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Family and Local History

The Centre is committed to increasing public access by putting more and more of our material on-line.

Part of the former Ginninderra Farmers Union hall crossing Halls Creek on its way to the Hall showground, 1930, where it was used as a show pavilion. It is on a jinker towed by Tom Gribble's traction engine. Find out more about the Gribble family and the Farmers Union at 'Rediscovering Ginninderra'
Part of the former Ginninderra Farmers Union hall crossing Halls Creek on its way to the Hall showground, 1930, where it was used as a show pavilion. It is on a jinker towed by Tom Gribble's traction engine. Find out more about the Gribble family and the Farmers Union at 'Rediscovering Ginninderra'

Our Family and Local History Program is run by a small number of volunteers with an interest in local history, who may be able to assist you to research your local or family history. Visit our Library, or email our volunteers with your queries, and we will help where we can.

Our geographic focus is broadly with the catchment of Ginninderra Creek, which aligns with Lyall Gillespie's observation: "the Ginninderra district spread from the Murrumbidgee River on its western fringe eastwards beyond Mulligans Flat and from Upper Canberra on its southern boundary northwards to Bedellick on the Yass Road, encompassing the Parishes of Bedulluck, Canberra, Goorooyaroo and Weetangera" (Gillespie, 1992, p.xxi).

Explore the history of Ginninderra and Hall through our searchable databases of a selection of local Bush Schools and prominent Places and People, illustrated by more than 400 photographs.

Our work relies heavily on the foundations built by Lyall Gillespie, and particularly his 1992 book 'Ginninderra. Forerunner to Canberra'. Our Centre is now privileged to be custodian of his research collection.

This is a work-in-progress. Entries for some People and Places have not yet been posted, and existing entries can be expanded.

Your contributions would be welcomed - corrections, additions to existing items, or suggestions about additional People or Places. Our warm thanks to those who have already contributed.