Harden - Murrumburrah Council Chambers 1893 - 1974

 Municipality of Murrumburrah Council Chambers

1893 - 1974

230 Albury Street Harden - Murrumburrah, New South Wales, Australia

Former Municipality of Murrumburrah Council Chambers, September 2012. Source: Domain.

Summary

As a result of local petitioning, in 1890 the Municipality of Murrumburrah was created. Located on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, New South Wales, Australia, it comprised three wards: Harden, Murrumburrah and Demondrille. A representative council was elected, along with a mayor, Thomas Allsopp. In 1891 a loan of £2,000 was taken out for the construction of roads and buildings, maintenance works and general administration. In 1893 £900 from that loan was utilised for the erection and fitting out of a new Council Chambers building, located at 230 Albury Street. This happened to be the approximate mid-point on the main road between the twin towns of Harden and Murrumburrah, while closer to, and within the town of Murrumburrah. The building was to become known, and serve, as the “civic centre”, though the term was ironic due to its isolation from the two population centres. Despite this, the Council Chambers operated for some 80+ years, between 1893 and the latter part of 1974, as the focal point of local government and related community engagement activities within the municipality. This came to an end on 1 January 1975 with the formation of Harden Shire and opening of the Harden Shire Council building in Harden. With the former Murrumburrah Municipal Council Chambers no longer serving any public function or need, it was sold in 1979 for $10,700 to Graham Clarke of Harden. At the time the new owner proposed converting it into rental accommodation or a restaurant, and the former took place shortly thereafter with its conversion into two flats. During the 1970s the building was listed by the National Trust and described as ‘of brick construction in the Italian style with stucco decorations.’ Two decades later – in May 2009 - it was sold at auction for $130,000 and shortly thereafter included on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. Therein it was described as ‘A symmetrical frontage building, Victorian Italianate style with central arched top doorway and formal rendered embellishments. Curved head windows with decoratively rendered architrave and sill. Two chimneys. Now converted to a residence.’ It was also listed as a heritage item in the Harden Local Environmental Plan 2009. At that point the external trim of the old Council Chambers was painted in traditional heritage colours of pale cream and brown around the exposed brickwork, and an awning had been added to the western entrance. Following the 2009 sale, the building continued to operate as rental accommodation. This ended in 2014 when the owners occupied the building, restored it to a single residence, painted the exterior in pale blue and dark blue trim, and added a number of external shading structures. It was again sold in March 2021 for $300,000. The following Chronology outlines the history of the building and of the surrounding district of Harden - Murrumburrah, providing context to its construction and operation as a civic centre.

Chronology

pre 1788

The Wiradjuri Indigenous (Aboriginal) people inhabit, and claim ownership over, the region around Harden - Murrumburrah for tens of thousands of years. This is changed with the arrival of European settlers and convicts after 1788. Their complex lifestyle and unique civilisation remain alive with their descendants. The Aboriginal word ‘murrimboola’ is said to refer to the two waterholes and creek which are a distinguishing feature of the landscape, and of the area later called by Europeans Murrumburra[h]. The word is also said to refer to two canoes (‘muriin bula’). The waterholes and Murrimboola Creek run through the middle of Murrumburrah. These waterholes and associated creeks were a meeting place and area of settlement for the local Aboriginal people over the millennia.

1790s+

- Escaped convicts travel out of Sydney to isolated areas of the country, north, west and south. It is likely that these were the first Europeans to encounter the local people.

1824

- European explorers Hume and Hovel pass through the Murrumburrah area on their journey to the south from Sydney to Port Phillip via Yass.

Late 1820s

- Murrumburra run / station is settled by superintendent James Kennedy. This marks the beginning of permanent European settlement. Prior to that, only explorers and escaped convicts had passed through the region.

1830s

- Ned Ryan noted as squatting in the area.

Late 1840s

- An inn is established at Murrumburra by James Kennedy.

1850s

- Gold rushes occur in the district 1854-1901, most especially at Lambing Flat (Young), just north of Murrumburrah.

1858

- New South Wales government lays out the first town of Murrimboola and the first land sales in the district take place. This brings in free settlers on small allotments, as opposed to squatters with large leases.

1859

- 12 September. The land upon which the future Murrumburrah Council Chambers is built is sold as Lot 58 on this day to John English. The size is 1012 square metres, being 20.12 x 50.29 metres, or in imperial measurement 1 rood, being 1 chain x 2 chains and 50 links. This is more commonly known as a quarter acre block.

1860

- Mail service begins from Murrumburrah.

1860s

- Bushrangers operate in the area.

1870

- 1 January: Harden post office opens. It subsequently closed in 1877 and reopened in 1880.

1872

- Murrumburrah is listed as ‘a small town on the road to Lambing Flat [Young]’. 

- Murrumburrah has two churches, a school, three hotels, the same number of stores, and a good steam flour mill. The Roman Catholic Church is a fine stone building on a hill above the town, and looks very picturesque; the Wesleyan Chapel is a small wooden building. The principal hotels are Mr. Murphy’s and Mr. Dillon’s. The former owns the flour mill, a good brick building, three stories high. It may be mentioned that a good deal of wheat is grown in the district (Town and Country Journal, 5 August 1872).

1874

- A Mechanics Institute is established at Murrumburrah. A building is erected in 1879.

1877

The main southern railway line opens with the Murrumburrah railway station, located on a bend due north of the township of Murrumburrah. Due to the steep grade in and out of Murrumburrah station, another is constructed on a gentler grade to the east in 1878. It is initially named North Murrumburrah railway station, though renamed Harden in 1880. This becomes a busy rail terminus, and the nearby town prospers from it, through to the immediate post WWII period.

Harden railway station, 31 December 1889. Source: State Archives of New South Wales.

1880

- the name of the settlement of Murrimboola is officially changed to Murrumburrah, the more common usage. It is said that this was also to avoid confusion with the New South Wales coastal town of Merimbula.

View of Murrumburrah, looking northwest from near Iris Street, 1880. The bridge over Murrimboola Creek is seen in the right foreground, and the chimney of Allsopp’s flour mill is in the middle distance.

1890

- 28 February: Following local petitioning, the Municipal District of Murrumburrah is proclaimed. Reference: New South Wales Government Gazette / State Archives of New South Wales.

- 2 April: Municipality of Murrumburrah is divided into three wards – Harden, Murrumburrah and Demondrille. The Municipality is located in the County of Harden, Parish of Murrimboola and the total area is 9 square miles.

- 3 April: The Municipal District of Murrumburrah becomes a body corporate. John Bourke is appointed as the first Returning Officer for the initial council election, to be held within three months of the incorporation.

- 12 and 19 May: Each ward elects three aldermen on the 12 May 1890. John A. Campbell and John W. Brooks are elected Auditors on the same day. Local land owner and business man Thomas Allsopp is elected Mayor on the 19 of May 1890.

- 5 June: Robert B. Wallace is appointed Council Clerk and Inspector of Nuisances on 5 June 1890.

- 22 November: The Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate - During its early years the Council was rarely publicly criticised by either disgruntled ratepayers or the local press. For example, the decision to build the Council Chambers at a time when more important pressing work was crying out for attention was not opposed and, indeed, met with support from The Signal (McDonald 1990).

- 2 December: The Mayor gives notice that he will move 'that the council raise a loan for the purpose of building council chambers'. A motion was subsequently moved requesting the government acquire lots 1 - 5 of Section 25, Albury Street.

1891

- 19 November: The Council takes out a loan of £2,000 for works and services, after raising the loan in September.

- 16 December: Councillor Wilson moves that land on higher ground be secured. Eventually land is secured from Mrs English in Murrumburrah.

1892

– 13 February, NSW Government Gazette: Notice of the election of Alderman Thomas Allsopp as Mayor of the Borough of Murrumburrah. By R.B. Wallace, Council Chambers, Murrumburrah. At this time the Council meetings took place in the Criterion Hotel. Reference: TROVE.

- 3 March: The village of Murrumburrah is gazetted a town. 

- 3 August: Land title for 230 Albury Street, Harden, transfers from Catherine English of Paddington, widow of John English, to the Borough of Murrumburrah for £75.

1893

- 6 February: The Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure for the half-year ending 6^th February 1893 for the Borough of Murrumburrah, records: Purchase of land for Chambers £75.0.0. This is likely the property at 230 Albury Street. Reference: New South Wales Government Gazette.

- 6 May: Sydney Mail. Report on completion of the Murrumburrah Council Chambers and handing over of the building on 26 April. The building contained the Council Chamber, an office, and accommodation for the Town Clerk. There was no accommodation for additional staff.

- 31 July: The Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure for the half-year ending 1^st July 1894 for the Borough of Murrumburrah, records:

Erection, Council Chambers, &c. £608.18.6.

Architect’s fees £28.3.0.

The property was located at 230 Albury Street and on the corner of a reserve which cuts off Woolrych Street. The Expenditure list included additional items related to the construction and maintenance. Reference: New South Wales Government Gazette. In regard to the total cost, the following was noted in a 1937 newspaper article:

From 1890 to 1893 the Council met regularly in the sample rooms of the Criterion Hotel, after which it met in the newly-erected Council Chambers, at the corner of Albury and Woolrych streets, costing £900.

According to a later history of the Council published in a 1940 newspaper:

The first loan was expended on the building of the existing Council Chambers in 1893. The records show a payment to [builders] Franklin and Finlay [of Goulburn] on 26^th April 1893 of £586/18/6. The balance of the [£2,000] loan was expended on fitting and roads and streets. The work included kerbing and guttering in Albury Street, Murrumburrah, from the Court House to the Council Chambers …..

 

It also appears that a residence was built either attached to, or separate from, the Council Chambers and the Town Clerk resided there until 1920. At some early stage the adjacent block of land was converted from Woolrych Street to a reserve, perhaps to allow for expansion of the Council functions.

1895

- 20 February: Meeting held at the Council Chambers to consider the boundaries of the Shire of Binalong.

1896

- 14 February: John Bourke elected mayor.

- Map of the county of Harden, eastern division / compiled, drawn and printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, 1896. [Map]

1899

- 24 May: Meeting of the Murrumburrah and Harden Rifle Club held at the Council Chambers, Saturday evening. TROVE.

1902

- 11 July: Meeting held at the Council Chambers to discuss the establishment of a cottage hospital in Murrumburrah.

1904

- 21 May: Meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Murrumburrah Hospital construction committee.

1907

- Monday, 8 July: Report of meeting of the Municipal Council of Murrumburrah held at the Council Chambers (bi-weekly). TROVE.

1913

– Saturday 23 August, The Young Chronicle: Report from Harden on free vaccination against smallpox offered at the Council Chamber.

1916

- 10 April: Meeting of the Murrumburrah War Service Committee held at the Council Chambers.

1918

- 22 November: Meeting held in the Council Chamber to discuss borrowing £57,260 for the installation of electricity works.

1919

- 17 July: Urgent meeting called by Mayor Kelly at Council Chambers to take steps to urge government to include Murrumburrah Municipality in the Burrinjuck Hydro Electric Scheme.

1922

– Saturday 23 December, Young Witness: Report on meeting of the Local Sick Aid and Hospital Committee at the Council Chambers, Murrumburrah. Reference: TROVE.

1929

- 24 May: Committee for the District Hospital meeting held in Council Chambers.

- Map of the County of Harden, Eastern Division, N.S.W. 1929 / compiled, drawn and printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, N.S.W. ; [cartographer] Isaac L. Barrow. [Map]

1937

- 19 March: Cootamundra Herald. Report on erection of flag poles at the Council Chambers.

Murrumburrah - Harden

The returned soldiers are erecting two flagpoles at the Council Chambers. People are saying that they would have liked to see a flag flying at both ends of the town on important national days. Many people would never see the flag at the Council Chambers. The “civic centre” is so far away from the bulk of the residents.

Murrumburrah Council Chambers circa 1937. Note the flag flying above the building and the white picket fence. Source: Littlejohn (2011).

- 2 December, Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate: H. Arthur T. Southwell, History of the Settlement and Growth of the Murrumburrah District – Fourth Series - … The Municipal Council. Reference: TROVE. This was one of an 8-part series published between November 1937 – January 1938 which outlined the history of the Harden – Murrumburrah area.

1938

- February: The Mayor pointed out that the building was overcrowded, with no offices for the Mayor or Town Clerk. A proposed frontal extension was not implemented due to the financial constraints and the onset of war the following year.

1939

- 29 May: Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate. Report on Municipal Council meeting.

1940

- 23 May: Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate. Report on the Municipality of Murrumburrah Golden Jubilee complimentary dinner held at the Carrington Hotel, Harden. The report contains a detailed history of the council and notes therein details regarding construction of the 1893 Council Chambers. Ref: TROVE.

1944

- 1 June: Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate. Meeting of the Murrumburrah - Harden District Patriotic Fund at Council Chambers to raise money through a Queen Competition.

1946

- 12 February: Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate. Meeting of the Lachlan Regional Development Committee held at Council Chambers.

1950

- 26 July: County Council Electricity Conference held at Council Chambers. Discussed formation of a County Council for the region.

- Map of the County of Harden, Eastern Division, NSW / compiled, drawn and printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, N.S.W, circa 1950. Similar to 1929 map. [Map]

1951

- 14 November: Announcement of Proposed Town Planning Scheme for Harden in the Municipality of Murrumburrah. Copies to be viewed at Council Chambers.

1954

- 18 May: National Advocate, Bathurst: Notice that at most recent council meeting, it was passed that licensees of hotels will be prosecuted if they leave beer barrels on footpaths.

1962

- Map of the town of Murrumburrah and part of suburban lands: Parish of Murrimboola, County of Harden, Land District of Young, N.S.W. 1962 / compiled, drawn & printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, N.S.W, 1962. [Map]

1963

- 26 July: NSW Government Gazette. Municipality of Murrumburrah – Sale of Land for Overdue Rates notice.

- Parish of Murrimboola, County of Harden: Land Districts of Boorowa and Young, Demondrille Shire and Municipality of Murrumburrah / compiled, drawn & printed at the Department of Lands, Sydney, N.S.W, 1964. [Map]

1970

- Harden - Murrumburrah Historical Society forms and meets in the Murrumburrah Municipal Council Chambers. It later moves to the former School of Arts building.

- 16 November: Murrumburrah Municipal Council resolves to prepare a Town and Country Planning Scheme for the Municipality. It can be viewed at the Council Chambers.

1974

-  30 August 1974: Murrumburrah Municipal Council and Demondrille Shire Council merge to form Harden Shire Council. The term of use of the Council Chambers draws to an end.

1975

- 1 January: Harden Shire becomes effective. A new Harden Shire Council building is opened in Harden to replace the old 1893 Council Chambers.

- n.d. The Murrumburrah Council Chambers is listed on the National Trust Country Register as heritage item 3638. This is a significant listing for Harden Murrumburrah, with many other properties and items listed on this preliminary heritage listing, prior to the development of Local, State and Federal listings and registers. 

- For a period the old council chambers building was utilised by Murrumburrah High School as rooms for 5th and 6th form. It is not clear precisely when this took place, but it may have been during the years 1975-9 when the building was still owned by Harden Shire Council.

1979

- Thursday 15 May Canberra Times:

Council chambers sold for $10,700

The Murrumburrah Municipal Council Chambers, on the highway through Harden Murrumburrah, were auctioned on Tuesday for $10,700 to Mr Graham Clarke, of Harden. The brick building, built in 1893, is rated by the National Trust as a contribution to the heritage of Australia. It is of Italian style with stucco decorations. The selling agent, Farmers and Graziers Cooperative Co Ltd, Harden, said Mr Clarke hoped to use the building for a restaurant or flats.

- 3 July. Transfer of title from Council of the Shire of Harden to Graham James Clarke of 349 Albury Street, Harden. This latter building was erected in 1899 and is currently (2021) operating as The Old Exchange Bed and Breakfast. 

- 25 July. Additional sanitation added to the property to create a second toilet on the south west corner of the buildings. This was associated with the work by the new owners to divide the interior of the building down the middle into two flats, with no connection between the two sides. It is assumed that it operated in this manner for the follow three decades. An awning is erected over the western entrance, and a bedroom is added to the internal front western section where the former chamber for meetings was.

1987

- 7 October. Title of the property at 230 Albury Street transferred from Graham James Clarke to Gillaine Nellie Clarke as part of separation (divorce) settlement.

1990

- D.I. McDonald, The Shire of Harden: a history of local government 1890-1990, Harden Shire Council, Harden, 1990, 103p.

1990. Source: Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society.

A photograph from 1990 reveals a pale facade trim with original two doors on the front. The twin letterboxes reveal the fact that the building now operates as two flats.

1998

1998. Source: Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society.

A photograph from 1998 displays a for sale sign by Bob Molloy Real Estate. It appears that the facade has also received some painting, with the sills of the windows a darker brown colour. It is difficult to be precise about this due to the fading of the photograph. Note the unpainted western side awning.

1999

1999. Source: Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society.

A photograph from this year reveals a Flat To Let sign on the front fence and more clearly displays the pale cream and dark brown trim.

2009

- Terry Kass, A Thematic History of Harden Shire, Harden Shire Council, 2009.

- Graham Edds & Associates in association with Terry Kass, Harden Community-Based Heritage Study, Harden Shire Council, 2009.

- Photograph of the building, looking south west, circa 2009. Source: Wikiwand - Murrumburrah. Reproduced on cover.

Municipality of Murrumburrah Council Chambers circa 2009.

– 30 May. The building is sold at auction for $130,000 by Ray White real estate / Delta First National. It would seem that in the twenty years between the previous sale and this, the internal structure of the building was altered to form two flats. As the original Council years floor plan is not known, the extent of these alterations is unclear. The following agent description was included in the promotional material for the sale:

Property Description: Our Absentee Vendor requires Closure. Ideal for first home buyer, take advantage [of the] $14,000 [government] subsidy. Live on one side [and] rent the other. Perfect for retirees or investor. Also, commercial usage, offices, gallery etc., subject to council DA approval. Prominent location [on] the main thoroughfare street through Harden Murrumburrah, also known as Burley Griffin Highway. See photo & details [on the] web site - better still inspect. This former Council Chamber building has been meticulously maintained over the years (not heritage listed). Now [includes] 2 up-market double brick 2-bedroom units/flats with new Hardi-plank bathroom/laundry rear additions. Both separately electrically metered [and a], large garage/workshop. At rear bitumen sealed street and lane way, excellent fencing adjoins a park. Truly a property with potential. Absentee Vendor requires closure. Selling price expectations under $180,000 to meet the market. Archived sale site:

https://www.domain.com.au/230-albury-street-murrumburrah-nsw-2587-2006505893. 

- 13 July. New ownership registered with NSW Land Titles Office. Reservations, limitations and qualifications on the title are noted therein.

- 22 September: The old Council Chambers is included on the Harden Shire Local Environmental Plan and the owner consulted by the NSW State Heritage Office in regard to Recommended Management.

- 24 September: The building was formally listed by the New South Wales Heritage Office. Reference: New South Wales Heritage Register listing for Murrumburrah Council Chambers (Former).

2010

– February. Google Maps street view image of the building. Painted cream and pale brown in heritage colours, with minimal garden plantings, open back yard, steel and corrugated iron fencing along west, east and southern boundaries and no extension to rear annex. Reference: Google Maps. [NB: Images retrieved February 2021].

Views (3) of the property from Google Maps. Images dated February 2010.

Aerial view of Albury Street, Harden, with the former Council Chambers in the middle section of the view, on the south side of the street and next to a reserve which marks the cutting off of Woolrych Street [NB: 226 is highlighted in red – 230 is two lots west]. Source: Google Maps. Retrieved January 2021.

- 11 September 2010. Photograph on Wikimedia Commons:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Council_Chambers_Murrumburrah.JPG

Murrumburrah Municipal Council Chambers, September 2010. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

2011

– Harden Local Environmental Plan 2011 Schedule 5 – Environmental Heritage (Clause 5.10). Reference:

http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/hlep2011270/sch5.html. 

Murrumburrah

Former council chambers

230 Albury Street

Lot 20, Section 35, DP 758737

Local

I77

- Richard Littlejohn, A brief history of the Harden Murrumburrah District, Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society and Harden Shire Council, reprint 2011, 16p. Includes an early photograph of the Murrumburrah Council Chambers circa 1940(?).

2012

- September: Property report for Flat 1 / 230 Albury Street, Harden, Domain, September 2012. Includes photograph of the interior of the building.

2013

- August: Property report for Flat 2 / 230 Albury Street, Harden, Domain, August 2015. Includes photographs of the interior of the building.

Helen Creagh, Gail Flanery and Merrien Baldry, Murrumburrah School of Arts – a history, ADFAS, Canberra, April 2013, 7p.

-----, Harden Mechanics Institute, ADFAS, Canberra, April 2013, 6p.

2014

- The building is returned to being a single family residence, and no long two flats. Alterations to the allotment are made in regard to the addition of internal wire fencing, erection of shade cover structures, installation of a large fish pond, installation of solar panels upon the roofs of the back sheds, expansion of gardens, and inclusion of concreted concrete blocks as garden edges and walls. The large trees at the front and the rear of the property are also cut down and the second Hills hoist is removed.

2016

- 12 May: Hilltops Council is formed from the merger of Harden Shire, Boorowa Shire and Young Shire.

2017

– 13 October. Photograph of the building painted blue and noted as rented as x2 two-bedroom residences. Photograph: Paul Leader - https://www.flickr.com/photos/bypaulleader/42320461491/in/photostream/. It was noted by Leader that “surprisingly” the building was not heritage listed. (NB: This is not correction. The building is only not listed on the Federal government Register of the National Estate, but is listed on various State and Local government registers, along with the National Trust).

Former Council Chambers, 230 Albury Street, Harden, 2017. Source: Paul Leader, Flickr.

2018

– Hilltop Council tourist guide publication does not list the building as a heritage item in Harden – Murrumburrah. This would suggest that the owner did not desire this, or the physical changes to the building and its environs affected its heritage listing. It may also reflect its continued isolation from the twin town centres.

2019

– 4 January. Photograph on Flickr by denisbin:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/82134796@N03/32079331427/in/photostream/.

2020 

- July. Murrumburrah Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan [Draft], Hilltops Council,  July 2020, 129p. Identifies flooding risks in the vicinity of 230 Albury Street Harden, and the role of the adjacent culvert in the allotment to the west for flood mitigation. Major risks are associated with the nearby Murrimboola Creek catchment.

Former Council Chambers, November 2020. Source: Flemings Property Services, Harden.

- 20 November: offered for sale by Flemings Property Services, Harden. https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-harden-134947734. Numerous photographs plus approximate floor plan provided. Purchased for $300K by the author, 22 February 2021. Agent description: Formally Harden Council Chambers, now residential home, perfect for a large family. Double brick construction, situated on approximately 1020m². Four large bedrooms with wardrobes and ceiling fans and one with r/c air-conditioning. Spacious formal living area with fireplace and formal dining area. Modern, main kitchen/dining area with electric stove top/oven, ceiling fan and ample storage. Main bathroom with shower, bath and toilet, recently renovated. Spacious laundry with shower and toilet. Rear sun room. Second kitchenette which could be served as a perfect granny flat for privacy. Covered back entertaining area. 6.5 kilowatt solar. Double carport and garage, 6 x 8m with power. Established trees and gardens, very well-manicured and rear lane access. This home has been beautifully renovated and boasts high ceilings, old world charm with a large back garden. Located walking distance to shops, café, high school and Harden's main street. Allotment size: 1020 m². Floor area: 158 m². 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces. Lot 20 Section 35 DP758737. Price: $315,000.

Rear view of property, November 2020.

- 1 December: Facebook entry for the property sale.

2021

- February: Draft floor plan. This is based on the Flemings Property Services plan and an inspection of the property by the author. NB: Within the floor plan, blank spaces in walls are usually doors and doorways. The four fireplaces are shown as blocks in walls.Note the division of the building down the centre, made in connection with its conversion to two flats after 1979 and prior to 2014.

- 26 March - property sold for $300,000.

- 29 April - videos presenting a walk around of the building and adjacent reserve.

References

Creagh, Helen, Flanery, Gail and Baldry, Merrien, Murrumburrah School of Arts – a history, ADFAS, Canberra, April 2013, 7p.

-----, Harden Mechanics Institute, ADFAS, Canberra, April 2013, 6p.

Littlejohn, Robert, A brief history of the Harden Murrumburrah District, Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society and Harden Shire Council, reprint 2011, 16p.

McDonald, D.I., The Shire of Harden: a history of local government 1890-1990, Harden Shire Council, Harden, 1990, 103p.

New South Wales Government Gazette. Various dates. Digitised on TROVE, National Library of Australia.

Southwell, H. Arthur T., History of the Settlement and Growth of the Murrumburrah District, Murrumburrah Signal and County of Harden Advocate, November 1937 - February 1938.

Last updated: 20 October 2021

Micheal Organ