Berrigan & District Heritage Museum

Berrigan & District Heritage Museum Museum housing an abundance of local & family history and memorabilia of the Berrigan district. Admission $5.00

: BERRIGAN CENTENARY FESTIVITIES, 1990 💯1990 marked 100 years since Berrigan was proclaimed a village, and on Thursday ...
12/06/2026

: BERRIGAN CENTENARY FESTIVITIES, 1990 💯
1990 marked 100 years since Berrigan was proclaimed a village, and on Thursday 31 May the town came together to celebrate the milestone with a day of celebration.

With the centenary committee only meeting for the first time 30 days before the celebrations, there was an amazing amount of materials on display and people turning out to mark the occasion.

The biggest event of the day was a parade down Chanter Street, which saw hundred take part and many more line the street. The parade was led by "town crier" Gerald Ryan, who took on the role of early town crier Mr McQuiggan. Meanwhile pipers Keith White (Tocumwal) and Jock Adams (Numurkah) led the parade down Chanter Street.

Students from both school took part, as well as pre-schoolers on a bullock dray. There were many horse-drawn vehicles, along with members of the Berrigan Riding Club.

Jim Small, Member for Muray, and his wife Judy were also in attendance, playing the part of early politician John Chanter and his wife. Festivities then moved to Apex Park, where "government official" Councilor Ian Fuzzard declared Berrigan a village and Jim Small raised the flag.

The day also saw a fly-past by four aeroplanes, piloted by Bill Harvie, Don Escott, Jeff Close, and Peter Menhennitt.

In the afternoon, attendees took to the chance to browse through historic displays in the Memorial Hall and machinery nearby by Jack Lee. There was also a bus tour of sites of historic interest in the town.

Old-fashioned games were played by children from both school on the grounds of St Columbas.

The day culminated at the Memorial Hall, with a presentation based on 100 years of history, which included films, musical items, and even a performance of "Blue Hills', the popular radio series which ran for many years.

Do you remember this celebration? Share you memories & photos in the comments!

A DVD of the event is available to purchase from the Museum.

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

🔍 Looking for information or planning a visit to peruse our archives? Fill out a research form so we can help you: https://berriganheritagemuseum.weebly.com/ourcollection-research.html

📜 Long before the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum was in existence, there were calls for the formation of historical...
09/06/2026

📜 Long before the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum was in existence, there were calls for the formation of historical societies in the towns of the Berrigan Shire.

On 21 January 1964, the Berrigan Advocate published a piece titled 'Wanted - An Historical Society', which talked about the importance of compiling a comprehensive history of our district. It was suggested that the Shire Council should follow in the footsteps of other shires in the state and appoint a committee in each town to carry out this work.

Berrigan was the first town in the Shire to take action.

In March 1964, William Abbott helped get the ball rolling on the Berrigan Historical Society, asking locals to get involved in forming this new organisation to help preserve Berrigan's history.

The inaugural meeting was held on Wednesday 11 March 1964 in the Shire Chambers, with members including Jack Dunn, Jim Netley, and Len and Bill Abbott.

At the meeting, it was decided to initially obtain tape recordings from a number of older citizens to preserve their recollections of life in Berrigan before World War I, and to make a collection of photographs, diaries, and other items of historical interest.

The collection and restoration of old buggies, carts, early tractors, and farm equipment was also discussed, and this led to one of the major projects of the society during the late-1960s: providing the Steam Engine for Apex Park (now situated next to the Men's Shed/Big Store). The Apex Club did the heavy lifting of restoration, painting, slab-laying and placement.

Unfortunately, and somewhat ironically, records of the Berrigan Historical Society are very few and far between - the Berrigan Advocate only makes reference to the society during its formation in 1964, and in Apex Club articles in regards to the Steam Engine.

What became of the collection the Historical Society amassed is an unknown, but we would like to hope that most of the records found their way to the current historical society and Museum once we were established.

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

🔍 Looking for information or planning a visit to peruse our archives? Fill out a research form so we can help you: https://berriganheritagemuseum.weebly.com/ourcollection-research.html

: BLUE BIRD CAFÉ, 1926 ☕In our recent perusals of the Berrigan Advocate from 1926, we came across a couple of fun adver...
05/06/2026

: BLUE BIRD CAFÉ, 1926 ☕
In our recent perusals of the Berrigan Advocate from 1926, we came across a couple of fun advertising pieces for the Blue Bird Café! The following two poems were placed within the 'News and Notes' and 'News in Brief' columns, amongst news tidbits from about the town and district.

~~~

There was a young man of Merrigan,
Who was lost in the wilds of Sherrigan.
He hailed a blue car,
Said "step on her, pa,"
And pull up at the Blue Bird at Berrigan.

~~~

Don't show me the way to go home,
I'm tired, and I want to drink and eat;
I haven't han a feed for an hour or so
And I'm dropping off my feet;
I've no desire to roam, it's the silliest thing I've heard,
So I'm off along the old main road,
For I'm dining at the bonnie Blue Bird.

~~~

Can we bring back this form of advertising please? Imagine some of the cute lil poems that could be used to promote some of our local businesses!

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

🔍 Looking for information or planning a visit to peruse our archives? Fill out a research form so we can help you: https://berriganheritagemuseum.weebly.com/ourcollection-research.html

📰 The June edition of the Berrigan News is OUT NOW! This month you can read about John Curtis Drummond! 🔗 READ ONLINE: h...
03/06/2026

📰 The June edition of the Berrigan News is OUT NOW! This month you can read about John Curtis Drummond!

🔗 READ ONLINE: https://berrigannsw.com.au/berrigan-news/
Or find a physical copy at several local businesses.

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

⭐JUNE MEETING⭐Our next monthly meeting will be held THIS WEDNESDAY, 3 June at 9:00am at the Museum! This will be our las...
01/06/2026

⭐JUNE MEETING⭐
Our next monthly meeting will be held THIS WEDNESDAY, 3 June at 9:00am at the Museum! This will be our last meeting before our winter break until September.

If you’ve ever wanted to get involved with the Museum, be sure to come along and meet our wonderful committee.

: MAY 1926 🍂The changing of the seasons means it's time for another look back at what was happening in & around Berriga...
01/06/2026

: MAY 1926 🍂
The changing of the seasons means it's time for another look back at what was happening in & around Berrigan 100 years ago!

🗞️ The Berrigan Advocate was published every Thursday at 3s 6d per quarter.

🌡️ The average maximum temperature for the month was 14.2° C and a total of 33mm of rain fell.

🏇 1 MAY: The Memorial Hall Races were held, racing funds for the Soldiers' Memorial Hall, were abandoned owing to the inclement weather and not being able to find a suitable date before the winter.

🕺 7 MAY: A Euchre Party & Dance was held in aid of the canditure of Miss M Bruce in the Church of England Shingle Competition.

🏈 8 MAY: A friendly pre-season match between the Berrigan and Cobram eighteens was played. The team was made up of Bruce, Sheridan, A. & R. McDonald, Cope, Munro, Reynoldson, Powell, Clements, K. & T. Robretson, Walters, W. Kelly, Spalding, Body, Howard, Davis, and Morrison. Emergencies were R. Roche, O'Neill, Boles, L. Roche, Burwood, and Jackson. Berrigan was defeated by Cobram.

💃 12 MAY: A dance was held in aid of the produce stall at the Church of England Flower Show.

⛳ 15 MAY: A large number of players enjoyed a mixed foursomes competition on the local golf course. The event was won by Mr S. Creed and Mrs M.C. Creed, with Mr G.E. Mackenzie and Miss Creed runners-up.

🌼 22 MAY: The St Aidan's Church of England Flower Show & Industrial Exhibition was held, featuring fancy sweets, produce, and refreshment stalls, musical items, shingle competition, and novelty competitions. Miss M. Bruce won the Shingle Competition.

💸 26 MAY: McKenzie & Co. conducted a clearing sale at Mr A.V. Robertson's 'Rosebank', near Green Swamp Road Siding, which included 350 comeback ewes, 8 cows & calves, 8 draught horses, Massey header, and a set of gig harness.

🧱 26 MAY: The contractor made a start of the Soldiers' Memorial Hall.

🤒 Influenza in a rather severe form had gripped a number of local residents.

🏪 Mr E. Burwood's new shops in Chanter Street had been completed and were occupied by tailor Mr J. Williams, and hairdresser Mr E. Charter.

👷 Mr F. Brady was in the process of erecting a commodious residence in Budd Street.

🧱 A team of men arrived in town at the start of the month to make a start on the new Bank of Australasia building, on the corner of Chanter Street and Cobram Road.

🎽 The Berrigan Football team got brand spanking new colours for the season.

💸 Messrs McPherson, Thomas & Co. opened a branch of their general auctioneering business in Berrigan, under the management of Mr Norman Rand.

🛤️ Surveyors had been sent to make a permanent survey of the proposed railway for Mairjimmy towards Deniliquin.

🏛️ By the end of the month £1803/14/0 had been promised for the Soldiers' Memorial Hall.

🏈 FOOTBALL: Berrigan def by Jerilderie (24 to 25), and Berrigan def by Finley (23 to 86).

📽️ AT ROYAL PICTURE THEATRE: 'The Lost World', and 'The Hunchback'.

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

🔍 Looking for information or planning a visit to peruse our archives? Fill out a research form so we can help you: https://berriganheritagemuseum.weebly.com/ourcollection-research.html

🏛️ Established in 2001, the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and researching the rich hist...
21/05/2026

🏛️ Established in 2001, the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and researching the rich history of our local community for current and future generations. Managed by a passionate committee of volunteers, we focus on safeguarding our unique pioneering spirit and the achievements that continue to define Berrigan today.

✨​A LEGACY OF FIRSTS✨
Berrigan takes great pride in being the birthplace of several significant milestones, including Federation, Rural Fire Service, education advocacy, and My Health Record.

🔍OUR COLLECTION🔍
We specialize in local family history and oral histories, offering a window into the lives of those who built this district. Our extensive collections include community life, agricultural & irrigation, military heritage, and a vast collection of family histories.

👟ENGAGE WITH HISTORY👟
We believe history should be active and accessible! Beyond our museum displays, we help the community connect with the past through our Heritage Walk, Cemetery Walks, and research opportunities.

So start planning your next visit to Berrigan and the Museum!

📅 Wednesdays
🕙 9:00am - 11:00am
📍 62 Jerilderie St, Berrigan
🎟️ Adults $5.00, kids free
Or get in touch to organise a visit outside of these hours.

19/05/2026

💚🏛️ MAKE HISTORY PART OF YOUR FUTURE
National Volunteer Week is here, and we’re celebrating the heartbeat of the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum - our volunteers! 🫶🏻

From researching local legends and planning cemetery walks, to keeping our socials buzzing and cataloguing new treasures, our small but mighty team does it all. Whether you’re a history buff or just want to give back to the town we love, there’s a place for you here.

WHY JOIN US?
💚 Preserve Berrigan’s stories for future generations
💚 Connect with a passionate, welcoming group
💚 Work on projects that interest *you* (even from home!)

COME FOR A PERUSE & CHAT:
Stop by any Wednesday morning (9:00am–11:00am) to meet the committee and see what we’re all about.

: PRESBYTERIAN PULPIT, 1917 ⛪If you attended the Anzac Day service at the Soldiers' War Memorial Hall, you will have no...
15/05/2026

: PRESBYTERIAN PULPIT, 1917 ⛪
If you attended the Anzac Day service at the Soldiers' War Memorial Hall, you will have noticed the beautiful lectern on stage - it is actually the Pulpit from the original St John's Presbyterian Church!

The Pulpit was erected in the memory of Ida Lilian McCarron, wife of Rev. E.G. McCarron, who was the first Presbyterian minister to reside in the Manse upon his arrival in November 1909.

Only eight months after their arrival, Ida sadly passed away in August 1910. She had been confined to her bed for about a fortnight, but the nature of her illness wasn't a cause for concern. On the evening of her death, she was sitting on the bed, talking to her husband, when she suddenly "fell back and expired." It was determined her cause of death of nervous heart failure.

News of her death shocked residents. And Rev. McCarron asked to leave Berrigan not long after her death.

It wasn't until August 1917 that the Pulpit was erected and dedicated in her memory. The pulpit was made by Mr Bell, of Tocumwal, and was "made of splendidly grained Australian timbers."

The plaque on the front reads:
"This pulpit was erected in memory of
IDA LILIAN MCCARRON.
Who entered into her rest on August 10th 1911.
'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.'"

Interestingly, we can confirm via her obituary in the Berrigan Advocate of 2 September 1910 that Ida passed away on 29 August 1910. So it seems that in the span of seven years before the Pulpit came to fruition, her death details became a little foggy for the congregation. Her grave a the Berrigan Cemetery has also remained unmarked.

Rev. McCarron, who was residing with his parents in Canowindra, passed away two months after the Pulpit was dedicated.

💚 Learn more about Berrigan’s history every Wednesday, 9:00am - 11:00am, or by arrangement.

🔍 Looking for information or planning a visit to peruse our archives? Fill out a research form so we can help you: https://berriganheritagemuseum.weebly.com/ourcollection-research.html

👑💧 Bridging the generational gap through the power of social media! We’re having a bit of fun with our archives, showing...
12/05/2026

👑💧 Bridging the generational gap through the power of social media!

We’re having a bit of fun with our archives, showing that no matter how you say it, Berrigan’s history is legendary. From the first Rural Fire Service to the pivotal role in the Australian Federation League, there’s so much to explore at the Berrigan & District Heritage Museum.

When are you planning your next visit?

📅 Wednesdays
🕙 9:00am - 11:00am
📍 62 Jerilderie St, Berrigan
🎟️ Adults $5.00, kids free

Address

62 Jerilderie Street
Berrigan, NSW
2712

Opening Hours

9am - 11am

Website

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