FUTURE EVENTS
Our next speaker evening is at 5 30pm on Tuesday 7 April 2026 at the Society's rooms - 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland.
TOPIC: Wallabies Recruiting March December 1915 to January 1916
Speaker: Lynn Hart
Lynn has been a member of the West Wallsend District Heritage Group for 3-years, and is the secretary for the group. Lynn is a researcher and carries out the tours of the Sugar Valley Library Museum for various groups and individuals.
In 2001, Lynn was awarded Lake Macquarie City Council Citizen of the Year for 42-years service to St John Ambulance. He is an Electrician by trade, and still works part-time for Vulcan Steel as a Safety Coordinator.
Lynn has a general interest in all things historical and local history. But he is specifically interested in Mining, Industrial, Hotels, Trains, Trams, Transport and the Military.
Relevant to the military subject today, Lynn’s Great Grandfather served in the British Army for 16-years in the 17 th Lancers and most notably served in the South African Zulu War in 1879. He emigrated to Australia in the mid 1880’s. Lynn’s Grandfather served in World War 1 with the 36 th Battalion and fought on the Western Front. Lynn’s Father served in World War 2 and was captured in 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese. He spent 3½ years as a P.O.W in Changi Prison, and on the Death Railway.
While Lynn has not served himself, he has been deeply impacted by his father and grandfather.
Lynn's talk will cover:-
- Wallabies Recruiting March officially started in Narrabri and leaving on the 7th December 1915, winding its way down through the Hunter Valley arriving in West Maitland on 4th January 1916. The marchers then continued via West Wallsend and arrived in Newcastle on 8th January.
- Formation of the 34th Battalion (Maitland’s Own) and their camp at Maitland Showground, later Rutherford Camp.
- Embarkation for Europe in May 2016.
- Their time in Bulford Army Camp, Saulsbury UK.
- Arrival at the Western Front, some battles and some of the notable local Maitland soldiers who paid with their lives, and also Captain Clarence Jeffries who won the Victoria Cross at Messines.
After the talk Lynn is happy to answer questions.
All are welcome. Both Society members and the general public.
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Speaker Evenings are held on the first Tuesday of the month (except January) at 5 30 pm.
(A small charge of $5 includes light refreshments provided before and after the speakers delivery.)
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Future Guest Speakers:
2026
5 May 2026 Ruth Trappel: Edward Denny Day
2 June 2026 Cameron Archer: Federation
7 July 2026
4 August 2026
1 September 2026
6 October 2026 Jennifer Buffier: Les Darcy 110 years ago this month he left for America. Why?
3 November 2026
1 December 2026
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