This tall pump organ was owned by William and Ann Tom; together they led the founding of the ‘Cornish Settlement’, later named Byng, near Orange. Like many Cornish migrants to the colony, the Toms were devoted Methodists and William became a lay preacher and community leader at the Cornish Settlement. Endearingly referred to as ‘Parson […]
Keyword: William Tom
Ophir’s Gold Heart
This enchanting heart-shaped gold nugget has little monetary value today but its unearthing at Ophir, near Orange, in April 1851 spurred gold fever far and wide. It became the first payable gold in Australia and commenced the nation’s historic gold rush era. The gold rush transformed many aspects of life in the Central West, and […]