Charlotte Hogg was one of the significant members of the Methodist Church at Hagley and Westbury, Tasmania from its commencement in the area in 1837 until her death in 1907. She was born at Whites Hill, near Strand, Gloucestershire on 3 January 1815, her father William Bendall. Her mother died when she was four years […]

Beginnings Michael Walker in his memoirs notes, “In 1846 I came to Hagley. There was no church of any kind and we used to meet at Mr. Montgomery’s farm house and hold services and class meetings.” Mr. Walker and Mr. Montgomery  were both living in Hogg’s Lane at the time. Hogg’s Lane received its name […]

Two French families settled at Hagley, those of Samuel French and Percy William French. They were distantly related, both descendants of Francis and Mary French.  Francis is particularly remembered as being the first Wesleyan Methodist local preacher in Northern Tasmania. Also living in the Hagley area were their Badcock cousins, also descendants of Francis and […]

Two duces/duxes of the Launceston Junior Technical School were awarded a Tasmanian Rhodes scholarship, Dick Gandy in 1936 and Bill Bonney in 1954. Richard William George (Dick) Gandy (1915-1996) grew up at Derby, Tasmania and did his primary schooling at that place. He then proceeded on to the Launceston Junior Technical School for three years […]

Launceston Junior Technical School Alan Gelston grew up at Westbury, Tasmania, and attended the Launceston Junior Technical School for three years. In 1945 he was duce of the school gaining eight credits and one pass. He became particularly known for carving the Coat of Arms (below) which is located above the main entrance of the […]

Launceston Junior Technical School Peter Crowcroft, sometimes known as William Peter Crowcroft, was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and received his secondary education at the Launceston Junior Technical School and in 1937 was dux of the school, gaining 5 credits and 4 passes. He had a life-long interest with zoos and animals and this coupled with […]

Launceston Junior Technical School Arthur grew up at Smithton, Tasmania but did his secondary school education at the Launceston Junior Technical School and in 1928 was made dux of the school, gaining 5 credits and 4 passes. He had a particular interest in flying and in 1935 gained his pilot’s license. Gradually he moved up […]

Here’s to our school, boys, with their noble aim – Leading us to the higher things of life, Here’s success to all who bring it fame – In research or sports keen strife, Here’s to its precepts written on our hearts Words that will save us many a painful fall As through life we play […]

Several years ago, eight old letters written between 1835 and 1849 were discovered in an old family trunk in Tasmania. They were written by Cornish relatives to the French and associated families who had emigrated to Van Diemen’s Land in 1831 and 1833. Letter from William and Anne (nee Blake) Bound One letter was written […]