"Woonoona"

In 1946 Mr Mervyn Hugh ALCHIN married Miss Joan Gloria BELL in Temora, NSW - (Ref NSW BDM 7422/1946). Merve & Joan Alchin, took up the lease and relocated from the Temora area to West Blowering in about 1956. They brought with them a family of boys.

Merv Hugh & Joan Gloria Alchin of Tumut

Knowing nothing about millet growing they took on the farming of rich river flats. With much assistance from locals and in particular norther neighbour Mr Wom Odddy became extremely knowledgable in the growing and harvesting of many tons of millet for the manufacture of brooms and seed.

Records show that on the 21st March, 1952, approximately 15 acres was resumed by the Water Commission & Irrigation Commission (W.C. & I.C.) for the establishment of offices, stores, workshop and housing in readiness for the dams construction.

In about 1964 Mr Tom Thompson, the Blowering Administration Officer of the S.M.A. Blowering Camp form a cricket team of Blowering S.M.A. employees and entered the team in the local Tumut District Cricket Competition. A practice concrete wicket was layed behind the Blowering Camp site and a playing pitch was established in a paddock behind Merve and Joan Alchin's house.(I don't think that the record books will show the team as being a threat to the competition leaders!!!!) The practice pitch is still there today, I do not know about the other one.

Lease and property resumed by the NSW State Government - 1966

This report is submitted in good faith. All endeavours have been made to make all entries authentic and correct. For any corrections and additional valuable information, maps and photos you may have please contact John

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