The Annual Gathering of the DGS for 2009 was held in Orange, New South Wales, Australia from Friday 13th March to Sunday 15th March 2009. The City of Orange was founded in 1846 and gold was discovered there in 1851. Orange has many sites of historical interest and the Dalton family is prominently included. The meeting was held at Duntryleague, a grand residence built by James Dalton the younger in 1876, and the Dinner at Heritage House.

21 March 2009

Dear Members and Friends who attended the meeting,

Re: Dalton Genealogical Society Gathering 13-15 March 2009
Orange, New South Wales

Thank you all for coming to the gathering of DGS members and friends last week-end and making it such a memorable occasion.

I have to confess to being slightly overwhelmed at the enthusiastic response displayed and all the wonderful help Helen Smith and I have been given in making it a success. I won’t list all the help but nothing of this size can ever take place without a great deal of support and it says much for the natural tendency of Australians as a whole, and of course Australian Dalton Genealogical Society members in particular, to help out. Helen deserves a personal thank you from me and on behalf of the DGS as it might not have happened without her encouragement and input.

To the main speakers: Robert Bruce, Michael Dalton and David Preston an extra thank you and praise also to all those who said a few words about their own families on Saturday morning at Duntryleague. There were those who organised; those who quietly helped in the background and incidentally my flatmate and my neighbours and friends who kept me sane, sorted out computer problems, etc. and checked and double-checked everything I was struggling to complete in time.

How could we forget the delicious afternoon tea in Virginia Higgins’ tin shed at Millthorpe with the much needed rain beating down; the very modern little house invisible from the road and the view of the gum trees and the fields?

And how about that visit to Scott Gilbank’s house “Mena” in Orange that he has so beautifully restored in a sympathetic way that took us back in memory to the time when part of the Dalton family owned the house.

“Kangaroobie” – oh my goodness what a magnificent place with its beautiful grounds and brought to life by recollections of living there by John B Dalton and his sister Trish Fox.

Saturday dinner at Heritage House and Frank Daniel, the bush poet, whose highly entertaining presence was kindly sponsored and arranged for by Wendy Fleming in the area of A.B. “Banjo” Patterson’s birth. Talent will out and what a treat to have Rosemary Fogarty playing her guitar to accompany Mary Ann Gamutan and myself singing; Lunch at Sister’s Rock Restaurant, Borrodell Vineyard in the magnificent setting in Canobolas National Park, and the barbecue at Duntryleague Golf Club House on Sunday evening with several men in their barbecuing element but especially Gavan Smith and John B Dalton.

Nor should we forget Kate Dalton coaxing us all to buy raffle tickets and raising $356.00 for the Red Cross Victorian Bush Fire Appeal, which I understand from them will go towards supporting the victims in many ways.

I would also like to thank Jilly Warren, who started the DGS in Australia 21 years ago, for organising and in no small measure providing some of the gifts to speakers and helpers.

If I have omitted anyone from the list of thank yous, please forgive me and I just hope that all those who came from far and wide enjoyed it all as much as I did.

Now it’s over to the rest of you to contribute your own recollections. Don’t forget that Dairne Irwin is hoping for contributions to the "Daltons in History" section of the DGS website and John Dalton, Editor of the DGS Journal is also waiting in anticipation – well, when he and Sheila finally get back to Lancashire after all their travels.


Kindest regards,


Maureen Collins
DGS Secretary
Australia/New Zealand

by Ellen Vaz of the Central Western Daily newspaper

Duntryleague was again home to the Dalton family on the weekend when it hosted a family reunion on an international scale.

The annual gathering of the Dalton Genealogical Society was held in Orange to recognise the significance of the family’s contribution to the city and introduce Australian members of the clan to the Dalton Database and International DNA Project.

Orange resident Robert Bruce, who is descended from James Dalton who built Duntryleague in 1876, spoke at the gathering about the Daltons of Orange.

His audience included members of the far-flung family who had travelled from Ireland, England and America.

“It’s a worldwide organisation for people connected to various strands of the Dalton family. The Daltons of Orange have only recently been discovered. They’re doing DNA testing of the male Daltons to link back to where they come from,” he said.

FAMILY TREE: Robert Bruce and chairman of the
Dalton Genealogical Society Michael Neale Dalton trace their
family history at the society’s gathering in Orange on Saturday

The gathering included a tour of significant properties in Orange which were built or owned by the Daltons, including Duntryleague, Galbally at Byng Street and Mena in Kite Street.

The meeting on Saturday, including Mr Bruce’s speech, was streamed live on to the internet.

Mr Bruce said the database and DNA projects were “fascinating”.

“It’s just a feeling of people belonging to something. It’s interesting to know how this particular Irish family has been spread all over the world,” he said.

The database will record more than 300,000 pieces of information about births, deaths and marriages related to the family.

From Maureen Collins the Australian and New Zealand Secretary

The following comments have been received by me since the meeting in Orange NSW and in response to my open letter of thanks to delegates. I also sent photos on line to a few people. I have included comments not necessarily related to the Orange meeting but still connected to family and local history, for example from Jilly Warren.

It should also be noted that the thanks are more general than personal as I represent the DGS in Australia and New Zealand and I have had a lot of help from various members and friends.

If there are other notes of thanks they may well be at my home in Sydney and I will find them on my return there in October. It is likely there are new membership applications there also and I will enquire about this and be in contact where necessary and in a short while.

From June and Catherine Self, Melbourne:

Catherine and June Self
with Pat Barlow and Maureen Collins

Dear Maureen,

Hope that by now you have recovered from "Daltonia" and can relax with a superb job well done. The effort of yourself and team is much appreciated as Catherine and I had a great time and think ORANGE is just a beautiful part of this country......Complaints?????????

WE WERE JUST TALKED OUT

Enjoy your time away.

June and Catherine

 

From Roslyn Chapman in response to my query about possible food poisoning over the week-end but which turned out to be a virus affecting some people:

Thanks. I ate the veal dish and the beef on Sunday and I was 100% OK, but my family says that I have a cast-iron stomach, as I do not get sick in the tummy very often. I had a great time.

Love Ros

 

From Wendy Fleming:

Wendy Fleming

Thank you for the Australia plate I do like that ware but I did very little, and what I did do was just to help the weekend go well. It seems it did.

Re the bush poet Frank, he served his purpose and gave the older Australians a trip down memory lane.

 

From Paddy and Pat Dalton, Ireland:

Trish Fox, Paddy and Patricia Dalton
with Pauline Dalton and Maureen Collins

Maureen,

A huge thank you for your work on the convention in Orange.....it was all so enjoyable and exciting, and the DNA relationship with the Daltons of Orange was really a great surprise. They were lovely people and have already sent on details of the family.

I know that you were upset about the food hitch, but these things happen everywhere without notice. That Sunday lunch was beautifully served in idyllic surroundings. The negative part will be forgotten very quickly and we will remember all the great things that occurred at this Conference.

At this point we are heading up to Cairns to complete a great holiday.

So once again, congratulations to all the team.

Pat Dalton

 

To: maureen collins
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: Emailing: Birthday dinner; afternoon tea; orange meeting 070

Dear Maureen,

Congratulations on a job well done and more than well done. It was a splendid weekend. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Rosemary is coming around later to read the emails, etc. She has been very busy with school and private students. I really don't know how you managed to arrange all that and have it all go off so well. I would be interested to know your Dalton family history. I'm afraid I did not get around to finding out, if it was possible, how we have the same DNA as Wendy and Helen.

You are as I imagined you to be. You have done a wonderful job too. I hope we will meet again some day Maureen.

Very best wishes from Anne

 

From Jilly and Ralph Warren:

Jilly and Ralph Warren

Subject: Photos and Job Well Done

Dear Maureen, Great photo!!! Haven't even looked at mine yet. Haven't had time yet.
Have refrained from sending an email to you knowing how busy you were getting ready to go away. You must be very pleased with your accomplishments. Everyone seems pleased with the whole weekend, real pity about the ones who got sick. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit inland. Orange is such a lovely country town.

As usual I arrived home to dramas. Not family but local government/State Planning issues re Riverstone and the old Meatworks. I am presently wading through 3 inches of double sided proposal for Riverstone West to be developed. Almost all floodplain.
We are in for quite a time while we fight the proposed demolition of 14 heritage listed houses and the filling of the floodplain all supposedly for the generation of 12,000 jobs.
Well actually 12,000 jobs moved from somewhere else. Anyway protests underway with a public meeting called. Hope my lobbying has got the National Trust involved and also the Greens. Filling a floodplain albeit as stated, moving one pile of dirt from one place to another, is not my idea of Environmental Good Works.

Kate and Michael sent an email saying how much they enjoyed Orange and the doings and their individual gifts and I was quite touched by the copies of thanks you sent on to me re some of the other gifts. Really overwhelmed with this Riverstone stuff. Quite important to a lot of the local people, the destruction of much of their history.

Well done again. Have a bit of a rest.

Much Love

Ralph and Jilly


The following is from a member of the Orange and District Historical Society who attended the Saturday morning meeting and came on the historical tour in the afternoon. The tour was kindly arranged by Phil Stevenson, President of that Society, and who attended the Saturday meeting and the Sunday lunch and barbecue. I have also received a note of thanks from him.

From: julie sykes [mailto:djsykes@tsn.cc]
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 7:03 AM
To: 'Maureen Collins'
Subject: Dalton weekend at Orange


Hi Maureen

Congratulations on a wonderful weekend! Thank you for extending such a warm welcome. I enjoyed the Saturday immensely and was very grateful to be able to attend. As a new comer to Orange and its history it was a great opportunity to learn about the Dalton family and their contribution to our city we now call home. I found the information about the DNA project very informative and have decided to look at a similar one I’ve heard about a few years ago for the Sykes family. It was great visiting all the Dalton houses and especially felt privileged to be able to see ‘Mena’. Thank you for a great day!

Cheers
Julie

 

From Patricia Barlow of Mount Isa, Queensland, cousin of Gerry Dalton:

It was great to have so many Daltons in attendance. Finance permitting I would love to attend the next gathering in Salt Lake City.

 

Thanks to Rosey Serisier for her reminiscences of the Orange Gathering:

Just a note to say that I went to the recent Dalton Family Gathering in Orange last weekend with my mother (Rosemary Serisier nee Dalton) and my sister (Annette Serisier). We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and we couldn't have enjoyed it any more than we did if we tried. It was wonderful catching up with our family, meeting other people that we had never met before, and hearing so many different stories.

Thank you for organising such a wonderful event. My mother, sister and I have beautiful memories from that weekend to cherish forever.

Kind regards

Rosey (Serisier)

 

My final para:

I have thanked all the delegates for coming but I have not added my own comments except in the open letter already published.

In some ways it is easier to look back at the whole week-end from afar, rather than when so closely involved and I have to say it was a very new experience in my life. Although I was one of those secretarial "dragon ladies" for most of my working life, anything I organised was done to a plan made by someone else. This year in Australia I felt the responsibility was largely mine and that the DGS in Australia and New Zealand would charge ahead or waver depending on how it all went. The fact that the meeting has been an unqualified success is thanks to all those who took part as observers, students or active participants and all who attended should give themselves a pat on the back for doing so.

The city of Orange, New South Wales, is certainly now on the DGS map and I think and hope that friendships and family connections will evolve even further in the next few years. I hope too that many will take advantage of everything gained from the week-end adventure and continue their own researches, take part in their own DNA tests and tell the rest of us something of this. So it's over to you, DGS members worldwide and I look forward to many contributions over the next few months and years. Since I obviously have to include myself in this rallying cry, watch this space everyone!

Maureen Collins

Michael Dalton gives his personal account of the Dalton Genealogical Society’s Annual Gathering for 2009 held in Orange, New South Wales, Australia.

Thursday 12th March 2009

Kate and I arrived in Orange in the late afternoon, having travelled on the scenic route from the Hunter Valley by way of Colo Heights, Kurrajong, Mount Tomah in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Bathurst. We soon found the Central Caleula Motor Inn, settled into our room and met up with other members of the “advance party” – Helen & Gavan Smith, John & Sheila Dalton and Karen & David Preston.

Helen & Gavan arranged for us all to have dinner together at an Italian restaurant in Orange and we enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with each other and exchange details of our respective travels. Kate and I had met Maureen in Sydney on the previous Monday evening and we had agreed to meet with Maureen on Friday morning at about 10.00 am to go to Duntryleague House and check all the arrangements for Saturday. I asked David, who had brought all the equipment with him for the live video broadcast to the DGS website, to join us.

Friday 13th March 2009

Friday morning turned out to be wet – Kate and I had experienced wet weather on every Friday while we had been away so this came as no surprise! Maureen joined us at the Motor Inn, having stayed overnight in Orange with friends and, after checking a few other things, we went off to Duntryleague to find that the manager would not be available until 12 noon. In the meantime David and I tried to connect up to the promised wireless internet service. No joy but it was Friday the 13th! We looked around Duntryleague and found the very impressive stained glass window of the Dalton coat of arms on the staircase. Interestingly the arms are the English Dalton ones with the semee of cross-crosslets, rather than the fleur de lies normally found on Irish Dalton arms.

Keith the manager duly arrived and when he switched the router on and gave us the password everything worked perfectly for video streaming and the internet. David and I were now as happy as sandpipers and we returned to the Motor Inn confident that all was in order.

Some delegates had already checked in and registered and I was able to take the opportunity to meet new faces. Soon it was time to depart for afternoon tea at Millthorpe hosted by Virginia Higgins. Kate and I took David and Karen in our car and, despite the excellent directions, we managed to travel by a very circuitous route and arrive at Millthorpe last – I blame the navigator! Virginia has a charming second home in Millthorpe affectionately known as “the shed”. True part of it is an old farm shed, but there is also some very well appointed living accommodation. It’s just as well “the shed” was there because, during the course of the afternoon, the heavens opened and it provided much needed shelter. Although the rain was welcomed by the locals (water is in short supply in New South Wales), it in no way dampened the enthusiasm of all present to meet their fellow delegates, many of whom had travelled direct to Millthorpe en route to Orange. In all about 30 of us had gathered and we were treated to a most sumptuous tea, courtesy of Virginia and her family.

In the evening, many of us enjoyed dinner at the Union Bank Restaurant, in nearby Sale Street, Orange. This provided another informal opportunity to meet delegates and also to sample wines from the local vineyards.

Saturday 14th March 2009

An early breakfast this morning, as it had been agreed that David, Karen and I would arrive at Duntryleague by 8.30 am for final setting up and connection of the all important digital projector, kindly loaned by a friend of Robert Bruce, one of our speakers. Everything was up and running in good time and delegates started arriving around 9.30 am.

At 10.00 am I opened the proceedings with a welcome to all our delegates (some 60 of them) and a brief illustrated explanation of how it had taken Kate and I six weeks to travel to Orange. I was also able to demonstrate that our DGS conference was indeed being broadcast live on the internet, by switching on to the DGS website so that all could see the live picture for themselves. This was certainly a first for the DGS, and I suspect probably for any family history society. It was with great pride that I was able to greet our wider audience of DGS members in England, Ireland, America and Australia unable physically to join us in Orange, but nevertheless able to be part of our gathering conference thanks to the wonders of modern technology. A big thank you to Martin Fitzgerald back in England and David Preston present in Orange for making it all possible.

My next task was to announce that Millicent Craig has now completed her handover of the role of DGS American Secretary to Karen Preston, and, with Millicent’s retirement, Karen is now the Society’s North American Secretary. I then announced the committee’s unanimous decision to create the post of DGS Vice President, and the appointment of Millicent to this post in recognition of all she has done for the DGS over so many years. This was met with great acclamation by all present. I then handed over to Maureen who had the formidable task of introducing all the delegates. This she did with great skill, inviting each family group to say a few words of introduction.

After the coffee break I introduced the next session, an update on the Dalton International DNA Project (DIDP) and the Dalton Data Bank (DDB), two of the DGS’s most important projects. I was able to give a preview of the content of Issue 3 of the DIDP Progress Report and invite Wendy Fleming and Karen Preston, as the coordinators of genetic families “B” and “D” respectively, to say a little more about these two groups, which were so well represented amongst the delegates. Then David Preston gave a comprehensive report on how he has transformed the DDB and his plans for a new Mark 2 version. Links to the slides for both these presentations will be found below. Edited videos of the presentations themselves can be found here in "Video on Demand".

We then turned to the Dalton family who settled in Orange back in the 1840’s and Maureen invited our guest speaker, Robert Bruce, to take the platform. Robert, himself a descendant of the Daltons of Orange, was well qualified to tell the story of this remarkable family, as he had been closely involved with the family gathering back in 1988 and the production of the book published at that time, for which he assembled or took all of the photographs. The story starts with the arrival of James Dalton transported as a convict from Ireland to Sydney in 1835 and tells how, after seven years he received his certificate of freedom and was able to set up his own trading business at Summerhill. From these small beginnings the family grew and prospered, becoming leading lights in the establishment of the City of Orange. Thirty years later the mansion, Duntryleague was built as the family home, named after the place from where the family originated in Co Limerick, Ireland. Again, an edited video of Robert’s presentation can be found here in "Video on Demand".

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks to the speakers from Gerry Dalton, a member of the Australian sub-committee of the DGS. Following announcements about forthcoming DGS events later in 2009 and in 2010, it was time for the buffet lunch. I spent a large part of my lunchtime being interviewed, filmed and photographed by the local press and TV station, and then looking after payments of balances from delegates for the various events and activities over the weekend.

I just about had time to eat a sandwich before setting out for the afternoon guided walk around Orange, led by Ross Maroney, a member of the Orange and District Historical Society. The walk concentrated on places of historic interest in the town, with particular reference to buildings associated with the Daltons of Orange. These included several Dalton homes, the most noteworthy of which was “Mena” House, now beautifully restored by the present owner, Scott Gilbank. Scott kindly invited a party of some 30 of us to see the inside of his home and its lovely garden. We also saw St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church which contains many stained glass memorial windows to members of the Dalton family, and the fountain and bandstand in Cook Park, both gifts from the Daltons to the City of Orange.

Then it was back to our hotel and a little free time before the pre-dinner reception at Heritage House, adjoining Central Caleula Motor Lodge, with a welcome glass of wine and an opportunity to meet more of the delegates. At 7.30 pm 60 people sat down for the Annual Dalton Genealogical Society Dinner at Heritage House. Kate and I enjoyed the company of the Fogarty family at our table and an excellent meal. After dinner we were entertained by Frank Daniel, the bush poet, and by songs from Maureen and Mary Ann Gamutan, accompanied by Rosemary Fogarty on the guitar. Then there was the charity raffle, ably organised by Kate, which raised A$356 (£180) for the Red Cross Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. So concluded a long but very exciting and successful day.

Sunday 15th March 2009

I was able to take breakfast at a more leisurely pace this morning and still be ready for the 10.00 am departure for the visit to “Kangaroobie”, former home of delegates, John Dalton and Trish Fox. John and Trish both reminisced about their childhood days at this beautiful country home, about ten miles west of Orange. The house and gardens have been restored to their former glory in recent years by new owners and we were most fortunate to be allowed to make this visit. Along with Duntryleague and Mena House, Kangaroobie is another fine example of how successful the Daltons of Orange were in their local community. We lingered in the bright and warm sunshine listening to John and Trish, as they remembered past times at this place.

All too soon it was time to continue on to lunch at the Sister’s Rock Restaurant, Borrodell on the Mount Vineyard. Borrodell is in the picturesque Towac Valley, adjacent to Lake Canobolas and nestling in the lea of Mount Canobolas and the National Park. The restaurant provided a wonderful setting for a very enjoyable meal, after which some of us drove to the top of Mount Canobolas, from where there is a superb view of the surrounding countryside.

We returned to Orange and readied ourselves for the evening barbecue being held at the Duntryleague Golf Club House. John Dalton and Gavan Smith shouldered the burden of cooking for about 40 people and everyone enjoyed the informal and relaxed atmosphere in the club house. The evening closed with presentations and thank you’s to all those who had worked so hard to make the weekend the success it undoubtedly had been.

Monday 16th March 2009

Time to bid farewell to everyone staying at the Central Caleula. And some paperwork for Maureen and I to complete, ensuring that the payments collected from delegates, and made to the various providers for our activities and events, were all properly accounted for. We certainly missed you Mel, in your capacity as the DGS Treasurer!

With the paperwork complete and the packing done, Kate and I departed from Orange for Canberra, the next stop on our three week journey home. As I write we have only one week left before the end of our round the world journey – but that is another chapter and it will have to wait for another time!

Reflecting on the weekend, a number of things stand out in my mind. First, it was one of the largest gatherings the DGS has ever held with over 60 delegates in total for most of the weekend. Second, the timely bringing together of the Daltons of Orange and other members of DIDP genetic family “D”, as a result of the match of John Bruce Dalton, added another surprise and unexpected dimension to the weekend. Thirdly, the pleasure of being together that was apparent among the many Daltons of Orange present. Fourthly, the beauty of Orange itself as a location, and for most of the time we were blessed with good weather.

All of these and more – each delegate will have their own memories – contributed to the success of the weekend. Above all though, we must not forget the enormous amount of work undertaken by Maureen and Helen and the Australian DGS team to make it all happen. Planning started two years ago and I know that all delegates will join me in expressing our thanks to them for a truly memorable time.

During the weekend Maureen Collins, David Preston, Paddy Dalton and Michael Neale Dalton took a number of photographs covering most elements of the weekend. A selection of these will be found in the DGS Orange 2009 Gallery – just follow this link

In addition to being a photographic record, they attempt to capture the spirit and camaraderie of the gathering and we hope both delegates and this website’s wider audience will enjoy them. Inevitably there are gaps and, if you have any of your own photographs which you would like to add to the gallery, please email them to michaelndalton@aol.com and we will upload them – the more the merrier!!

Videos of Presentations made at the DGS Orange Gathering can be found here (in Flash format). Additionally, the "Daltons of Orange" presentation video can be found here (in HTML and Flash).

On Saturday morning, talks were given by Michael Dalton on the Dalton International DNA Project (DIDP) and David Preston on the Dalton Data Bank. Excellent slides and videos (both in Flash) for each talk may be found here.

 

Annual Gathering for 2009
Friday 13th March to Sunday 15th March 2009
Orange, New South Wales, Australia

 

Friday 13th March 2009

12 - 2.15pm
Delegates check in and register at Central Caleula Motor Lodge reception or at other accommodation in the usual manner. Access to bedrooms will be arranged as early as possible.
2.30 pm

Afternoon tea at Millthorpe hosted by Virginia Higgins. Those requiring transport, please gather at Central Caleula at 2.00 pm.

from 5.45pm
DGS Registration Desk open again.

Dinner will be available in the Union Bank Restaurant, Sale Street, Orange.

 

Saturday 14th March 2009

From 8.00am

Breakfast at your motel or guest house

9.45am

Delegates to gather at Duntryleague Guest House, Woodward Road, Orange

10.00am

Opening of the Gathering by Michael Neale Dalton, Chairman and Honorary Life President

Introducing the Dalton Genealogical Society and Australian and overseas Daltons

An interactive session led by Maureen Collins and Helen Smith

10.30am

Break for coffee/tea and biscuits

10.45am

The Dalton International DNA Project

The Dalton Data Bank

By Michael Neale Dalton and David Preston

11.45am

The Daltons of Orange

A presentation by Robert Bruce

12.30pm

Buffet lunch at Duntryleague

2:00pm

A stroll around Duntryleague grounds

2.30pm

A guided walk around Orange starting from. "Galbally", 60 Byng Street (21 on the Heritage Trail) The walk will be led by Ross Maroney, a member of the Orange and District Historical Society, and we will see and hear about a number of places of historic interest in the town.

There will be some free time between the conclusion of the guided walk and the evening's activities.

7.00pm

Informal Reception at Heritage House, adjoining Central Caleula Motor Lodge. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. Meet the DGS Officers and Committee, and other delegates. A display of Dalton family history will be on view.

7:30pm
The Annual Dalton Genealogical Society Dinner at Heritage House. Dinner will be followed by entertainment and a charity raffle.

 

Sunday 15th March 2009

From 8.00am

Breakfast at your motel or guest house

10:00am

Depart for a visit to "Kangaroobie", former home of John Dalton and Trish Fox. We will continue on to Mt Canobolas and then to lunch.

12:30pm

Arrive at Sister’s Rock Restaurant, Borrodell on the Mount Vineyard, for lunch with optional visit to the adjoining winery tasting room. Borrodell is 10 minutes from Orange in the picturesque Towac Valley, adjacent to Lake Canobolas and nestling in the lea of Mt Canobolas and the National Park.

5:00pm

Return to Orange in time to ready yourselves for the evening.

6.30pm

A Barbecue will be held at Duntryleague Club House.

Ample parking is available in both the parking area immediately in front of the Guest House and at the rear of the Guest House in front of the Club House.

The Club House requires a high standard of smart casual clothing.

 

Monday 16th March 2009

From 8.00am

Breakfast at your motel or guest house

Delegates depart.

Duntryleague, Orange, New South Wales

James Dalton arrived in Sydney on the convict Barque Hive on the 11 December 1835, having been deported from County Limerick, Ireland to serve a 7 year term in the Colony. He was granted his freedom in 1842 and by 1848 he had established a general store in Summerhill, some 5 miles from what is now the City of Orange [named after the Prince of Orange, it is generally accepted, rather than the growing of oranges]. In 1849 James Dalton’s 15 year old son James joined his father, who was then living at Bathurst, NSW.

In 1876, James Dalton the younger built Duntryleague, a mansion with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. The mansion was sold to Orange Golf Club in 1935 when an eighteen hole championship golf course was established. The house itself is used as a club house with some guest house accommodation.

COME TO ORANGE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Come to Orange, New South Wales!
There’s so much there to do and see
Especially in March next year
With the Dalton G.S. family

A pioneering city this with Dalton homes a-plenty
Let us begin with “Duntryleague”
T’was built by James the Younger, just one of
Many houses full of Dalton history

And Orange has a princely name for reasons quite obscure
Not oranges, but apples; grapes and cherries too
For there are many puzzles in the land of the kangaroo
To gain a little insight, why not take the heritage tour

From the top of Mount Canobolas across those sweeping plains
No beaches here in Orange but hills and creeks and rivers
Though drought is always likely with farmers ever hopeful
That there will be more rains

So come to Orange, New South Wales in March
Two thousand nine
To take a tour and meet with friends both old and new
We’ll put out Aussie welcome mats to make you feel at home
And drink a toast to everyone with first class local wine.