Tocumwal is a town in the southern Riverina region of New South Wales. Has a populations of approximately 1,860 people.
Prior to European settlement, the Tocumwal area was inhabited by the Ulupna and Bangerang Aborigines. The first pastoral runs were established in the 1840s. The town was established in the early 1860s and recognised as a village in 1872. Tocumwal Post Office opened on 1 August 1868.
During the Second World War the town was the site of Royal Australian Air Force Station Tocumwal, which was a major Royal Australian Air Force training airfield and aircraft depot. Today, the airfield is a renowned gliding site.
After the war families were housed at the American air Force Hospital,the men travelled daily over the river to Yarroweyah to work on farms which they could then apply for under the soldier settlement scheme. The Hospital was on or next to Barooga Station. Living quarters were made in long Nissen huts, 3-4 in each with a shared bathroom. Single quarters were at the front and a cook was employed for them.
After the war ended, many of the Air Force houses in Tocumwal were disassembled and trucked to Canberra to be rebuilt and reused in new and inner city suburbs where they provided Government housing to workers coming from Melbourne and Sydney to construct the new Capital City. To this day they remain a distinctive architectural form in suburbs such as Ainslie.
So lots of history in this town.
These two photos are of the picnic area along the banks of the Murray River just over the border from Victoria to New South Wales.
Old tree across the road from the park, it would have many a story to tell.
A Murray Cod.
A real one maybe be caught just over the bank in the Murray River
Strutting along as these three Galahas.
Farm-ily lives in this district, I waved as we drove by.
Schön dieser alte Baum.
ReplyDeleteNoke
It is a lovely old tree - Noke.
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteI would so like to hear that tree's stories.
And the galah's bully boy swagger always makes me smile.
The galah's were great to watch, had me smiling.
DeleteI didn't know about the Nissan huts in Canberra. We had them here and there is at least one still in use a take away alcohol business. The early settlers loved planting peppercorn trees.
ReplyDeleteNeither did I know about those huts until I researched for my post - I guess there are heaps of things we don't know about the past in our country.
DeleteThose trees are a lovely tree.
Good story cultural with great images. I loved the last, with the birds in row.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Thanks.
DeleteThose parrots were lovely to watch :)
I think that you are going to be very equipped to write the definitive guide to Australian tourism!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know about that David :) I suppose pointers on our part can and could be given if asked.
DeleteIt's a good way to spend the day.
ReplyDeleteIt was for only about 30 minutes that stop along the journey.
DeleteThe old peppercorn tree brings back memories of my youthful days at good old Boomi
ReplyDeleteright up on the NSW/QLD border.
"Lousy Jacks" or sometimes called "Twelve Apostles" ( I am sure there were more than 12 in a flock) loved these trees for building their mud nests only to have we, kids, steal the eggs for Nature Study classes at the little 2 man teacher Primary school. Willy Wagtails also loved these trees for nesting, stealing their eggs was another "kettle of fish" - dive bombing by these miniature "stukkas" resulted in many a thud of said egg thief to ground zero!
The three galahs look like they are on the Duntroon Parade ground.
Great report, Margaret.
Colin
Thanks Colin.
DeleteAlways learning about the towns and cities we go through, and it's good to share with photos.
Thank you for the wonderful tour. Great pictures
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin.
DeleteI don't think I've seen a Galah before though here the only place I could see one is a zoo, such a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteAdam, they are a very lovely parrot we had one as a pet some years ago.
DeleteAnother pretty town and quite a bit of history too.
ReplyDeleteI love the galahs strutting along, that's very cute.
Those galahs look like they are marching off somewhere and meaning business in doing so :)
DeleteSounds like an interesting little town, liked the photos
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice town - and thanks.
DeleteThe Galahas have lovely colouring and look as if they behave in a comical manner.
ReplyDeleteThey were funny to watch, they meant business.
DeleteLove that tree
ReplyDeleteI knew you would.
DeleteInteresting history and I love that burly old tree.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous is the tree...we were parked right beside it.
Deletethat really IS an old tree. And a BIG fish. And the Gahalas are wonderful, just marching along.
ReplyDeleteYes, big things :)
DeleteI remember driving along beside the Murray, lovely part of Australia.
ReplyDeleteThe peppercorn trees do grow to a great size.
Merle.................
Many parts of the Murray River are very scenic.
DeleteI enjoyed reading the history. Such a pretty area by the river to picnic and/or fish. I've never seen any birds like that; very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful those parrots.
Deletewonderful area to explore lot about history .
ReplyDeletethe bank park is so beautiful .
you captured the lovely birds in a perfect motion
Lovely along that bank baili.
Deleteloved that old tree resembles to one back in my village .
ReplyDeletesuch old trees definitely have so much to share if one has time to breathe under
They are beautiful old trees.
DeleteFabulous pictures Margaret.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob.
DeleteYou covered Tocumwal's history very well!! Thanks for the share. If only I had known you were in town we could have met for a coffee. Ah well... there is always next time.
ReplyDeleteNext time if it works out that way..
DeleteOh isn't that old tree amazing ...what a story it could tell.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I bet it could tell many stories Jan.
Delete