Museums and Cultural Centres

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, members of the former Oatlands National Trust Group collected heritage machinery. All the items had been used in the district and then donated by families. The machinery was displayed at the Oatlands Agricultural Museum before it closed. So that the machinery could continue to be protected and displayed a permanent structure was constructed at Callington Park in 2001.

Some equipment came into use through necessity when resources were scarce. Gas producers, for example, were used during wartime fuel shortages to convert wood charcoal to gas to power trucks, cars and sometimes tractors.

Other items represent earlier versions of equivalent machines in today's agriculture. There are ploughs, harrows and scarifiers of various kinds for preparing the ground for sowing along with a seed drill. Various machines for harvesting hay such as mowers, a sweep, a rake, threshing machines and bailers can be seen.

107 High Street, Oatlands Tas 7120
Phone 03 6254 0021

Open Hours:

Monday 10:30am - 4.00pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 4.00pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4.00pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4.00pm
Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4.00pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4.00pm

Cost:
$3.00 per adult
$1.00 per child
$6.00 for families

Membership:

$20.00 per annum

Contact Us:

Mrs Stephanie Burbury Phone 0411 566 080 or 0428 888 378
Email bowsden@hotmail.com

About Us:

The Oatlands District Historical Society Inc., is a not for profit organisation, established in 1996, to identify, showcase, preserve and promote the districts rich and significant historical heritage.

Services Offered:

We not only provide tourism information of the Southern Midlands area, offering assistance with accommodation and places to eat, but our volunteers can also assist (for a moderate fee) with family history research.  We have a huge collection of photographs, files on most families who have resided in the district, cemetery information, and historical information about districts, farms and buildings.  Browse our newspaper collection, and our library of books relating to the area.

Our museum is not to be missed and has received many favourable comments over the years.  Our memorabilia covers the period from early convict days to the present.

We also have a good collection of books and post cards of the area for sale.

Main Road, Colebrook Tas 7027

Open Hours

Normally open weekends from 10.00am - 5.00pm or by request phone 03 6259 7161

Wheelchair access. Free electric barbeque facilities available.

Cost:
Adults $2.00

2278 Woodsdale Road, Woodsdale Tas 7120
Phone 03 6254 6171
Phone (AH) 03 6254 6165 or 03 6254 6027
Web: www.thewoodsdalemuseum.com

The Museum is located in Woodsdale near Orford on Tasmania's east coast.
Why not call in for a cuppa?

Open hours:

Sunday 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. or by appointment.

Cost:
$5 per adult children free

Facilities:
Free tea/coffee. Souvenir shop, wheelchair access, washroom.

Four years before the settlement of Oatlands began, the first recorded religious service was held at Jericho, on the 23 February 1823. It was conducted by the Reverend Samuel Marsden from N.S.W. in the home of Mr. Thomas Gregson, “Northumbria”, Jericho.

The movement for the erection of a church at Jericho began in 1827. Up until this time, the district was being supplied by William Pike, a catechist, who lived at “Park Farm”, Jericho. However it wasn’t until 1838 that a church was built and it was consecrated by Bishop William Grant Broughton on Tuesday 10 May 1838.

Fifty years later, cracks appeared in the building, and it was decided to erect another building on the same site. On the 29th April 1888 the new church, St James’ Church, Jericho was consecrated by Bishop Sandford.

As a dominant township element, St. James’ is of great significance to Jericho. Architectural fittings and furnishings bear dedications to prominent early members of the district, including Thomas Gregson who was Premier of Tasmania in 1857, and who’s property “Northumbria” borders the church. St. James’ is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register for its community values and its ability to represent a modest sandstone Victorian Gothic Church. The building was designed by the well know architect, Henry Hunter, who was responsible for many fine building around Tasmania. Walter Fish was responsible for the stonework and the woodwork was carried out by Charles Ellen, both of Oatlands.

The stained-glass windows were added over time and are some of the best examples of Australia’s glass artists, including John Lamb Lyons (Sydney), George Dancey, William Kerr-Morgan, Brooks Robinson (renowned for the strength of his workmanship) and perhaps the most important window which was the last window that William Montgomery crafted. The beautiful window at the rear of the church, “Crucifixion” was executed by Augustus Fischer of Melbourne. His windows are rare and his work was renowned for his treatment of flowers.

The wall treatment and stenciling are rare and beautiful.

It is also thought that St. James Church was the first church in the southern hemisphere to have conducted an Ecumenical Service.

Outside the churchyard (on both sides of the Church) includes an Avenue of Honour, a row of pine trees dedicated to local men (and one woman) who served in W.W.1.

The Bisdees, a prominent pastoral family of the district took an active part in the welfare of the church and it’s people. John Hutton Bisdee was the first Australian-born Victoria Cross recipient, and is buried in the cemetery. Bisdee was awarded the V.C. in 1900 for bravery in the Transvaal War, following which he returned to Tasmania to the family farm, and later served in W.W.1. He passed away on his property in 1930. The two Bisdee family plots are a dominant feature of the cemetery when approaching the doors of St. James’.

For the botanist, the cemetery is one of only two sites in Tasmania where the rare plant Leptorhynchos Elongatus or Lanky Buttons can be found. This bright yellow daisy was recorded by the botanist J. D. Hooker in the 19th century as “not uncommon”.