Talbingo History & General Interest

Talbingo....Miles Franklin Country

The Church of Saint Paul Talbingo - Historical Account

Birds Found in the Immediate Area of the Talbingo Township

Talbingo....Miles Franklin Country

When near Talbingo make sure you see the memorial to Australian authoress, Stella Maria "Miles Franklin", who was born at Talbingo in 1879.  Miles Franklin's most famous book, "My Brilliant Career", was filmed in 1979 and "Cadigat" was in reality Talbingo homestead. A sign points to her birthplace, now submerged by Jounama Pondage.  Outside the school another plaque dedicates the Australian Section to Miles Franklin.

If the library is open you may inspect an album compiled to preserve a pictorial record of the little girl who was determined to write and live her way in spite of the difficulties encountered in her generation.  The Miles Franklin memorial committee has erected other signs to commemorate the site of the historic Talbingo Hotel and the Hume and Hovell crossing.  All of these within a few kilometres of each other at Talbingo.

Source: Unknown

The Church of Saint Paul Talbingo - Historical Account

Church services are held at 9.00am Sunday, with the exception of the third Sunday in the Month.

On the 5th of February 1965, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority wrote to various churches indicating that a township, to be known as Talbingo, would be established to house the workforce constructing the Tumut 3 Project and that land sizes would be available for churches and other community buildings.

On the 25th of June 1965, a meeting took place at Blowering Dam to discuss the requirements for the church services at Blowering and later at Talbingo.  From this meeting the churches considered that it was possible to coordinate the formation of a combined church at Talbingo.

In November 1965, a constitution was agreed to, by the authority as owners of the building and the three churches as users, and acceptance of this constitution was on the 13th of January 1966.

On the 29th of July 1966, the tender of D. and D. construction Pty Ltd Wagga Wagga was accepted and the church was completed on the 12th of April 1967, at a final cost of approximately $80,000.

The church was dedicated on the 23rd of April 1967 and the ceremony was unique in the history of churches in Australia when the three churches were required to combine in one acceptable dedication service, during which the commissioner, Sir William Hudson, read the petition and afterwards placed the keys, petition and deed on the altar for dedication by the three church dignitaries.

With the snowy mountains hydro electric authority withdrawing from the township of Talbingo and the transferring of the town to Tumut Shire in the near future and after discussions with the three churches, it was decided that an incorporated body would be acceptable.

On the 19th of February 1991, a certificate of incorporation was issued by the corporate affairs commission at Sydney to 'The Church of St. Paul Talbingo Incorporated', the members being -

* The bishop of the Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn
* The archbishop of Roman Catholic Church of Canberra and Goulburn
* The moderator of the Uniting Church of Australia
* Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church of Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
* The Uniting Church of Australia Property Trust.

With the incorporation of 'The Church of St. Paul Talbingo Incorporated' being completed, the transfer of title could now proceed with the Snowy Mountains hydroelectric authority transferring the church and grounds for the nominal purchase price of $10.00, plus Solicitor's fees. This transaction was completed and the Land Titles Office issued the 'Certificate of Title' on the 21st of November 1991, to 'The Church of St. Paul Talbingo Incorporated'.

The Church, after its 25 years, is still unique in that three churches are combined in providing worship from the various Christian denominations.

Church services are held at 9.00am Sunday, with the exception of the third Sunday in the Month.

Source: Unknown

Birds Found in the Immediate Area of the Talbingo Township

KEY Abundance Codes- A-Abundant, C-Common, MC-Moderately Common, UC-Uncommon, V-Vagrant, R-Rare.

Movement Codes- AM-Annual Migrant, N-Nomadic, S-Sedentary.

List compiled by Ian Harpley and Wilma Emerton based on their observations and those of other “birdos” since approximately 1981.   If you see birds that are not on the list contact Ian or Wilma on 02 6949 5207.