By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc. In 1912, word reached Penrith that Rowland Cochrane had been cut to pieces in the Glenbrook railway tunnel. He was born in 1887, the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John & Betsy Ann Cochrane (Margarson) of Doonmore Street who were […]

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc. THE Morehead family like many other families coming from overseas were determined to keep the name “Arthur” within the family tree. Arthur James Morehead, born in Ireland in 1810 came to Australia with his family on the “Thomas & Henry” as […]

Penrith settlement began in the Castlereagh area along the Nepean River, but the Hawkesbury area was already settled.  In September 1808, Hugh Dowling was on trial before A Bell, Esquire for armed burglary at the Hawksbury, stealing cash and clothing from the dwelling house of William Styles. Hugh was brought before the court on a […]

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc. IN November 1945 questions came up on how the Blue Mountain’s train called “The Fish” came by the name. Jim Hartigan of Penrith who was a relief stationmaster in the Penrith district felt that with the train’s contemporary named “The Chips” […]