Rushworth Museum

rushworthmuseum — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:05:37 +0000

Now on display is a collection of military items and some trench art which are on loan to the Museum from two private collectors.These items are well worth while paying a visit to the Rushworth museum to see.

Military Display at Rushworth Museum

rushworthmuseum — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:04:22 +0000

Now on display at the Rushworth Museum is a fine display of military item.

Also a number of trench art item which were made by service personal while overseas on active service.

All these items are on loan from 2 local private collectors,and they are items which have attracted lots of comments from our visitors.

Admission is still only a gold coin donation.

Rushworth Wizard Has a new home

rushworthmuseum — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:55:25 +0000

The Wizard now has a new shelter it is on the corner of Parker Street and High Street opposite the Museum .
this has proved to be a very popular place to display the Wizard, and has created lots of interest, with the many visitors who can view in its shelter at any time.

Rushworth Wizard Steam Traction Engine.

rushworthmuseum — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:25:12 +0000

More Photos of the Steam Traction Engine

Rushworth Wizard Steam Engine

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

Opening times

rushworthmuseum — Tue, 31 May 2011 10:26:50 +0000

The Rushworth Museum wishes to advise that the opening times for the Museum

Saturday 11.00 am to 1.00pm and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

Other times by advanced appointments.

Group visitors are very welcome.

Admission price is a gold coin donation.

Contact Phone numbers are 03 58561951 or 0358561454.

E-mail rushworthmuseum AT hotmail DOT com

Photos from the 2011 Rushworth Easter Parade

rushworthmuseum — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:25:59 +0000

To view the Rushworth Easter Parade follow this link.

rushworthmuseum — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:49:53 +0000

TRACTION ACTION

The Risstrom Fowler Steam Traction Engine was built in Leeds, England,in 1907.

George Risstrom purchased it 7 years later from the Dwyer family in Murchison. George used it mainly to for hauling firewood out of the forest to the Rushworth Railway yard. During the off season it was used for chaff cutting, threshing and house removals. The Lloyd brothers house on the corner of Old Tatura Road and A”Beckett St and Floss Collard’s Home in Stanhope Road were amongst some of those moved. During the mid 30’s the Risstrom Engine was used as motive power for milling fence droppers in the forest. This was continued until the late 1930’swhen a permanent Sawmill was established at the rear of the property in Murchison Road from where the mill still operates.On leaving school, Ron and his brothers Doug, Jack, and Roy all worked with their father George on the wood with the Fowler Steam Traction Engine

This engine was one of about 9 traction Engines working in the area in the early part of the century until the 1930’s. These all had to be registered with the Country Road Board to allow them to be used on the roads When the Engine’s were going between Rushworth and Whroo they would blow their whistles at the Whistle Post on the Whroo Rushworth Road to warn horse teams of their approach, as the Engines had right of way. Only 2 whistle posts remain and the Whroo Rd one is classified by the National Trust.

In those days there were no weight restrictions signs and the Risstrom Steam Traction Engine often accidently crashed through small bridges on local roads, causing many nervous and anxious moments. Particularly nerve racking was crossing the Waranga Western Channel! Ron knows of at least seven bridges the traction Engine broke through.

From the 1930’s and for many years later, a great joy for school children each year was to be taken by Traction Engine out to the Waranga Basin for their annual Sunday School Picnic.

In recent times the Engine was a popular exhibit at the “Moora Muster” puffing away and giving rides to the endless queues of excited passengers.Ron would fire the engine up for the Kindergarten Children who would be taken around the mill riding in the wood grate. The last social function for the traction engine was the Rushworth Remembers Festival in April 1998 where it delighted children and adults alike as it trundled up and down High Street with its whistle blowing.

Ron Risstrom has been offered many thousands more for this engine from overseas buyers. But because of his love of the Engine and his desire to keep it in the town Rushworth, he is willing to sell it to the Museum for only $30,000 which we believe is an extremely generous donation to the town and its Citizens.Keeping this wonderful Engine, which is such a great part of Rushworth’s unique history, in the town, depends on your generosity and desire for your children’s children to view this part of your history.Today there is 3 Rushworth men who have certificates to enable them to operate the Rushworth Wizard , it can be seen taking a part in the Annual Rushworth Easter Parade.

Mr Ron Risstrom interviewed by Lorraine Rule for and on behalf of the Rushworth and District Historical and Preservation Society. Inc No A 6401 v

Rushworth & District Historical Society Book Sales

rushworthmuseum — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:22:41 +0000

Rushworth & District Historical Society Book Sales

For those in our community interested in our region’s history, the Rushworth & District Historical Society have the following books for sale. Both books have been difficult to obtain for some years but are now once more available:

‘Walls of Wire’ by Joyce Hammond at $30.00 Plus Postage

This book covers in considerable detail the arrival in the Rushworth, Tatura and Murchison districts thousands of Axis prisoners of war and civilian detainees during the early years of World War 2. Joyce Hammond also describes in detail and with considerable sympathy the personal problems undergone by both military and civilian detainees, their interaction with both their indifferently trained Australian military guards and their generally good relationship with the local people of Rushworth, Murchison and Tatura. Many real friendships with local people were forged during these years involving German and Italian prisoners – both military and civilian – which in many cases have lasted to this day.

In 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War 2, the Vienna Mozart Boys’ Choir was just completing a tour of America, New Zealand and Australia. The performances of these talented youngsters dressed in their white naval uniforms and aged between nine and fourteen years had charmed Australians. But their ship due to return them to Germany was eventually interned in Fremantle in West Australia. The boys were tragically separated from their families in Austria – which became part of the ‘Greater German Reich’. Following five to six years internment in Australia, and the destruction of their homes by allied bombing and Soviet army occupation in Austria and Germany, many of these boys would never see their parents or their homes again.

As a side-note, whilst stationed in Penang, Malaysia, in the early seventies, Heather and I enjoyed a performance of the Vienna Boy’s Choir then touring the Far East, little realizing that perhaps thirty years later we would be living in an area where a significant part of their history was played out.

History of The Waranga Basin by Joyce Hammond at $18.00 Plus postage

This is an early history of the development of the Waranga Goldfields region which would later incorporate the Rushworth and Whroo townships. Although the township of Waranga and many of the houses and properties which were once thriving family homes within the bounds of land are now submerged beneath the waters of ‘Waranga Basin’, many of the family names are still prominent in this area.

Joyce Hammond’s book is rich in photographs of the old homesteads and the prominent personalities who shaped the history of Rushworth and its environs. Although this is not a large book, nor is it particularly ‘thick’ at only 48 pages, it’s well bound and for me at least, an historical ‘must have’.

Mike Wellington

President

Rushworth & District Historical Society

Steam Traction Engine

rushworthmuseum — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 07:26:32 +0000

The Rushworh Wizard recently made a trip to Echuca to take part in the Annual Echuca Steam Rally.

Where it was a very popular display and was the subject for many photos taken at the rally.

The Wizard was once owned by Ron Ristrom and was used to haul many heavy loads about in the Rushworth district.

Steam Traction Engine

rushworthmuseum — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:32:10 +0000

The Rushworth Wizard Steam Traction Engine is one of the many high lights of the Easter Street parade.

The author is seeking more details and they will be published soon.