History Parkes

stories, photos, anecdotes….. sharing the past

James McGirr – from Parkes to Premier

One of more famous surnames within the Parkes Shire is McGirr. The McGirrs were among the pioneers of Parkes and their influence was great not just in Parkes but also … Continue reading →

May 31, 2019 · 2 Comments
Photograph of an ANZAC Day service at Bogan Gate with a poppy - the symbol synonymous with Remembrance Day worldwide. Source: State Library Archives and Australian War Memorial website

Bogan Gate War Memorial

Most, if not all, country towns have a war memorial. A monument to commemorate those who made the supreme sacrifice; war memorials began after the First World War and have … Continue reading →

April 17, 2019 · 2 Comments
Images source: (left) Portrait of 402745 Flight Sergeant (later Pilot Officer) Rawdon Hume Middleton VC, RAAF, attached to No. 149 Squadron RAF from Australian War Memorial website; (centre) UK. C. 1942. Portrait of 402745 Flight Sergeant R. H. Middleton VC, taken while he was undergoing training from Australian War Memorial website; and emblem of Middleton Public School, taken from school website.

Rawdon Middleton VC

The term ‘hero’ is an over-used and often inaccurate phrase allocated to popular celebrities and champions of sport. However Rawdon Middleton is a hero in the truest sense – a … Continue reading →

April 2, 2019 · Leave a comment

HMAS Parkes

The legacy of Sir Henry Parkes continues beyond the naming of the town and shire known as Parkes. A minesweeper during the Second World War was named after the town … Continue reading →

February 15, 2019 · 2 Comments
Front cover of Cliff Kearney's book about his cousin, Flying Officer Keith Kearney of Bogan Gate. Source: db Books website which can be found at https://www.dbbooks.com.au/p/17903/Flying-Officer-from-Bogan-Gate---Cliff-Kearney---sc---*signed*.html

The Flying Officer from Bogan Gate

The story of Keith Kearney, a young lad from Bogan Gate, is similar to many others of his era. With life opening its doors of possibilities, the Second World War … Continue reading →

December 21, 2018 · Leave a comment
Title picture of the larger than life personality that was Cecil 'Cec' Pepper. Clockwise from left: Cecil Pepper and Keith Miller walk out to bat during 1940s; author Ken Piesse in Parkes promoting the life story of Cec Pepper; front cover of Ken Piesse's book about Cec Pepper; and photograph of Sir Garfield Sobers and Cecil Pepper in the late 50s.

Cec Pepper: The Parkes Lad Too Spicy for Bradman

Title picture of the larger than life personality that was Cecil ‘Cec’ Pepper. Clockwise from left: Cecil Pepper and Keith Miller walk out to bat during 1940s; author Ken Piesse … Continue reading →

December 19, 2018 · 1 Comment

Len Unger – 100 years in the Parkes Shire

PLEASE NOTE: The oral history recording of Len Unger was conducted on his 100th birthday in his room at Rosedurnate Aged Care Plus Centre. There are activities within the building, … Continue reading →

November 21, 2018 · Leave a comment
Photograph of signage at Armstrong Park by Dan Fredericks (Parkes Shire Library) taken on February 15th, 2018

Armstrong Park

Nestled within the leafy, eastern side of Parkes, is a park that junior cricketers frequent on a Saturday. It also contains the only public basketball court in town. Originally known … Continue reading →

August 29, 2018 · Leave a comment
Some of the images of November 1953 from Parkes and around the world. Clockwise from top left: Hungary and England walk out at Wembley on 25 November 1953. England lose at home for the first time 6-3 in what is now known as the Match of the Century; Dean Martin's "That's Amore" - now a signature song of his - first debuted in 1953 and was one of the most popular singles for the year; the Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket, piloted by Scott Crossfield, becomes the first manned aircraft to reach Mach 2 on November 20; "The Robe" was one of the most popular films of 1953, earning an estimated $32 million worldwide; a local advertisement for pre-cut homes in 5 designs by local builders Vanderfield & Reid; a selection of women's fashion for 1953; Melbourne Cup winning jockey, Jack Purtell, watches on as Governor-General William Slim makes the presentation; November 9 saw the death of Welsh poet and author, Dylan Thomas; and one of the Parkes department stores, McGlynn's, advertising their new Toyland - just seven weeks before Christmas!

A Look Back At…. November 1953

Some of the images of November 1953 from Parkes and around the world. Clockwise from top left: Hungary and England walk out at Wembley on 25 November 1953. England lose … Continue reading →

July 31, 2018 · 1 Comment
Three images from 1990 (from left) cassette cover of Smash Hits 1990; screenshot of Microsoft's Windows 3.0 and FA Cup Final Replay programme

A Look Back At…. May 1990!

A Look Back At…. May 1990 Continuing our series of blog posts focusing on a particular period in the history of the Parkes Shire. This post looks at the month … Continue reading →

June 1, 2018 · Leave a comment

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