Golden Downs forestry village - Part 1

Robyn Parkes

In 1919, land at Golden Downs was cut up for a discharged soldiers settlement. Among those successful in the draw were Mr Anglesey, Stanley Blow, Noel Fynmore, James Pagan, James White and Mr Gibbs. Also living in the area was John Disher and Mr King, who, for some years, became completely shut in by state forest but were well known for their help in the early days of forestry.

When it was identified that the Golden Downs area was chosen for a forestry industry, much of the land was purchased back by the Government. Blow’s homestead was purchased in 1927 and became the site of the first headquarters, camp and nursery. Following the sale of Blow’s, many of the other farmers in the area also sold their properties to the Forestry Department.  Alan Newton was appointed as the first ranger in charge of the Golden Downs Forest. Over the ensuing years, 16 other camps were established.

The advent of World War II meant manpower and resource shortages so through this period work slowed, but when the war ended the Forest Service planned for a bigger workforce and normal forest operations.

Pre-1945, housing accommodation was scattered, and it was realised that there needed to be more centralisation for those working in the forest industry.  The grouping together of people would also allow for a strong community spirit to develop bringing comradery, contentment and stability, so in 1946 a new village was laid out and surveyed. By March 1949, water, sewerage, reticulation and sealing of roads at the junction of the Valley and Stock roads was completed.

The first six houses were built and occupied by March 1949, with another eight in the process of being built. Two dormitories for tradesman and single forest workers, and a service block were built alongside the village setting, along with a new office, recreation hut and garage workshop.  By late 1950 the population was around 230.

With a growing population at the village, the community began to look at generating their own social and sporting opportunities.  To achieve this, a committee to oversee sporting, recreational and social events was needed, and from this the Golden Downs Rural Recreation and Social Committee was formed. A monthly newspaper, The Golden Downs Chronicle, began to be circulated informing residents of social events and activities at the village including sports results, church news, dances, club activities, advertisements for local services, births, deaths and marriages, and general gossip.

A women’s club, with its purpose being to have a common ground in which to further the community spirit among the women of the Downs began under the presidency of Mrs C. Bridgeman.  This club were responsible for a huge number of events and generating ideas that benefited not only the women but all residents.

Dances occurred frequently over the years at the hall with music supplied by the Golden Downs orchestra. Some dances were held purely for social purposes, many in conjunction with clubs and some for purposes of raising funds for a purpose.

Films were popular with the film committee running them twice a week in the hall. Children’s Christmas parties were organised each year and a library was established, firstly housed in a room at the main camp, opening on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday for an hour.