No. 14 – November, 2011… Bob Brownlee
Hello Farina Group Supporters,
Toms message:
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our Supporters.
2012 Volunteer Participation at Farina. It is time to specifically request information from all volunteers of their intention to participate in the 2012 program at Farina.
Working group dates for 2012
Week 1 Sunday April 22 to Saturday April 28
Week 2 Sunday April 29 to Saturday May 5
Week 3 Sunday May 6 to Saturday May 13
ANZAC Day is on Wed 25 April and the Farina Festival Day on Sat/Sun 13/14 May.
The Dawn Service at the War Memorial on Anzac Day will be followed by a traditional “gunfire” breakfast. There will be a GOLF Competition on for an Anzac Day (ladies and gents). Please tell us if you can bring a 5 iron and a putter (or your Bag) and be part of it. There is a request for information on the questionnaire about golf.
Volunteers will be able to nominate the days that they wish to stay in Farina. Those wishing to attend the special days at both ends of the program may wish to leave and do some travelling for some time in the middle weeks and return.
Again there is scope for each person’s skills and energy. We stress that the input level and time must be regulated personally according to ones condition: it can be -hour on – hour off or half-day stints and lay days. (All the weekends are rest days) We can effectively use stays of any duration to fit your touring program.
Because of 2011 overloading of Shearers Quarters Services, we will be limiting that area to 15 campsites and reserving a selected area of the campground as an optional volunteers area, but with access to Shearers Quarters for laundry, showers, campfire, morning teas and lunches. I have a feeling happy hours and campfires will happen at either or both or rostered locations. That campground does have its own special appeal with shade and grass. (Limited power may be available).
2012 Works Program
A new precinct along the creek “the Early Settlement Precinct”. We have located wells, bores, and storages from the 1860-1870’s and remnants of the original township pre dating Farina, which we will define and tell the story.
Exciting extension to railway precinct with Pichi Richi group at Quorn possibly providing sheep and cattle trucks (needing renovation) and teaching us to lay railway lines. This is currently under discussion.
Continuing to restore the iconic stone buildings in the town, which define the town of Farina including restoring the best-preserved residence “Moffatts House”.
Further activity with the bakery serving tourists, the Leigh Creek police, and the Bakery café.
Emphasis and need for hosting tourists (and Volunteers) as our township scope expands.
Renovating the GOLF Course for an Anzac Day Local and District and lay day Competition. Please tell us if you can bring a 5 iron and a putter (or your Bag) and be part of it.
Continuing works on the railway precinct to define the cattle yards and the sheep loading area.
Restore streets in the town to present some of the street grid system.
Planning and preliminary works for the Amenity block for the campground at Farina Station to provide facilities to encourage tourist busses to come to Farina.
The woolshed joinery and metalworking workshop will again be busy: more pergolas and signs, and also train rolling stock restoration.
Farina Promotion
We will be promoting Farina at both the Adelaide Feb 22nd to 26th inc (Adelaide Showgrounds) and Melbourne March 8th to 13th (Caulfield Racecourse) – Caravan Shows. . FRG greatly appreciates the extensive support being offered to our project from the Victorian and South Australian Caravan Industries Associations. Help is needed for people to be there on the show days. Peter Harris (08 8431 6030) will co-ordinate SA, Lindsay Gould (03 9729 1236) will coordinate Melbourne. Hours are likely to be 10am to 5pm and we need a minimum of 3 staff per day to provide relief. We have an effective Display Kit plus handouts and book sales. You will be surprised at the level of interest: it is a good volunteer recruitment opportunity also. Staff can be in half-day units to suit individuals. Ring your local co-ordinator and discuss.
2011 DVD
A DVD of 2011 program will be available shortly. This will be mailed free of charge to all 2011 participants. The Farina Supporters who did not participate in the program at Farina this year should send a cheque for $5 to Tom Harding (address above) to covering supply, packing and postage, It will also be available at the Caravan show stands.
Regards, Tom
News Items
The Farina Cemetry:
You can see the work that the Newson cemetery team accomplished in 2010 and additional name entries in November 2010 on the www. The Australian Cemetery Index have copied our boards at the cemetery. To see their entry click on australian cemetery index farina. search for Farina, They have acknowledged the work of the Farina Restoration Group.
SA History Story
Pauline Cockrill of South Australian History has written a story about us which can be seen at by clicking Here.