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- Ballarat Branch - |
2015 DatesSaturday 5th December Christmas Function Annual Bus TripSee photos from the 2014 Annual Bus Trip To view images from the 2013 Bus Trip follow this link. To view images from the 2012 Bus Trip follow this link. St Piran's Day 2015To View this years images See the 2013 Gallery
of Images
Previous Reports and Speakers2014 2012 2011 Ballarat LinksMore images of Maureen Fuller's visit to Ballarat in May 2013    Images from the 25th Anniversary  The Cake  Nita Receiving her Award  Robert and Award Recipients  Nita and Joy Cutting the Cake  Maureen Fuller - Grand Bard Images from the April Meeting  Miniature Steam Parade Trevithick Day 2012  Interior at Lound Church  Helen Helston presenting her Family History segment  John and Sandra Hosking with John Skewes |
Christmas Celebration 2015
Our Chairperson, Wendy Benoit welcomed everyone to the
meeting on Saturday 5th December, extending a
special welcome to members from Melbourne, Bendigo
and Geelong. |
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| During the evening, Derek Trewarne,
Vice President of the CAV, conveyed to members the
good wishes and apologies from the CAV President,
Beryl Curnow, who was recovering from surgery. Derek had the honour of presenting the John Mildren Award, for outstanding contribution to the Cornish Association, to a most deserving recipient in Ian Jennings. An original member, Ian had served the Ballarat Branch in many roles as Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Catering Officer. Well done Ian. Special Effort Winners: 1st $50 Craig's voucher - Keith Stodden 2nd Two DVDs - Elva Murray 3rd Chocolates - Rob Lloyd |
 Derek and Ian
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Visit to Tardnwarncoort
Twenty-eight Ballarat members travelling by small coach
(driven by member Jim Hocking) and in one car, joined
members from Geelong and Melbourne in a wonderful day
out on Saturday 24th October in the western District.
The Dennis family have farmed in this area since 1840
and have been responsible for the development of the
Polwarth breed of sheep. It was great to meet with the
current owners and tour their lovely home and garden in
perfect weather ??? a warm, sunny day with blue skies
and no wind.
To see the photo gallery of the day follow this link
Here is a sample of photos. Images
captured by Ted Curnow, Robyn Coates, Derek Trewarne and
John Morrish
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Robyn Coates - "The 39th: Ballarat's Adopted Battalion"
Robyn's interest springs from her grandfather's war
service followed by her father's service and their
participation in remembering and commemorating those who
served. Robyn explained the history of military training
in Australia since the Defence Acts of 1903-4 and later
in 1911 with the formation of cadet corps. She
explained what records were available and how they could
be accessed.
Her grandfather was Victor Roy Haines and she used his
story as an example to show enlistment, training,
embarkation, theatres of war, the awarding of a
Distinguished Conduct Medal, repatriation, life after
service and the commemorating of the 39th's record.
Robyn is featured in the photograph below with Licne
Stuchbury. The photos was taken when the first met
after each had been
Latest News from Cornwall - New Australian Bards 2015 |
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| Lenice Stuchbery and Ballarat/
Melbourne Member Robyn Coates on their appointment
as Bards of the Cornish Gorsedh 2015 for their continuing work for Cornwall in Australia. The photo was taken in Melbourne when they first met after they had been "Barded".
Well done. |
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| Robyn and Lenice
together for the first time since July |
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| See this website for the full list of Bards created in 2015 - http://www.gorsethkernow.org.uk/newbards2015.html | |
Alistair told us how Henry???s wife hid the bounty while she sat on the barrel while feeding the baby, hiding the barrel with her dress while the house was being searched.
Trish George read a poem that she had written about Henry BoBo George and also a poem by David Prowse.
June 13th AGM and Presentation by Beryl Curnow,
President of the CAV
The Annual Meeting was held on Saturday 13th June and
the President of the CAV, Beryl Curnow presided for the
Election of Office bearers for 2015-2016.
Chairperson - Wendy Benoit
Deputy Chairperson - Keith Lanyon
Administrative Secretary - Lorice Jenkin
Treasurer - Ian Jennings
Committee Members
Robyn Coates Bev
Hocking
John Hosking
Jill Hunter
Jeff Menhennet Joy Menhennet
John Mildren
Lenice Stuchbery
Thanks was extended to retiring Office bearers - Joy
Menhennet (Chairperson), Lenice Stuchbery (Secretary)
and Olive Hailes (Catering) and each was presented with
a colourful pot plant.
Lenice Stuchbery was presented with a Special
Certificate of Appreciation for her service to the
Ballarat Branch as Secretary for the past 19 years.
Annual reports were presented by Joy Menhennet, Ian
Jennings and Wendy Benoit.
 Beryl, Lorice and Wendy |
 A Thank- Gift to Lenice |
 Wendy and retiring President
Joy
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| The President of the CAV, Beryl
Curnow gave an entertaining presentation of time
spent in Cornwall whilst her husband Ted was
working as a Methodist Minister during 2003 to
2005. Ted was working in the Hayle-St Ives Circuit of the Methodist Church and they lived in both Hayle for 12 months and St Ives for 12 months forming many wonderful and lasting friendships. Beryl told us of ???settling in experiences??? of opening a new bank account, queuing on the roads at certain times of the day, trying to decipher the accent whilst talking on the phone and the clunk of the mail being delivered through the front door each day. Learning the local idioms was also a new experience - very poorly actually meaning that the person was quite unwell. The roads, lanes and driveways are all very narrow and it was a luxury to have a garage. |
 Beryl Curnow
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 Images by Ian Jennings |
When driving into their garage, Beryl and Ted had to
get out of the car and turn in the side mirrors before
completing the parking in the garage.
Festivals were energetically celebrated by the Cornish
and each town had its own local Festival.
The Cornish are very proud of their heritage and some
wake every day and thank the Lord that I am Cornish!
Harvest Festival was a special time in the churches with
local produce and flowers decorating the churches
magnificently.
Remembrance Day was always a solemn and sacred occasion.
When invited to someone???s home for a meal, a Cornish
pasty was often served. Vegetables such as onions,
parsnips and turnips grow well in Cornwall.
Church suppers often were a pasty in a brown paper bag
with a cup of white tea!
Beryl and Ted both enjoyed the beauty of Cornwall - the
rugged hills and dunes, the amazing farmland and the
beautiful beaches and rivers.
The weather at times was a trial with Cornwall
experiencing four distinct seasons.
Beryl concluded her talk by saying that her time spent
in Cornwall was an unforgettable experience.
Wendy Benoit thanked Beryl for her informative talk and
presented her with a copy of ???Our Heritage Our
Treasure???
April 4th - David Holman
Once more the members of Ballarat were thrilled to
welcome David Holman as our guest speaker.
David is the Membership Secretary of the Kernow Gorsedh
but also a globe-trotting Military Historian. His
visit to Ballarat was part of his recent trip which
included speaking in the USA and Canberra.
He chose as his topic, "Using British medals to help
fill out your family tree".
David gave us an outline of the history and use of
military awards and how to find records of Gallantry
Awards and medals. He brought and show us examples
from his collection.
We learnt for example that Medals were awarded to those
serving in the Armed Forces and also to civilians.
The main categories of awards are: Gallantry Awards;
Campaign Medals; Miscellaneous Awards
Gallantry Awards provoked much interest. All
ranks can be awarded a Victoria Cross but all other
crosses can only be awarded to officers whereas members
of other ranks can be awarded medals.
| Below are listed the Gallantry
Crosses and Orders: The Victoria Cross The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ??? After 1993 The George Cross The Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Cross ??? Until 1901 the Conspicuous Service Cross The Military Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross |
Below are listed the Gallantry
Medals: The Distinguished Conduct Medal The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal & The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) The George Medal The Distinguished Service Medal The Military Medal Distinguished Flying Medal Air Force Medal The British Empire Medal for Gallantry The Queen???s Gallantry Medal ??? Since 1974 The Meritorious Service Medal for Gallantry |
Below are 3 slides selected from the 28 David showed
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 David, Lenice and Joy
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 Robyn Coates, Anita De Little and Hazel Luke |
Joy Menhennet thanks David for his presentation and we
all thank those in the kitchen.
St Piran's Day 2015
In keeping with the Ballarat Cornish Association Branch
tradition, the biannual celebration of St Piran's day was
held on Saturday 7th March, but unlike other similar
occasions this one had been years in the making.To the enormous credit to the members of the Ballarat Branch committee a most important building in the history of Cornish settlement in the town was renamed to its original title of Carn Brea.
The building was built by Cornishman Cyrus Bath Retallack in the 1880s as his home, naming it Carn Brea 2 after a castle in Cornwall. Since then the mansion has had various names and is currently the home of the Ballarat Catholic University.
Saturday was not only a day to mark the life and work of St Piran but a joyful celebration at the Mair Street university campus where we were shown the plaque and information board to be mounted on the historic building.
Joy Menhennet said the name change meant a lot to the group, as it recognised the contribution the Cornish made to Ballarat's history.
Attendees included the Dean of the campus Dr Joe Fleming, Ballarat mayor John Philips, visitors from Melbourne, Bendigo and Geelong along with members of the Ballarat branch. In total 35 people witnessed the occasion, toured the mansion and partook of the specially made pasties and saffron cake.
Below is a sample of the images captured during the event by Leanne Lloyd and Arthur & Robyn Coates.
A full slide show is available by clicking this link.
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February 7th 2015
Wendy BenoitOn a very warm February afternoon, Wendy Benoit showed photos of her seven week trip, in 2014, to England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Blue skies, beautiful green country scenes and colourful gardens were prominent in many of the pictures.
Wendy???s holiday began in London and finished in London but not before spending time in Cornwall where she had her own guide in Elsie Ash.
Penzance, Zennor, Porthleven, Cape Cornwall (where Elsie was a Coast Watch member), St Michael???s Mount, Gulval, Pendeen, St Ives, Lands End and Mousehole were explored with Elsie or by local bus.
Wendy was installed as a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh at Thanckes Park, Torpoint and enjoyed the activities associated with the Gorsedh.
| She then spent two days with the
Grand Bard, Maureen Fuller, around Polperro and
Fowey as well as at Morwenstow and the legend of
Robert Stephen Hawker. On her return to London, Wendy took the Eurostar to Paris for a day trip. Lorice Jenkin Port Isaac (better known as Portwenn to Doc Martin viewers) was the first stop in Cornwall for Lorice Jenkin, having stopped in Devon to view the Dartmoor Ponies in the Dartmoor National Park. Lorice spoke about and showed photos of Port Isaac, home to Doc Martin; Chysauster Village. It is a group of courtyard houses, probably built between 100 BC and 3 AD; Rowena Cade???s Minack Theatre, with the back drop |
 Lorice, Wendy and Joy
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Bright blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds and rows of vines growing in chocolate brown soil made very pleasant pictures. She finished her presentation by showing us some examples of the narrow Cornish streets and roads.
President Joy Menhennet thanked both speakers and presented them with a miniature Ballarat Banner .