Glen Innes, located in the New England
region of New South Wales, Australia, is a town with charm, and history dating back to the early 1800s.
The town was named after Archibald Clunes Innes, a pastoralist and former Commandant of Port Macquarie penal colony.
The Ngarabal People
The Ngarabal are an Aboriginal people of the
area from Ashford, Tenterfield and Glen Innes. They called the area "Hol'pin", meaning many casuarinas near a large plain.
As regards ritual or ceremonial and “ornamental” surgery, I saw no natives with the septum nasi pierced. The Ngarrabul Blacks told me that neither circumcision nor knocking out the incisor teeth was practised in their tribe, nor was that remarkable rite, urethrotomy or mutilation of the penis, described amongst other Australian people. Scarification of the body (erroneously termed ‘ tattooing”), however, was performed after attaining adult years. It was entirely optional, and members of either sex could be so adorned if they felt disposed—an advantage that some at least did not avail themselves of. The form and distribution of the lines, etc., made by this operation differed materially in different tribes, and travellers say that many tribes could be thus easily distinguished by the bodily markings of their members.
Obstetrics in Ngarrabul were quite simple. The female relatives, sister, mother or grandmother, looked after the patient and her baby. The men knew but little about such matters, and held aloof.
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| A woomera is an Australian Aboriginal wooden spear -throwing device. |
Ngarrabul and other aboriginal tribes. Part Iby
J Macpherson, 1903
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/6320685#page/783/mode/1up
1818
In 1818, John Oxley, surveyor of Australia,
explored the Liverpool Plains. The southern end of the plains became known as "New England".
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| Portrait of John Oxley, 1810, by unknown, watercolour, State Library of New South Wales, MIN 306 |
1830sIn 1838, the first squatter came to the Glen Innes district.
Glen Innes district was called Stonehenge Station, which was occupied by Thomas Hewitt in 1838 for Archibald Boyd making him the first settler in the district.
Two stockmen with long flowing beards, William Chandler and John Duval, were among the first European settlers of the district from 1838. And they were called the Beardies, because they introduced other squatters to the region it became known as the “Land of the Beardies.” (now is the title of the Glen Innes Museum)
1840s
Archibald Clunes Innes became bankrupt in the depression of the 1840s, the station was taken over by the Bank of Australasia who later sold it to Archibald Mosman (Sydney suburb was named).
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| Archibald Clunes Innes |
1850s
......in January, 1854. When he came toGlen Innes they were building a wood-
en store for Fletcher and Ross. The
town was a very small place then. Mr.
James Martin had a store and the post
office, and the rest of the settlement was really nothing but a few huts.
The old Beverley Arms Hotel was where the present
Great Central is now. It was later
called the Telegraph. The hotel was
kept by Mr. Regan,
The police quarters were moved
from Wellingrove to Glen Innes in
1858. The lock-up was a small one and
could only hold six prisoners.
The first flower mill was put up by
the late Mr. P. H. Henderson in the
mill paddock, about 1857 or '58.
Archibald Mosman
owned Furracabad, Mr. Walter Neild
being manager. Major Innes first took
up Furracabad Station, and GlenInnes
was named after him.
EARLY STATIONS.
Mr. Oswald Bloxsome owned Ran-
ger's Valley and Dundee, Captain Dit-
mas reigned at Clareveaulx.Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954)
Glen Innes was gazetted as a town in 1852 and the first lots were sold in 1854. The first hotel in Glen Innes was likely the Telegraph Hotel, established in 1854. (later replaced by the Great Central Hotel in 1874)
The post office was established in August 1854 and the court in 1858.
In 1859, a basic four-roomed building for Court of Petty Sessions.was built.
1860s
The "first road" to Glen Innes was built in the 1860s, known as the Old Glen Innes Road or Old Grafton to Glen Innes
Road, connecting the New England tablelands to the coast.
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| BLANKET DAY" FOR THE ABORIGINALS AT THE GLEN INNES COURT HOUSE IN 1864, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), |
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| Newcastle Chronicle (NSW : 1866 - 1876), Wednesday 12 February 1868 ("Thunderbolt Glen" refers to an area near Glen Innes, New South Wales, that is associated with the famous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt (Frederick Ward). |
1860s
In 1866, the population was around 350, with a telegraph station, lands office, police barracks, courthouse, post office and two hotels.
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| The First Hotel (Regan's 'Telegraph'. Glen Innes, NSW, OLD GLEN INNES (1939, October 14). Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), |
1870s
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| In Grey Street - Glen Innes, NSW, 1870, SLNSW. PD |
Tin was discovered in the district in the 1870s.
The Court House opened in 1873-4.
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| Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 22 March 1873 |
Glen Innes Masonic Lodge began in 1874.
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Wednesday 26 May 1875 |
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Wednesday 26 May 1875 |
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Wednesday 26 May 1875 |
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Wednesday 26 May 1875 |
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| Town Hall, Glen Innes, NSW, 1870s, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) |
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| Looking from Wentworth Street North along Grey Street - Glen Innes, NSW, 1875, SLNSW, PD |
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| Corner Wentworth and Grey Streets - Glen Innes, NSW, 1875, SLNSW, PD |
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| MESSRS. H. & R. A. LEWIS' STORE, GLEN INNES, NEW ENGLAND, Illustrated Sydney News and New South Wales Agriculturalist and Grazier (NSW : 1872 - 1881), Wednesday 12 January 1876 |
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| The first Glen Innes Hospital, NSW. And Dr Wrigley |
The old Glen Innes Hospital dates back to 1877.
1880s
John Frederick Utz, a storekeeper from Germany, established the Sunlight Flour Mill at Glen Innes in 1881, and was mayor of the municipality in 1883.
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Tuesday 17 April 1883, |
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| Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW : 1874 - 1908), Tuesday 17 April 1883 |
The Great Northern Railway arrived in 1884.In 1884 the
streets were illuminated by 25 gas lamps, lit by Lamplighter Henry Wheeler.
Kwong Sing’s store opened in 1886 by Mr Wong Chee.
Henry Parkes opened the Town Hall in Glen Innes in 1888.
1890s
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| Glen Innes, NSW, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Saturday 24 July 1897 |
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| First fire brigade in Glen Innes - Glen Innes, NSW, 1888, SLNSW, PD |
1900s
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Town Hall, Glen Innes, NSW, The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Sat 15 Sept 1900
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| Glen Innes Post and telegraph Office, NSW, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 September 1900 |
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| Glen Innes Police Courts, NSW, Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 15 September 1900 |
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Public School, Glen Innes, NSW, The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946) Sat 15 Sept 1900
 | | The old Glen Innes Hospital, NSW, no date |
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| Dr Macpherson exhibited an aboriginal stone'chisel weighing 100 turned up by the plough at Beaufort, near Glen Innes such implements were in use by the Ngarrabul tribe in shaping the handles of shields back were made from the good of the black kurrajong LINNEAN SOCIETY. (1902, May 2). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) |
Glen Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory Station was established as ‘The Glen Innes Experiment Farm’ (later ‘New England Experiment Farm’) in 1902. Initially, the aims of the station were: To study the agricultural and pastoral problems of the Northern Tablelands. To produce improved varieties of agricultural and pastoral plants. To improve methods of culture and
management of crops, pastures and livestock
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| M'INTYRE'S COACH LEAVING GLENINNES ON A WET DAY, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 25 July 1903, |
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| A bush home near Glen Innes, NSW, Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 29 April 1903 |
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| Matron and two of the nurses of the GLEN INNES HOSPITAL.Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 22 March 1905 |
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| Glen Innes, NSW, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 1 July 1905 |
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| Glen Innes, NSW, Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 22 March 1905 |
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| OFFICE OF THE "GLEN INNESGUARDIAN."OFFICE OF THE "GLEN INNES EXAMINER."Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 1 July 1905 |
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| Glen Innes, NSW, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 1 July 1905 |
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| Cissing and Rutherford, Grocers in Glen Innes, N.S.W. - 1908, Kaye |
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| Stacey's Business, Glen Innes, NSW, Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 3 February 1909 |
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| WILLIAMS' CLUB HOTEL. GLEN INNES, NSW. Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Wednesday 3 February 1909 |
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| Public School, Glen Innes, N.S.W.- circa 1912, Kaye |
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| The new Students' Quarters, Government Experiment Farm. Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 21 February 1912 |
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Glen Innes Football Team, NSW, Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 24 September 1913
,Back Row, Reading from Left to Right — W. Elkirigton, H. Legge, D. Poulter, F. Tremble, J. McGregor, J. Pedlow. Middle Row— H. Watts, H. Heavener, D. Neal, G. Griffin, K. McDonald, 'S. Bliss, J. Williams. Sitting— F. Spence, R. Jones. |
WW1
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Trooper Claude Loudsale son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lonsdale,
Glen Innes, Aged 24 Years.Killed in Action..Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Thursday 1
July 1915 |
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| The Church of England And Catholic Church, Glen Innes, NSW, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 21 July 1915 |
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Grey St, Glen Innes, NSW, Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 21 July 1915
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A GLEN INNES FAMILY RECORD.
Mrs. Heydon, of Glen Innes, has the proud distinction of having fifteen grandchildren
as well as one son who have responded to the call of duty. See
hereSunday Times (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1930), Sunday 3 December 1916, page 9
LAST OF HER HER TRIBE
ANOTHER QUEEN DIES
"Queen Fanny," who had ruled over the Oban tribe of aboriginals for the past forty years, died in the Glen Innes Hospital the other day. "Queen Fanny," who was sixty-five years of age at the time of her death, was practically the last of her tribe. The Oban blacks were, in the early days, a very formid-able and hostile tribe, numbering several hun-dred, and early pioneers experienced great difficulty in coping with their marauding expeditions.
Traces of early troubles are still to be seen in the manner in which the old home steads in the district are built — the plan adopted resembling a system of blockhouses, for mutual protection. The late Andrew Coventry had some very trying experiences with the Oban natives, who made periodical raids on his cattle, apparently delighting in seeing the infuriated beasts running about with spears in their sides. On one occasion the blackfellows killed one of his stockmen. When the natives eventually became tamed they began to disappear very rapidly, in fact to this day where one bulk of the tribe went to is something of a mystery. Of late years the remnant of the tribe, numbering about a score all told, has been engaged in marsupial trapping near the Oban River, and they also obtain gold from the river. It is stated that before the white people ever came to New England, a big nugget was discovered by one of the blacks and rolled into a water hole. Later, when the blacks ascertained the value of gold, a search was made for the nugget but it has never been discovered, although to this day the natives have a hope of finding the treasure. |
| Glen Innes War Time Tea Room — Committee and Helpers. .The War Time Tea Room and Produce Depot was opened in the main street of Glen Innes on October 7, 1915, by a number of voluntary workers, for the purpose of raising funds to send to the War ChestAustralian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Wednesday 26 July 1916 See names here |
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| 'Armistice Day' in Grey Street, Glen Innes, New South Wales, 11 November 1918, SLNSW |
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| Anzac Day March, Glen Innes, NSW, ca. 1919, SLNSW |
1920s
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| Grey Street, Glen Innes, N.S.W. - circa 1920, Kaye |
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Tattersall's Hotel at Glen Innes, N.S.W. - 1920s. The original Tattersalls Hotel, built on the site of the Commercial Hotel in 1875 by Glen Innes' second mayor, Samuel Bowler Redgate. Kaye
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| Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 2 February 1921 |
The Power House to provide electricity began
operation on 21 August 1922.
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| Glen Innes Soldiers' Settlement Estate, NSW, Dated: by 31/12/1921, www.records.nsw.gov.au/ PD |
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| Title: Grey Street, Glen Innes. Dated: No date, www.records.nsw.gov.au/ PD |
Glen Iness CWA was formed in 1923. In 1924 they purchased a cottage for £625 with seven-rooms to also provide rest rooms. That year 206 women used the rooms, including 82 expectant mothers and 13 ill women.
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| Country Women's Hockey Carnival, Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 8 June 1929 |
The Powerhouse 1929 Crossley Premier and the 1937 Bellis & Morcom 22A engines
1930s Grey
Street, Glen Innes, N.S.W. - circa 1930, Kaye
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THE UNEMPLOYED £550 F OB GLEN INNES WATER SUPPLY SCHEME, Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), Saturday 9 August 1930
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| Devons which carried off all the main prizes in their section at Glen Innes for Mr. C. D. Judge, of Ben Lomond, Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 23 March 1932 |
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THE EXECUTIVE OF THE GLEN INNES BRANCH OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETY.Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Saturday 5 May 1934 |
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| Glen Innes, NSW, about 1930s, PD, Kaye |
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| The original Bank at Glen Innes, NSW, was built ca.1874. This Bank building was built in 1929. Queensland University of Technology, 1935 |
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| Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Thursday 12 August 1937. (Roxy, demolished) |
1940s
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| Glen Innes Butter Factory, NSW, Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Thursday 29 February 1940, |
GLEN INNES AIRMAN PRISONER OF WAR IN GERMANY.Those in the group are :
Standing (left to right). Ian Mclntosh, Fowler, McColm, Kerwin Doyle. Sitting deft to right): Cornish and Mulligan..Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Saturday 7 March 1942
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| Acting Squadron-Leader Peter J. Turnbull, of Glen Innes, who is reported missing in air operationsin New Guinea.Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 2 September 1942 |
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Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 19 June 1949
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Where They Live :' Seventeen aborigines — seven adults and ten children are 1iving in these humpies on Glen Inncs Common. ,Glen Innes Municipal Council this week decided to ask for tlis removal of the aboriginal families living in crude, unsanitary cciiditions on The Common to 'a place where strict supervision can be given towards making thek lives more comfortable.'Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Friday 17 June 1949 |
1950s
 Grey Street, Looking South, Glen Innes, NSW, RAHS |
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| First brick of the Glen Innes hospital laid. Messrs. E. S.'Clementson) , Sister Sturttridge, Matron Noonan, a workman and Mr. Tratt. .Glen Innes Examiner (NSW : 1908 - 1954), Friday 21 March 1952, |
Around Glen Innes
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| Glen Innes, NSW |
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| The Glen Innes Town Hall was built and opened in 1888, though some sources suggest it was built in 1887. |
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| Imperial Hotel Glen Innes, NSW, constructed 1901 |
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| The Great Central Hotel was established in 1874 and is one of the oldest commercial buildings in Glen Innes, NSW |
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| The Railway Hotel, GLEN INNES, NSW, opened in March 1885 |
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| Club Hotel in Glen Innes, NSW, built 1906 |
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| St Joseph's Convent, Built in 1916 it was initially used as a convent for the Glen Innes Catholic School |
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| The Kwong Sing War general store in Glen Innes, established by Wong Chee in 1886 |
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| Westpac Bank was built 1884-1885, formerly the Australian Joint Stock Bank, Australian Bank of Commerce and Bank of New South Wales. Victorian Italianate with bay windows. |
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| Created in 1991/92, the Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes Highlands is the national monument to Celtic people |
Things To Do and Places To Go
Heritage Walk ( more than 30 heritage-listed buildings)
MuseumThe social organization of Australian tribes
Ngarrabul and other aboriginal tribes. Part I
"Thunderbolt Glen"is an area near Glen Innes, New South Wales, that is associated with the famous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt (Frederick Ward).
Minerama, a gem and fossicking festival
Australian Celtic Festival, Land of the Beardies Festival
Kings Plains Castle Bed & Breakfast
Grey 
Grey Street, Looking South, Glen Innes, NSW, RAHS
