Help!! The history group needs you.
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DARLINGTON OVAL
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TRAILHEAD HERE
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GLEN RD
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MONTROSE AVE
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DARLINGTON RD
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The Darlington History Group has put out an SOS in relation to its Friends of Waylen’s Landing Group (FOWL). The group needs a new coordinator to keep track of membership, organise planting days and tools etc. Says DHG’s Cliff Burns: “We’re rather desperate – especially at this critical planting time of the year – to find a local Co-ordinator willing to take this on. With the assistance of the Shire and Motivation Foundation (Tim Hunter) the Landing will be reconstructed in June.” Cliff says it will be an important step in the restoration of the area and is one of the Heritage Stations for the Darlington Heritage Walk Trail (see map above). If you can help ring Cliff on 9299 6696 or at cliffburns@iprimus.com.au
DARLINGTON HERITAGE WALK TRAIL – CENTRAL VILLAGE AREA
Oval widening proposal
Phil Daniels, Ceri Kitely, Meredyth Blackwell-Bell, Tim Hunter; seated: Nerissa Rickard, Stacey August, Geoff Barker
Confused about the pegged/taped line on the north side of the oval? You’re not alone! While we know it relates to the proposal to extend the size of Darlington Oval there are a few variations of what it indicates doing the rounds. Oval widening is proposed by the Junior footy/cricket clubs so teen members (currently training at regulation-sized Boya oval) can transfer to Darlington’s oval. The proposal is opposed by those who worry it will impact use of this communal recreation reserve by casual oval users and dog walkers. Members of a DCRAG sub-committee (photo left) are currently trying to gauge community responses to the proposal. In relation to those pegs/tape, the subcom’s Geoff Barker tells us: “The pegged boundary follows the edge of the Railway Heritage Trail Reserve. The proposed extended oval surface and associated drainage work lie on the oval (south) side of the pegged/taped boundary and are accordingly within the Reserve designated for Recreation. The impact of the oval widening proposal is all to the south of the pegged line, with a slope impacting approximately one metre to the north of the pegged line, into the Railway Heritage Trail Reserve area.” (There’s more on this in Letters to the Editor)
Dinner – plus murder and mayhem! The Parkerville Tavern has created a unique event to highlight its colourful history by enticing patrons to enjoy a three-course meal and a slice of the dramatic story of the pub’s beginnings. As you can see from an advert in this issue, The Parky (originally known as the Railway Hotel) was established by a feisty widow who, with her children, survived a murderous attack by her husband who was eventually shot by her daughter. So, as you dine, don’t be surprised to encounter the original licensee Alice Ottley (played by Parkerville actress Shelly Miller) who began to sell wine and beer from the cellar of her house after the death of her husband. Those modest beginnings (120 years ago) were the starting point of the popular two-storey tavern we know today. The first performance of this theatre-style dinner, Through the Eyes of Alice - Tales of Murder and Mayhem, was a huge success and tickets sold out within days, so we now have another chance to enjoy a new season of theatre dinners. Details are in the advert. The Parkerville Tavern acknowledges the Darlington History Group’s Rob Borsje, author of A History of Parkerville and Stoneville, for permission to use information contained in his book for the script of Through the Eyes of Alice.
June 2022 – Darlington Review
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