Town presents its historic story

IF you’re curious about the history behind the broader Rokewood district, there’s a brand-new town resource ready and set – in the ground – to help.

Earlier in the month, the Rokewood & District History Board was established on Ferrars Street, produced by the local Community Planning Group committee, with assistance from designer Liz Skrokov.

Committee member Jo Sibbison said it has been installed near the gazebo, hoping visitors who stop by will enjoy reading about the town’s railways, health, cemetery, gold rush period, Cobb and Co transport, churches, farming, education, and area as it is now.

“It talks about when the town was gazetted and that it was mainly a farming area, what year the gold rush started here, our bluestone church, its architect and how it was built,” she said.

“There’s also information about some of our pioneer families that settled out here, so it highlights some of the more interesting facts about this town, where there is so much history.”

Some senior residents of the Rokewood district have shared information and their experiences to assist with the committee’s research, as did a few key families.

“John Carr and his family, and the Bingleys have been in the district for generations.

“Lawrence and Heather Butler were very helpful with information, Julie Donaghy was a great help to us with history on Dereel, and our committee’s Tony Long, with all his historic photos,” Ms Sibbison said.

To complete the board, Rokewood’s Community Planning Group was financially backed by seed funding from the Golden Plains Shire, and grassroots grants, including two from West Wind Energy who run the Golden Plains Wind Farm.