Gunning & District Historical Society

The name of Bredalbane Plains will forever resound in my bosom: Dr John Lhotsky 1834  King Ludwig 1st of Bavaria who provided the funds which enabled Dr John Lhotsky to explore the new world – including Breadalbane and Gunning, in 1834.  I have been unable to find any portraits of Dr Lhotsky.  This circa 1830 lithograph of Dr Lhotsky’s patron scanned by Franz Hanfstaegl: From Wikimedia Commons He Could’ve Been a Contender This article is part of a series on the Oolong Oologists; Oolong being a locality in the Gunning district and oology a branch of ornithology studying mainly eggs and nests – particularly popular in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Polish polymath, naturalist and vigorous self-promoter Dr John Lhotsky passed through the Gunning district in 1834, recording details of the people, landscape and wildlife that he encountered.  Before learning more about him I thought he would have been a strong contender for the title of First Oolong Oologi...

Alma Gertrude Alchin – Great Aunt by Garry Norman Smith Alma Gertrude Alchin Alma Gertrude Alchin was born at Gunning on 15 May 1909, the third-born daughter and eighth child of Edward Alchin (1863-1941) and Elizabeth Anne Alchin (nee Bailey) (1872-1964). Edward Alchin's land at Gunning was on portions 37 & 49, just outside the Village and  not far from the Gunning Permanent Common Alma was 11 years old when most of her family moved away from Gunning to Glenorie near Sydney, where her father operated an orchard. Prior to this time Alma was raised at the Alchin property “Rockdale”. In 1916 Alma and her family farewelled Alma’s oldest brother, William Edward Thomas Alchin (1893-1918) as he went off to war during World War 1; William died on 14 March 1918 in Belgium. Alma (right) with sisters (l-r) Ida, Marcella and Myra (seated) in the Glenorie orchard In 1928 Alma was bridesmaid for her sister Myra who married Albert Vic...

Myra Vera Alchin – Sibling of Roy Irwin Alchin by Garry Smith Myra Vera Watson (nee Alchin) & Albert Victor Watson 1928 Myra Vera Alchin was the second child of Edward Alchin (1863-1941) and Elizabeth Anne Alchin (nee Bailey) (1872-1964); she was born at Gunning on 17 February 1895. Myra was a member of the Methodist congregation of Gunning for all of her young life. In 1909 the 61st Anniversary of the Methodist Sunday-School was celebrated at the Gunning Methodist Church. Local children were to the fore during the celebrations; Myra joined young people from such families as Wheatley, Plumb, Crundwell and Alchin to present celebratory recitations and songs.  Myra recited “God’s Own”. In 1910, while her mother Elizabeth Alchin was taking out second prize for her gooseberry jam at the Gunning P. A. and I. Society 14th Annual Show, young Myra won second prize for her rainbow cake; the Alchins were regular contributors to such events. The 1916 Gunning Methodis...