Heritage Lilydale is a not-for profit community group which aims to preserve, record, interpret and stimulate ongoing interest in the rich heritage of the Lilydale district in Tasmania's beautiful northeast.
Heritage Lilydale's Third History Gathering
on Sunday 12 November 2023:
10:30 am a morning of displays, family history research help, back to Lilydale get together.
From 1.00 pm, four x 20 min presentations by people with generations long connections to the district, on:
Frank Walker, horticulturalist, trained at Kew Gardens in London. At Lalla, Frank's orchards helped earn Lilydale the title of "appleland of the north." The family also left the Pear Walk, rhododendron gardens and Hollybank, as Marian Walker professional historian will relate.
Boon times in Lilydale Edith Boon married the eldest son of a Methodist minister who fled the Barossa Valley and its wine culture. David Boon (educator, not cricketer) wrote a book about the Boons of Tasmania and will share more intriguing family history.
Amanda Olson and Peter Leech - history of Lalla - excerpts from their book in preparation.
Ludwig Bardenhagen land purchases in Lilydale and surrounds by Helen Pratt nee Higgs and a proud Bardenhagen descendant. Helen has a strong interest in the buildings of Lilydale township and the stories of each passing generation that occupied them.
ALL WELCOME. Gold coin donation for your cuppa and bickies, please. Anyone interested in offering a family display however modest, contact us and we're happy to help. Email: heritagelilydale@gmail.com
on Sunday 12 November 2023:
10:30 am a morning of displays, family history research help, back to Lilydale get together.
From 1.00 pm, four x 20 min presentations by people with generations long connections to the district, on:
Frank Walker, horticulturalist, trained at Kew Gardens in London. At Lalla, Frank's orchards helped earn Lilydale the title of "appleland of the north." The family also left the Pear Walk, rhododendron gardens and Hollybank, as Marian Walker professional historian will relate.
Boon times in Lilydale Edith Boon married the eldest son of a Methodist minister who fled the Barossa Valley and its wine culture. David Boon (educator, not cricketer) wrote a book about the Boons of Tasmania and will share more intriguing family history.
Amanda Olson and Peter Leech - history of Lalla - excerpts from their book in preparation.
Ludwig Bardenhagen land purchases in Lilydale and surrounds by Helen Pratt nee Higgs and a proud Bardenhagen descendant. Helen has a strong interest in the buildings of Lilydale township and the stories of each passing generation that occupied them.
ALL WELCOME. Gold coin donation for your cuppa and bickies, please. Anyone interested in offering a family display however modest, contact us and we're happy to help. Email: heritagelilydale@gmail.com

UPDATE APRIL 2023 - IN PREPARATION.
UPDATE 5 July 2022
Current executive.
Contact email: heritagelilydale@gmail.com
PO Box 199, Lilydale, TAS, 7268
HL members meet every second Thursday and go on occasional excursions according to member suggestions. The last was the Lalla Church (soon to be wine tasting centre) and old Lalla Post Office (see a post and photos on the Facebook group page). Forthcoming excursions will continue and are likely to include visits to Bellingham, Lefroy, and a look at the Bakers oven in Station Road.
Heritage Lilydale members met on the 23rd of June 2022 in the Community Learning and Online Centre at the Area School. In that room, as part of the Lilydale District School Fair on 9 September 2022, we will set up displays and be available to help family or local history researchers.
It was decided to hold another * History Gathering * on Sunday 19 March 2022. This may still be dependent on the state of corona virus and vaccine program at that time. Our format will follow that of the first two successful Gatherings in 2018 and 2019.
Morning 9 am to 1.00 pm : - Lilydale family displays, research help and workshops, general back-to-Lilydale get together, yarn and cuppa. Gold coin donation, please; coffee, tea and bickies available.
Afternoon: 1.00 pm to 3.30 presentations by speakers - to be finalised by year's end.
Please consider becoming a HL member for $20 a year and have access to our expertise, help, network, online and print resources, excursions and Gatherings.
PROJECTS include:
· investigating the old buildings of Lilydale;
· commemorating areas of interest including the installation of a plaque at Lisle;
· Family History;
· establishing a timeline for the district;
· documenting cemeteries and plaques;
· visiting churches and other areas of interest;
· assisting Lilydale District School with local history;
· engaging the community via holding annual History Gatherings;
· digitising and storing photos and records; sharing via our Facebook page.
A few useful links:
Heritage Lilydale Facebook group - 1200 members on 5 July 2022
TROVE Lilydale Tasmanian History list (2280 items) and Lilydale TAS History (231 items)
LISTMap - instructions how to see old Tasmanian Lands Department maps with historical properties, acreage, owners in FILES at our Facebook group page .
Tasmanian Names Index - convict records, title deeds, Wills, official records
GoogleMap of historical places of Lilydale district
FamilySearch the largest international genealogy database, free to join.
Update by Janet Sims and Phil Mahnken 5 July 2022.
Current executive.
- Chairperson: Janet Sims
- Secretary: Phillip Cornwell
- Treasurer: Kathy Hawes
- Vice Chairperson: Nigel Burch
Contact email: heritagelilydale@gmail.com
PO Box 199, Lilydale, TAS, 7268
HL members meet every second Thursday and go on occasional excursions according to member suggestions. The last was the Lalla Church (soon to be wine tasting centre) and old Lalla Post Office (see a post and photos on the Facebook group page). Forthcoming excursions will continue and are likely to include visits to Bellingham, Lefroy, and a look at the Bakers oven in Station Road.
Heritage Lilydale members met on the 23rd of June 2022 in the Community Learning and Online Centre at the Area School. In that room, as part of the Lilydale District School Fair on 9 September 2022, we will set up displays and be available to help family or local history researchers.
It was decided to hold another * History Gathering * on Sunday 19 March 2022. This may still be dependent on the state of corona virus and vaccine program at that time. Our format will follow that of the first two successful Gatherings in 2018 and 2019.
Morning 9 am to 1.00 pm : - Lilydale family displays, research help and workshops, general back-to-Lilydale get together, yarn and cuppa. Gold coin donation, please; coffee, tea and bickies available.
Afternoon: 1.00 pm to 3.30 presentations by speakers - to be finalised by year's end.
Please consider becoming a HL member for $20 a year and have access to our expertise, help, network, online and print resources, excursions and Gatherings.
PROJECTS include:
· investigating the old buildings of Lilydale;
· commemorating areas of interest including the installation of a plaque at Lisle;
· Family History;
· establishing a timeline for the district;
· documenting cemeteries and plaques;
· visiting churches and other areas of interest;
· assisting Lilydale District School with local history;
· engaging the community via holding annual History Gatherings;
· digitising and storing photos and records; sharing via our Facebook page.
A few useful links:
Heritage Lilydale Facebook group - 1200 members on 5 July 2022
TROVE Lilydale Tasmanian History list (2280 items) and Lilydale TAS History (231 items)
LISTMap - instructions how to see old Tasmanian Lands Department maps with historical properties, acreage, owners in FILES at our Facebook group page .
Tasmanian Names Index - convict records, title deeds, Wills, official records
GoogleMap of historical places of Lilydale district
FamilySearch the largest international genealogy database, free to join.
Update by Janet Sims and Phil Mahnken 5 July 2022.
HL UPDATE 31 Jan 2021
Heritage Lilydale members met at the new Community Learning and Online Centre at the Area School on the 21st of January 2021. Our guest Julie Mahnken presented some research on the first Mahnken to come to Australia in 1857 and also showed us a copy of the memoir of the late Lorna Brown nee Mahnken (1922-2017).
Meeting agenda items were :
Lilydale Falls Reserve Update – Anne Youl - seeking written advice from Council
AGM – Date for meeting set at Thursday 4 Feb 2021 starting 9.30 am
Activities/Visits for 2021
We meet every second Thursday and go on excursions according to member suggestions.
Please consider becoming a member for $20 a year and have access to our expertise, help, network and resources on request.
We hope to hold the History Gathering again this year in November if the corona virus abates and the vaccine program is successful. We watch and wait and stay safe.
A few useful links:
Heritage Lilydale Facebook group - 928 members today
TROVE and Lilydale Tasmanian History list on Trove
LISTMap - instructions in FILES at our Facebook group page.
Tasmanian Names Index - convict records, title deeds, Wills, official records
GoogleMap of historical places of Lilydale district
FamilySearch international genealogy database
Just for interest
After a 20 year courtship by bicycle (which put him in hospital one unlucky day in 1927), Ernie Erb, farmer, dog breeder and trainer, won and married Ida Arnold, daughter of George and Amelia of "Summerhill" on his lucky day on 16 April 1934. On an unlucky day in 1948, Ernie never came home from checking his rabbit traps and died on the hill at Doaks Road. He was found by Hilton Miller of Glen Doone with whose family I have been in contact recently. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152197074 Theo and Pauline Ebbelaar lived there for all their married life until recently, and now the next generation have taken over. To whom I owe thanks for showing me this book which Theo obviously kept in a shed all these years. Ernie was awarded this book prize in 1893 at Lilydale Presbyterian Sunday School. So many stories and artifacts in Lilydale district. Have you got anything you'd like to tell us about, and/or let us make an image of a keepsake? Email heritagelilydale@gmail.com
Heritage Lilydale members met at the new Community Learning and Online Centre at the Area School on the 21st of January 2021. Our guest Julie Mahnken presented some research on the first Mahnken to come to Australia in 1857 and also showed us a copy of the memoir of the late Lorna Brown nee Mahnken (1922-2017).
Meeting agenda items were :
Lilydale Falls Reserve Update – Anne Youl - seeking written advice from Council
AGM – Date for meeting set at Thursday 4 Feb 2021 starting 9.30 am
Activities/Visits for 2021
We meet every second Thursday and go on excursions according to member suggestions.
Please consider becoming a member for $20 a year and have access to our expertise, help, network and resources on request.
We hope to hold the History Gathering again this year in November if the corona virus abates and the vaccine program is successful. We watch and wait and stay safe.
A few useful links:
Heritage Lilydale Facebook group - 928 members today
TROVE and Lilydale Tasmanian History list on Trove
LISTMap - instructions in FILES at our Facebook group page.
Tasmanian Names Index - convict records, title deeds, Wills, official records
GoogleMap of historical places of Lilydale district
FamilySearch international genealogy database
Just for interest
After a 20 year courtship by bicycle (which put him in hospital one unlucky day in 1927), Ernie Erb, farmer, dog breeder and trainer, won and married Ida Arnold, daughter of George and Amelia of "Summerhill" on his lucky day on 16 April 1934. On an unlucky day in 1948, Ernie never came home from checking his rabbit traps and died on the hill at Doaks Road. He was found by Hilton Miller of Glen Doone with whose family I have been in contact recently. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152197074 Theo and Pauline Ebbelaar lived there for all their married life until recently, and now the next generation have taken over. To whom I owe thanks for showing me this book which Theo obviously kept in a shed all these years. Ernie was awarded this book prize in 1893 at Lilydale Presbyterian Sunday School. So many stories and artifacts in Lilydale district. Have you got anything you'd like to tell us about, and/or let us make an image of a keepsake? Email heritagelilydale@gmail.com
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UPDATE 3 SEPT 2020
The Heritage Lilydale members are meeting again at the new Community Learning and Online Centre now housed in the former Infant School building (where once, I believe, stood the Police Pound. Perhaps that's appropriate.) You are most welcome to join us when we meet every second Thursday.
Today, for instance, we viewed on overhead screen a collection of Lilydale township photos "and they argued a lot about who who knew what and what it was not." Seriously, wonderful photos collated by Graeme and Fran Williams.
We also looked at pictures taken by Phil Mahnken during a recent "behind the scenes at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery [QVMAG] tour" with curator Jon Addison and the Professional Historians Association (www.phavic.org.au/) whose members present included Dr Marian Walker, great granddaughter of Frank Walker, horticulturalist, florist, orchardist of Lalla and Launceston. Marian offered to give a presentation about the Walkers of Lalla at our next Gathering.
It's exciting to see all the wonderful things that have been preserved at QVMAG, such as an old charcoal gas producer from WW2, a horse drawn jinker and baker's cart, a trolley bus, a Launceston Council steam roller, a massive steam-driven traction engine, a glass plate camera, and so much more. Document and graphic archives to choke on. A perennial lament, it's sad to realize how underfunded and understaffed they are and how long things must wait to be properly prepared and displayed like the beautiful things already out there for the public. We'll all be fossils by the time a fraction of it is done. But it's there. It's saved.
And a third treat in one day, Fran Williams has been lent the amazing Kerkham family album. If only we all did such a sterling job of conserving and labelling our families' visual heritage. Fran is busily scanning and no doubt will post some samples with permission on the Heritage Lilydale Facebook group page which is really in top gear at present. Have a look. Feel free to put your history questions to the members and knowledgeable lurkers. Or to share stories and resources.
We decided in March, regretfully, to forego the third annual History Gathering for 2020, which is probably still a responsible precaution despite Tasmania's negligible corona virus count. But perhaps we can do something special on this website and on Facebook to mark the occasion in November.
2020 A Year that will go down in History [March 2020]
The Heritage Lilydale AGM was held on the 6 February 2020. Janet Sims was elected as Chair for the year to come. Other office holders remain as before. Phil Mahnken will continue his blog and coordination of the History Gathering in Nov 2020 (covid-19 permitting).
On 20 February 2020, thanks to years of work by author Nigel Burch, we held the dedication of the Lisle Monument in the forest where once stood the heart of Lisle township and goldfields. The Examiner reports that "Bass MHA Sarah Courtney organised permission to build the memorial, Heritage Lilydale secretary Phil Cornwell organised the plaque and Adrian Holmes, who could be Lisle's last gold miner, organised the boulders and stones which mark the town centre." Read more at Lisle memorial, remembering Tasmania's forgotten mining town by journalist Jackson Worthington.
Because of the corona virus, Heritage Lilydale fortnightly workshops and excursions are suspended until the health authorities and school community centre advise otherwise. Our Heritage Lilydale Facebook group page continues to be a vibrant forum of history exchange. You are welcome to participate there but especially welcome to become a member for a mere $20 a year and access our resources and expertise, join our workshops and excursions.
READ BELOW FOR PAST ACTIVITIES
The Heritage Lilydale members are meeting again at the new Community Learning and Online Centre now housed in the former Infant School building (where once, I believe, stood the Police Pound. Perhaps that's appropriate.) You are most welcome to join us when we meet every second Thursday.
Today, for instance, we viewed on overhead screen a collection of Lilydale township photos "and they argued a lot about who who knew what and what it was not." Seriously, wonderful photos collated by Graeme and Fran Williams.
We also looked at pictures taken by Phil Mahnken during a recent "behind the scenes at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery [QVMAG] tour" with curator Jon Addison and the Professional Historians Association (www.phavic.org.au/) whose members present included Dr Marian Walker, great granddaughter of Frank Walker, horticulturalist, florist, orchardist of Lalla and Launceston. Marian offered to give a presentation about the Walkers of Lalla at our next Gathering.
It's exciting to see all the wonderful things that have been preserved at QVMAG, such as an old charcoal gas producer from WW2, a horse drawn jinker and baker's cart, a trolley bus, a Launceston Council steam roller, a massive steam-driven traction engine, a glass plate camera, and so much more. Document and graphic archives to choke on. A perennial lament, it's sad to realize how underfunded and understaffed they are and how long things must wait to be properly prepared and displayed like the beautiful things already out there for the public. We'll all be fossils by the time a fraction of it is done. But it's there. It's saved.
And a third treat in one day, Fran Williams has been lent the amazing Kerkham family album. If only we all did such a sterling job of conserving and labelling our families' visual heritage. Fran is busily scanning and no doubt will post some samples with permission on the Heritage Lilydale Facebook group page which is really in top gear at present. Have a look. Feel free to put your history questions to the members and knowledgeable lurkers. Or to share stories and resources.
We decided in March, regretfully, to forego the third annual History Gathering for 2020, which is probably still a responsible precaution despite Tasmania's negligible corona virus count. But perhaps we can do something special on this website and on Facebook to mark the occasion in November.
2020 A Year that will go down in History [March 2020]
The Heritage Lilydale AGM was held on the 6 February 2020. Janet Sims was elected as Chair for the year to come. Other office holders remain as before. Phil Mahnken will continue his blog and coordination of the History Gathering in Nov 2020 (covid-19 permitting).
On 20 February 2020, thanks to years of work by author Nigel Burch, we held the dedication of the Lisle Monument in the forest where once stood the heart of Lisle township and goldfields. The Examiner reports that "Bass MHA Sarah Courtney organised permission to build the memorial, Heritage Lilydale secretary Phil Cornwell organised the plaque and Adrian Holmes, who could be Lisle's last gold miner, organised the boulders and stones which mark the town centre." Read more at Lisle memorial, remembering Tasmania's forgotten mining town by journalist Jackson Worthington.
Because of the corona virus, Heritage Lilydale fortnightly workshops and excursions are suspended until the health authorities and school community centre advise otherwise. Our Heritage Lilydale Facebook group page continues to be a vibrant forum of history exchange. You are welcome to participate there but especially welcome to become a member for a mere $20 a year and access our resources and expertise, join our workshops and excursions.
READ BELOW FOR PAST ACTIVITIES

The Heritage Lilydale AGM will be held on the 6 February 2020 at 10:00 in the Lilydale Online Access Centre (Lilydale School).
Please find attached (or request via email heritagelilydale@gmail.com) the following documents
Minutes of 2019 AGM
Agenda for this year’s AGM
Nomination form (for position of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer).
Proxy voting form
Consider if you are interested in nominating for any of the position listed.
An ordinary general meeting will follow the AGM.
Regards
Phillip Cornwell
Secretary
We thank the 200 people who attended our annual History Gathering on 17 Nov 2019. What a wonderful turnout to hear our five afternoon speakers and to enjoy catching up with old friends, family and history researchers. Thank you also to the dozen people who contributed family history displays which won much interest and praise during the morning. Cousins made acquaintance who had never met before. Our photo archive received some wonderful donations.
Phil Mahnken, Chairman. 2 Feb 2020
Please find attached (or request via email heritagelilydale@gmail.com) the following documents
Minutes of 2019 AGM
Agenda for this year’s AGM
Nomination form (for position of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer).
Proxy voting form
Consider if you are interested in nominating for any of the position listed.
An ordinary general meeting will follow the AGM.
Regards
Phillip Cornwell
Secretary
We thank the 200 people who attended our annual History Gathering on 17 Nov 2019. What a wonderful turnout to hear our five afternoon speakers and to enjoy catching up with old friends, family and history researchers. Thank you also to the dozen people who contributed family history displays which won much interest and praise during the morning. Cousins made acquaintance who had never met before. Our photo archive received some wonderful donations.
Phil Mahnken, Chairman. 2 Feb 2020

PAST ACTIVITIES
Excursion Thursday 4 April 2019. Meet at the school at 9.00 am or come directly to Karoola Catholic cemetery at 9.45 am to meet local informant Billie Parry. We will go to the Wesleyan cemetery on Rowley's Hill Road after that. Read the Examiner 2018 coverage of Karoola Sacred Heart Catholic church celebrates 120 years of service and Duncan Grant's article on The old Wesleyan chapel at Turner’s Marsh.
Lilydale Arts and Heritage Inc AGM (brief formal meeting of "the mothership") will be held at 10.00 am Thurs 21 March 2019 at the Community Learning/Online Access Centre at the school. It will be followed by a normal Heritage Lilydale meeting to discuss the second History Gathering in November, future excursions program, 1939-45 Project and any other matters. A good time for new members to join up and contribute your ideas, tell us about your history and heritage interests.
Excursion Thursday 4 April 2019. Meet at the school at 9.00 am or come directly to Karoola Catholic cemetery at 9.45 am to meet local informant Billie Parry. We will go to the Wesleyan cemetery on Rowley's Hill Road after that. Read the Examiner 2018 coverage of Karoola Sacred Heart Catholic church celebrates 120 years of service and Duncan Grant's article on The old Wesleyan chapel at Turner’s Marsh.
Lilydale Arts and Heritage Inc AGM (brief formal meeting of "the mothership") will be held at 10.00 am Thurs 21 March 2019 at the Community Learning/Online Access Centre at the school. It will be followed by a normal Heritage Lilydale meeting to discuss the second History Gathering in November, future excursions program, 1939-45 Project and any other matters. A good time for new members to join up and contribute your ideas, tell us about your history and heritage interests.
Next working session: |
To be advised post Covid19
Thursday ?? 2020, 9 am - 12.30 pm Lilydale Online Access Centre. |
Next meeting: |
To be advised
Lilydale Online Access Centre. |
Heritage Lilydale Facebook - its all happening here!
Office-bearers for 2020
Heritage Lilydale has had its 2020 annual general meeting.
Congratulations and thank you to our new office-bearers.
Chair - Janet Sims
Vice Chair - Nigel Burch
Secretary - Phillip Cornwell
Treasurer - Anne Youl
Congratulations and thank you to our new office-bearers.
Chair - Janet Sims
Vice Chair - Nigel Burch
Secretary - Phillip Cornwell
Treasurer - Anne Youl
2019 Membership
Membership renewal - due on 1 January 2020
Cenotaph update
The Cenotaph has been a huge project. The grand opening took place on Sunday 22 April 2018.
Two people have given vast amounts of time to making it happen:
Two people have given vast amounts of time to making it happen:
- Leon Lange, who designed and is an integral part of every step of the project, giving his time and creativity for the benefit of the people of the Lilydale region. The Cenotaph design, gifted to Lilydale RSL by award-winning landscape designer Leon Lange, is a brilliant interpretation of the extraordinary story that the Lilydale District has to tell.
- Anne Youl on behalf of the Lilydale RSL, who has guided and driven the project despite all the obstacles that have made it so complex.