Tucklan is a rural district between Gulgong and Dunedoo. In the beginning, the area was named after the prolific Stringybarks in the area that were a favoured building material on the goldfields. As the goldfields grew and other settlers arrived, people decided a more appropriate name was necessary. Tucklan was said to be chosen because of the abundance of “Acacia Tucklan” or Tucklan Wattle. These trees grow to a height of fifteen feet and up to three inches through the butt. It is not a good flowering type, and it is difficult to clear, but as Tucklan is the only area of NSW known to have an abundance of this species. [There is no evidence today of a species of wattle with this name].
Source: “Tales of Tucklan and the Stringy Bark Goldfields” compiled and written by Anne Watts – W. A. Graham M.B.E. and Debbie Robbins. Shared by Darryl Pickett
For a brief period in the 1890s Tucklan was a thriving town of 3,000 people. This was due to small finds of gold in the 1890s which sparked a rush of people to the area. Tucklan was serviced by two inns, a blacksmith, a butcher and a bakery. The goldfields were abandoned around 1902 and the town declined. The Lands Department offered former miners 40-acre blocks and encouraged them to stay in the district and build houses on the land. It is unknown how many former miners took up this offer.
Sketch depicting Tucklan between 1879-1900s by D Robinson (rotated)
Source: “Tales of Tucklan and the Stringy Bark Goldfields” compiled and written by Anne Watts – W. A. Graham M.B.E. and Debbie Robbins.
Shared by Darryl Pickett
Shared by Darryl Pickett
Tucklan District Road System
Source: “Tales of Tucklan and the Stringy Bark Goldfields” compiled and written by Anne Watts – W. A. Graham M.B.E. and Debbie Robbins.
Shared by Darryl Pickett
Shared by Darryl Pickett
1871 - [TUCKLAN GOLD]
There has been considerable inquiry during the past few days for the Tucklan Scrub, consequent on the report that payable gold has been found there. A shaft is now down 70 feet, and those who have visited the locality say that it is a very likely one for gold. It is about 20 miles from Gulgong, and some months ago there was a rush to the Scrub, but without any permanent result. A couple of parties are, we understand, now out prospecting the country to the west of Tallewang, At the Three Mile rush, work is the order of the day. In a block claim three nuggets have been found, weighing 24oz 3dwt, being, with one exception, the largest ever found on the gold-field. The population on this rush, is not decreasing, and quite a township is springing up. On the whole, the prospects of the gold-field are promising, and though nothing new and startling is chronicled, work is being steadily proceeded with on all the more promising leads. Our population is increasing, a large number being New Zealanders, the majority of whom condemn the existing system of gold-fields management as slovenly, illiberal, and unjust.1872 - [MINERS]
The Denison Town correspondent of the Western Post says:- Several parties of miners are againtrying their luck in the search of gold in the Tucklan Scrub. A party has also been sinking for the past two months near to Denison Town. They have bottomed one shaft at the depth of over 100 feet, but without success.1873 - Manslaughter at Cobbora.
The Mudgee Times reports the proceedings of an inquest which was held by T. A. Browne, Esq., Coroner, at a hut on the Tucklan Creek, on Thursday last, the 16th instant, on the body of a little boy aged six years, when a verdict of manslaughter was brought against one Patrick O'Brien, with whom the boy lived and assisted him in shepherding. The evidence adduced caused suspicion of the crime to attach to O'Brien. He stopped at this hut with the lad, whose brother stopped with his mother (a half-caste) at the Range shepherding, but all were employed by Mr. Seymour Denman.
On Monday, O'Brien went to the lad's mother, telling her the boy was burnt, stopped there that night, went back on the following morning, not calling on his master as he passed by; but the mother did, and Mr. Denman proceeded immediately to ascertain the facts when he immediately gave information to the police, which resulted on the inquiry. O'Brien states the deceased fell into the fire while trying to reach some sugar which hung near the fire, and that he must have run to where the body was seen; but on viewing the body and from medical testimony, it was clear that life had been extinct before the burning, as one arm is missing from above the elbow, and was reddish about the flesh where broken and torn. It not being probable that the deceased could have run half a mile from the hut where he was shown by O'Brien after being burnt. Suspicion strongly attaches to him as having first killed, the deceased and then burned the body so much to conceal marks of violence. He was accordingly committed to take his trial for manslaughter at the Criminal Court now sitting at Mudgee.
1890s______________________________
Tucklan-Tallawang Mail Coach
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Michael Holmes at the back door of Turner's Inn at Tucklan, 1920s
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
This is the back of Turner's Inn. The front of the building only had two doors, facing the General Store and Post Office. The door on the right-hand side is where the business took place and the other door opened into a large room with a slab floor and a small fireplace. This is where old-time bush dancing took place with the music played on violins, jews harps and concertinas. Some gambling took place as well. In the front garden, flowers markets a child's grave.
Source: Rita Jones as told by Deborah Robinson 1994
Gold diggers at Tucklan, 1890s
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Gold diggers at Tucklan, 1890s
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Walter Jenkins, Bus Driver
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Tucklan gold diggers, John Smith and Ozy Armstrong
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Sleeper cutters at Tucklan, Depression years
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Old Post Office and General Store (burnt down between 1925-6)
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
1930s, Alban Jones' Post Office and General Store
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
"Mud Hut", Tucklan
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Roy Hansell on a horse-drawn sled in front of the house at the corner of Lincoln and Tucklan Road
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Roy Hansell driving a horse-drawn plough
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
1940s - Norman Jones' tractor and plough with Rita and Hilda Pickeram
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
The former School Residence from Tallawang, relocated to Tucklan as the Post Office and Exchange and later a private residence
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Tucklan school students
Source: Rita Jones of Tucklan
Source: “Tales of Tucklan and the Stringy Bark Goldfields” compiled and written by Anne Watts – W. A. Graham M.B.E. and Debbie Robbins. Shared by Darryl Pickett
Back row: Fred Gurd (teacher), Laurie Jones, Reg Elliott, Bill Lincoln, Joan Jones, Jean Craft, Ken Rothe, Jim Watts, Herb Elliott, Tom Brennan, Jack Jones.
Middle Row: Jack Brennan, Eric Craft, Thelma Huckle, Jean Bassett, Amy Lincoln, Eileen Elliott, Doris Baggett, Josie Jones, Doris Lincoln.
Front Row: Arnold Brennan, Horace Hansell, Laurie Williams, John Curd, Mavis Skinner, Cecil Craft, Stan Rothe.
Site of Tucklan Public School
Source: Sixmaps
PROPERTIES OF THE TUCKLAN VALLEY
CRANBOURNE
In 1881, James Atkinson purchased 493 acres from the crown. On this land, he built a homestead with ironbark timber and a bull-nosed iron roof – part of which still stands today. When this homestead was built, no other house existed along the Cobbora-Mudgee road via Stringy Bark [Tucklan] until you came to Guntawang. In 1888 Atkinson sold the property - now known as “Cranbourne” to E.J. Lowe who used this block as a base to establish a large grazing area amalgamated with his Birriwa holdings.
Visible remains show that Lowe or Atkinson tried to bank the Tucklan Creek and establish a permanent water supply. All attempts appear to have been unsuccessful. The remains of substantial sheep yard suggest that “Cranbourne” was the centre of early grazing activities. It was either used as a base shearing shed, shepherds' yards, or both. In 1902 “Cranbourne” was purchased by Joseph Inder from E.J. Lowe for the price shown on the cheque butt of £1,001.00.0. One thousand pounds for the land and one pound for the exchange. A. E. Inder assumed ownership in 1911 and in 1923 constructed a new cement homestead.
Cranbourne was owned by the Inder family for several generations, including Mr. Joe Inder, great-grandson of J. Inder.
WATTLE VALE
In 1909 James Madigan took up a block adjoining “Woolandra” which he named “Wattle Vale”. Prior to this he had worked at the sawmill at Hughies Waterhole and was an expert timber cutter. He was also an expert cook as he had owned a boarding house in Mudgee before coming to Tucklan. After settling at “Wattle Pond” in 1910, he was in demand as a shearer’s cook. During the gold rush at Stringy Bark [Tucklan], fossickers had found gold in surrounding hills and gullies and a small goldfield was found at Patrick’s Creek and at the time of the Madigan family’s arrival there were still one hundred or so men fossicking for gold. Those who didn’t persevere with the gold turned to cutting ironbark for sleepers for the Gulgong-Craboon section of railway line and also for the sawmill at Hughie’s Waterhole.
During this time Mrs Madigan and her young family milked all available farm cows to provide milk for the people on Patrick’s Creek goldfields for which she charged one shilling (1/-) per gallon. The original property site remained in the Madigan family for many years and was owned by Samuel Madigan.
WOOLANDRA
About 1900, Patrick and Mary Costello from Meroo, near Mudgee, selected land on the western side of the Tucklan Valley naming the property Woolandra. About this time, James Niven of Spring Ridge established a sawmill on the property as the nearby hills were thickly timbered with ironbark, much sought after for building, railway sleepers and fence posts. The mill was located at Hughies Waterhole so named after shepherd Hughie, who had his rough bark hut nearby. It was he who discovered gold nearby on Patrick’s Creek. The Costellos held “Woolandra” until 1926 when it was purchased by the Leslie family who sold it to the Morrison family in 1987.
AVONSIDE
Reg Wisby took up land about the same time near Costello and Madigan calling the property “Avonside”. It became the location of one of the early Tucklan Valley schools known as Avonside School.
The “Avonside” property was to pass through a succession of owners and name changes. Subsequent owners were Mr Biddulp, “Bun” Keenan, Mr Cape Niely and McKechnie, and was finally purchased by Mr E.W. Perry in 1934. The property name was changed to “Yurunga” and was later owned by Miss Patricia Perry.
WOODLAND
In 1898 the successful ballot for “Woodland’ was Mr John Daniel Winter, son of a Prussian immigrant who settled in Australia some years before. An unsuccessful contender in the ballot predicted the new owner and his family would starve! He was proved wrong as the place was cleared, fenced, developed and the Winter family prospered. The original slab hut used by J.D. Winter and his family still stands today. It was built using timber from the surrounding hills and the quality of the workmanship demonstrated the skill of the bush builders.
It was replaced by a substantial concrete house, the concrete for it was hand mixed, wheeled in barrows up plankways and poured into the forming at ceiling level.
HILLSIDE
In 1919 Mr George Williams (son of Jeremiah Williams) purchased land from the Bell family of “Yarrabrae”. This block was originally owned by McDouall and then H.A. Patrick. There is visual evidence still to indicate that substantial sheep yards and a shepherd’s hut were erected and used during the ownership of Patrick or McDouall. By 1919 the cereal, wool and cattle industries had been consolidated. George Williams came to “Hillside” after his marriage to Matilda Rothe at the new Union Church at Dapper. This was the first marriage celebrated in that Church. George was perhaps the pioneer breeder of quality merino sheep in the Tucklan area.
Getting information that the well-known station “Dalkeith” intended trucking cast for age stud ewes to Homebush for disposal, George Williams went to Sydney by train and purchased a mob of these merino ewes at the Homebush sale. He trucked them back to his property and joined them to top-quality “Dalkeith” rams.
Breeding from this flock he produced top-class sheep which enabled him to win the local Agricultural bureau merino ewe competition in 1933. This qualified him to enter his team of twenty five ewes in the Farmer and Settle Newspaper's State Ewe Competition in 1934. Against entries from all over NSW, his sheep were to win the A Group, which was for graziers who ran less that 1,000 ewes.
BOLINDA VALE
In 1897, while shearing for E.J. Lowe, Mr Ernest Swinson was informed that he was the successful contender for the ballot for “Bolinda Vale”. As Swinson was unable to be present at the ballot Mr. H.A. Patrick lodged an appeal against Swinson’s win, claiming that he was ‘dummying’ the block for E.J. Lowe. The appeal was upheld, a re-ballot ordered and Mr Michael Shannon became the new owner. As there was no home on the property, he transported his house from the Mendooran area by horse and dray and re-erected it at “Bolinda Vale”. Much of this house still stands today even though it is almost 100 years old.
After Michael Shannon was tragically killed in a buggy accident in 1907 the family subsequently leased the property to Mr Sandy Ross, a wheat farmer from Wellington. Mr. Harold Winter recalled counting sixteen horse-drawn harvesters working on “Bolinda Vale” and in seasonal times over one hundred draught horses were used. To enable Ross to farm extensively, it is recalled by old timers that over six hundred Kurrajong trees were removed. About 1920, Mrs Shannon and her family returned and remained until the place was sold to Mr. G.T. Watts in 1927.
In the 1930s, “Bolinda Vale” became a well known Clydesdale horse stud using stock imported from England and Scotland. During World War I, race meetings and other fundraising functions were held in the paddock behind the original homestead, the proceeds going to the Tucklan hall fund. “Bolinda Vale” was later owned by Ian Watts.
BELLERIVE
In 1946 “Bolinda Vale” was subdivided and part of the original holding came into the possession of W.A & N.A. Graham. This part of the property was then named “Bellerive” and kept in the Graham family’s possession.
PARK VIEW
In 1887 Mr Robert Ballard purchased land which he named “Park View”, a fitting name for the magnificent view to the east. After operating the property for 17 years “Park View” was leased to Mr. Don Stewart and then to Mr Milo Bourke. During this time the Ballard family resided in the thriving village of Birriwa where they had built a home in 1914. The family returned to “Park View” in 1926 when they erected a new home on their land. It remained in the Ballard family until it was sold to Mr J.T. Watts in 1967.
YARRABRAE
Part of this property was originally taken up by G.H.C. McDouall and part leased by Harry Patrick of “Digilah”. We assume McDouall was of Scottish descent – hence the property name. McDouall’s land subsequently came under the ownership of Patrick and in 1908 Patrick sold the property to the Bell family, who sold the western portion of “Yarrabrae” to George Williams in 1919. This became known as “Hillside”. “Yarrabrae” has changed hand many times but has been owned by the Large brothers for over 20 years The property has always been know for its rich red soil and the abundance of Kurrajong trees, making it one of the most picturesque properties around Tucklan.
NEWLANDS, AVOCA & KILFERN
“Newlands” was originally owned by Mr George Craft and his wife Margaret who operated the property for many years during which time they raised five children. “Newlands” was passed onto George’s son, Jack, who in turn sold it to Mr Vincent Ballard in 1977. George’s brother, James, had assisted him in clearing and fencing his land and whilst working on the boundary fence, he met the new owner and neighbour Miss Margaret O’Conner. They eventually married and raised their family on “Avoca Vale”. In 1927 a Sports Day and Dance were held on the place to raise money for the Tucklan School. The program illustrates the simplicity of this entertainment.
Together they worked and prospered and in the late 1920s, they added to their original block with the purchase of land from Charles Campton. They renamed the amalgamated properties “Avoca”.
Mr Ernst Craft acquired land in 1954 and established his family on “Kilfern” which was operated by his son Paul until he sold it to Mr Ian Watts in 1989.
THE ROTHE FAMILY
The Rothe family owned 1,000 acres of land seven miles from Tucklan. As the land was only suitable for sleeper cutting and the children needed to be educated, the family moved to the village in 1921. Once in Tucklan, the family purchased 20 acres from Walter Atkins, 100 acres from Jack Rothe, 20 acres from Herb Elliott, 300 acres from Dave Whale. All those blocks were consolidated into one holding.
THE VALLEY
Michael Brennan came from county Kilkenny, Ireland in the 1860s with his parents. He married Joanna Cahill in 1886 and took up a holding he named “Tucklan Valley”, later shortening it to “The Valley”. Their son, William Patrick Brennan worked the property until Michael Athol (Mick) Brennan, eldest son of William Patrick and Mary Brennan, assumed ownership in 1960. Ill health and the terrible bush fire of 1970 forced Mick to hand over to his son John. In 1984 John purchased the adjoining property “Maradale” from Noel Cluff and he and his son, David, went on to operate the two properties together. David was the fifth generation of Brennan’s on “The Valley”
GREEN HILLS
Martin O’Connor came from the gold diggings at Parkes to take up residence on “Green Hills” which he purchased in about 1885. His son, Martin Junior, later took over “Green Hills” and married Frances English in 1914. Their wedding was the first to take place in the newly constructed Catholic Church at Tallawang, which was built from bricks made at the Green Hills kiln. Martin was a sheep and cattle dealer and built and operated the skin store at Dunedoo, situated between the Dunedoo Post Office and the Royal Hotel. “Green Hills” was sold to the Soldier’s Settlement Scheme and split up in 1947 between Alex and Jack Trengrove who came from Gilgandra.
THE JONES FAMILY
During 1884, the Jones Brothers, Joseph, Henry, William and John settled in the Tucklan area.
Joseph Jones took up land in the Tucklan Valley which he called “Spines Cop”. This name was later changed to “Borderville” because the property was situated on the border of the Mudgee and Dubbo pastures Protection Board.
Tucklan depended largely on surface water. However, Joseph Jones’ land was one of the few places in the area that had good spring water in the gullies. Joseph and his son Vincent took advantage of this in times of drought carting and selling water to the miners for the washing of dirt and household purposes. It is said that they made more money from that enterprise than some gold-seekers made from their claims.
Henry constructed a wattle and daub house in Tucklan and used this dwelling as a general store. His son Alban and his wife took over the store and lived in the house.
Eldest brother, James, remained in Coonamble, but his son, Leo, took an active interest in the Stringy Bark goldfields as he was the NSW gold Geologist.
Willian and John also took up land adjoining Joseph. This land was passed down through generations of the Jones family and was owned by descendants of Joseph Jones – Don and Yvonne Pigram.
THE McEVOY FAMILY
James McEvoy came to the Tucklan area about 1895 to work for the O’Connor family at Green Hills. His family lived near Dublin in Ireland and it is possible that James McEvoy’s parents knew Martin O’Connor Sen., as they too, came from the Emerald Isle.
James worked for Martin O’Connor for some years and married Brigit O’Connor about the turn of the century. After residing in Bathurst for several years they returned to Tucklan about 1903 and took up land on the southern end of the valley.
“Warwick Farm” was subsequently owned by Malcolm Craft and “Spring Vale”, by Donald Lincoln.
FURTHER LAND BALLOTS
As a result of wide interest in land in the Tucklan Valley, further land blocks were surveyed and offered by land ballot in 1902. Four of these blocks were right in the heart of the valley. The ballot was held at Cobbora. One was won by George Craft. A second was drawn by Margaret O’Connor, daughter of Martin O’Connor Sen and Mary O’Connor of “Green Hills”. The block she drew became known as “Kilfern”.
A third block was won by Charles Campton. However, Campton only retained his land for a limited period and then sold it to James Craft, thereby amalgamating two of the properties that had been balloted for. James and Margaret named their amalgamated property “Avoca View”. This was later shortened to “Avoca”
A fourth block was drawn by Jack Atkins. He resided with his parents at Beni near Dubbo and called his land “Diamond Villa” and with his wife he cleared and developed this fertile property, rearing his family in the process. When his youngest son was born the Atkins family changed the name of their property to “Glen Athol” in 1906 the parents of Jack Atkins (John and Hannah Atkins) also came from Beni to take up residence on his newly acquired property.
Glen Athol in the ensuing years passed through the ownership of many different people and was at one time owned by Mr Milne Craft and his family.
Source: “Tales of Tucklan and the Stringy Bark Goldfields” compiled and written by Anne Watts – W. A. Graham M.B.E. and Debbie Robbins. Shared by Darryl Pickett
1905 - SANDS DIRETORY - TUCKLAN.
226 m. W. Rail to Mudgee, thence coach.
Nearest bank, Gulgong.
- Ah Fong - Grocer
- Barrott P - Fruiterer
- Hansell John E - General Store
- Holmes James - Blacksmith
- McMullen Daniel - Blacksmith
- New Charles - Butcher
- Turner Francis - Grocer
1918 - [GRAZING LEASES]
In 1918, special leases for grazing from 1919 to 1932 were granted in the County of Lincoln, Parish of Yarrow (Tucklan area) to the following:Harry Talbot - Portion 93 (31 acres)Walter Ernest Atkins - Portion 94 (31 acres)Alban Harris Jones - Portion 95 (31 acres)Michael Henry Jones - Portion 97 (31 acres)Daniel McMullen - Portion 96 (31 acres)David Whale - Portion 98 (31 acres, 1 rood)
1924 - [GRAZING LEASES]
In 1924, a special lease for grazing from 1924 to 1934 was granted in the County of Lincoln, Parish of Yarrow (Tucklan area) to the following:Walter Ernest Atkins, of Tucklan, via Gulgong - Portions 86, 85 and 43 and road (area about 40 acres).
Source: Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001) Fri 3 Oct 1924 [Issue No.128] Page 4664
The first Elliotts in Tucklan were Samuel and Katherine Elliott. They came first to the Coolah area then Samuel was boundary rider in Denison before beginning his gold mining there.
