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Home > What's news on the travel scene in Australia > Archive 4

Richard Taubman talks about his mentor Syd Bayliss and the story behind Taubman and Webb leather and whip making.

 

In September 1973 I met an old bushman from Tumut NSW who had been invited down to the local village, Murringo, to show the local school kids about plaiting and leather work. I was 13 years old. The bushman and WWI vet was Syd Bayliss.  Little did I know that first meeting with this iconic Australian Bushman was to set the rest of my life on course to tell his story, learn and keep his trade(s) alive, and ultimately have his exploits, trade and skills recorded and exhibited in as many places as I possibly could. I am still doing this relentlessly today 40 years later. This email is testimony to that.

 

With my best mate Craig Webb, with whom I was at school with at the time, we started learning to plait together and then progressed in to forming a business partnership "Taubman & Webb", a leather and whip making business which we ran for many years together continuing what we had, and were learning from Syd. Even though after many years together we divided the business and went our own ways we both still promote Syd at any opportunity.

 

Over the years Craig has travelled extensively throughout the country with a country band as well as general travel and I know he is still promoting Syd's story and memory today. I have helped in having a song recorded about him, written a song about him, a portrait painted of him by Howard Barron F.I.A.L, I had him inducted into the Stockman's Hall of Fame in QLD in the unsung hero's section along with a name plaited whip "Syd Bayliss" which is on display there, and I have written a book about him, "One Of The Last" which is still selling well and is in 7th edition.

 

Everywhere I go and everyone to whom I speak to about leather work etc, I promote and keep Syd's memory and stories alive. I do this out of sheer gratitude for what this bushman has done for me and my family --- and is still doing for us even though he passed on over 30 years ago and also for the fact that this man is part of Australia's heritage and these people must never be forgotten.

 

One day in conversation with my wife, Leah, several years ago, I casually remarked I wouldn't mind having a leather shop like Syd's, the well known "Valley Of The Whites Trading Post" in Russell St Tumut NSW.

 

While I was in the NT on a hawking trip selling leather gear on cattle stations Leah purchased the little old run down "Hancock's Store" building in the middle of Murringo. It is over 150 years old, listed as Heritage Significant with local council and she embarked on a personal and massive project of bringing this building back to life as it would have been in its early days with the sole idea of making it into a Leather Store/Museum/Tribute Centre to Syd and my work in trying to keep his story alive. She has painstakingly restored this building and the project is still going on and will be for some years to come.

 

The big day has come for the next huge step to be taken and that is to dedicate/open the store for public to see and be part of the story.  Although the displays and the final picture Leah has in mind is still a long way off we look forward to having the doors open on this dream and see the "Taubman & Webb Trading Post" pull into gear.

 

This is a culmination of 40 years of trying to follow in Syd's footsteps and now seeing it finally come together in this project.

 

We hope to see many people at the dedication on the 20th October 2013.

 

No matter where we have travelled throughout the country we regularly meet people who knew and admired Syd Bayliss.

 

This project will ensure that his memory is recorded and preserved for generations to come thanks to Leah's dedication and unselfish foresight.

 

Joy McKean, and her late husband Slim Dusty have always taken a great interest in Syd's story and Joy has kindly agreed to be with us on the day to do the honours of dedicating the Taubman & Webb Trading Post.

 

            Richard Taubman

 

Murringo is 24 kilometres east of Young.

 

For those who would like to learn more about Syd Bayliss and his connection with Richard Taubman these two links will be of interest.  Syd Bayliss and A whipmaker’s odyssey (four pages).

Click here to view the Invitation

Whip maker and author Richard Taubman invites you to Murringo near Young NSW for

 

The Dedication of the "Taubman & Webb Trading Post" Murringo Sunday 20th October 2013. 

 

Update: For those who were interested in this Australiana story but unable to attend, someone who was alerted to this event by one of my posts has written a report of the event - worth reading at We Can't Let Our Old Bushmen Die.

 

21 October 2013

 

 

Like to take your family to Kangaroo Island?  Offer expired
 
Until 13 December 2013 up to three children aged 3 to 14 travel free when travelling with two full fare paying adults and a vehicle.  Kids go free on Sealink 
1 September 2013

Public dump point opened in Margaret River

Good news for independent caravanners and motorhomers with the opening of another public dump point in the south west of Western Australia, in the popular tourism town of Margaret River. 

 

The newly installed dump point is situated off the Gloucester Park access road behind the Margaret River Youth ‘Zone Room’ opposite Farrelly Street. A sign has been erected on Wallcliffe Road.

 

The Dump Point is locked under a log book arrangement, and a key is held with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River reception Civic Administration Centre (approximate 150 metres away if walking), and the Margaret River Recreation Centre front desk (approximate 300 metres if walking).

 

Currently there is no deposit required, but users will need to return the key, and sign the logbook.

 

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River front office hours

Monday – Friday           9 am – 4 pm

 

Margaret River Recreation Centre opening hours

Monday – Thursday       6 am – 8.30 pm

Friday                          6 am – 7 pm

Saturday                      7.30 am – 3 pm

Sunday                        9 am – 3 pm

Closed Public Holidays

 

The dump point is unavailable outside these times.

16 October 2013

 

Water flows in Kakadu

 

Seaonal closures are taking place with rising water levels through the park.

 

Areas closed for the season during November include Old Jim Jim Road, Red Lily Billabong, Alligator Billabong, Jim Jim Falls, Garnamarr camp ground, Twin Falls, Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge), Barrk Marlam Bushwalk, Budjmi Lookout Walk, Gunlom, Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), Guratba/Gimbat Day Use Area, Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs), Mardugal Campground (caravan section), Yellow Waters road, boardwalk and boatramp, and Maguk.

 

Cahill's Crossing is currently closed due to high water levels.

 

Please note from 1 December 2013 to 31 March 2014 Ubirr Art Site is only open to the public between 2 pm and sunset.  Tourism operators may have permits for daytime visits. 

 

Check for the latest road closures here

13 December 2013

 

While there has been negative publicity that the traditional free campgrounds along the Bay of Fires to the north of St Helens on the north east coast are to have camping fees, the fees, if implemented, will not commence until at least July 2015. National Parks camping fees in Tasmania are usually low and worth paying for some lovely environments, and it doesn’t come much better than camping right by the beach along the beautiful Bay of Fires. 

 

Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services Tourism Management told me

 

           The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman, said in September 2014 that campsites which are currently free at the Bay of Fires and across the northeast would remain free for Tasmanians and tourists alike until at least July 2015.

 

           The Tasmanian Government has invested close to a million dollars on upgrading toilets and other facilities at campsites both at the Bay of Fires and in the north-east.

 

           Camping fees are an important way to help maintain the quality and consistency of camping sites, so visitors to parks and reserves know what to expect at a paid, as compared to a free site. The camping fees are directed back to the site where collected.

 

          It is likely that fees will be introduced in the longer-term, in consultation with users of the area and other stakeholders.

21 October 2013

 

 

The quest to find Syd Bayliss’s lost Wagon.
 
Following having the pleasure of publicising the opening of the Taubman and Webb Trading Post, someone attending the event not only wrote an excellent report about this opening day, but has been asked by Richard and Leah to try and trace Syd Bayliss’s original wagon. 
 
The Landy wrote:
 
Recently I attended the opening of Hancock’s Store at Murringo in the Central West of New South Wales, and you can read a little more about in my blog titled We Can't Let Our Old Bushmen Die (Hancock's Store).
 
The 150 year old Hancock’s Store has been magnificently restored by Richard Taubman and his partner Leah Coggan and, in part, the store is a tribute to a fine Australian Bushman, Syd Bayliss.
 
Over the weekend I received a note from Leah asking for assistance in locating the whereabouts of Syd’s Wagonette. Apparently, when Syd returned from Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory he traded it for a larger one in the Riverina District and Leah and Richard are hoping it may still be in someone’s shed.
 
On the side of it was inscribed “Syd Bayliss Julia Creek Queensland”.
 
This trade probably took place in the 1930s. 
 
It may be a long-shot, but if anyone has seen or heard of it, Richard and Leah would be grateful to hear from you.
 
Please contact me if you have any news of the wagon, past or present.  Together we may piece together the past movements of Syd’s old wagon. 

29 October 2013
Statement from Armidale Council on Dumaresq Dam
 

Burdekin Shire in Queensland has chosen to add Ayr Showground as an option for fully self contained campers. 

 

This decision took place following community consultation.  Following discussion with the Council, I advise that the approval process is in the early stages and final approval of the showground camping is some months away.

 

Does fully self contained motorhomes include  fully self contained caravans?

 

The key point is “self contained” – whether that be in the form of a motorhome or caravan.

 

Will there be a fee?

 

Yes there will be a fee, although it has not yet been established.

 

Are there any waste disposal points at the showground?

 

As mentioned above, the key point is “self contained” – whether that be in the form of a motorhome or caravan. Because it is self contained, no facilities need to be provided at the showgrounds.

 

Where is the nearest dump point for disposal of toilet waste and grey water?   

 

A facility is available at the Burdekin Cascades Caravan Park, Queen Street, Ayr for a fee. 

 

Who will manage the showground?

 

The Ayr Pastoral, Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association (commonly referred to as the Ayr Show Society) have been appointed to manage the showgrounds.

 

When will the showground become available for casual camping?

 

Council has adopted a draft Land Management Plan (LMP) for the Ayr Showgrounds which also requires the approval of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (because the land is owned by the State and the Council is the Trustee of the land). Of interest to you is the fact that the LMP allows for use of part of the land for the purposes of periodic short term parking for travellers with fully self contained motorhomes subject to conditions. One of these conditions is that the activity needs to be approved under the Council’s Planning Scheme. An application needs to be submitted and approved by Council. The planning process also allows appeal rights.

 

No planning application has yet been made or approved so therefore the activity of periodic short term parking for travellers with fully self contained motorhomes is not yet formerly approved.

 

It is anticipated that the planning process may occur within the next few months.

 

23 November 2013

 

Thank you for your emails concerning Councils decision to retain the Dumaresq Dam area for day visitors only.
 
It appears that many people are unaware that Dumaresq Dam was never actually dedicated as a free camping area. It just became that through popularity, word of mouth and the internet.
 
Further, Council has no legal right to operate a camping ground at Dumaresq Dam as the current Local Environmental Plan (LEP) excludes that activity from that zoning. The LEP is a legal instrument signed off by the State Government that specifies the types of development activities that may be undertaken on specific zonings of land.  
 
In an effort to strike a balance, other options such as the eco-tourism facility (which is permitted under the LEP) were considered as camping was permitted as an ancillary activity but is not to be the focus.
 
Any such approvals to operate an eco-tourist facility would come with compliance conditions such as adequate toilet facilities, limited number of spaces, time limits and fire protection. In addition, details of those persons utilising accommodation facilities (whether a camp site or cabin) must be recorded.  The cost of compliance for such an approval is not yet known but would surely result in a high cost per stay to recoup capital expenditure.  From many of your letters it would appear that this type of facility would not suit your needs or lifestyle.
 
Given Councils focus on renewing existing infrastructure and the lack of finances to meet that need, it is unlikely that there would be a willingness to increase that liability with even more infrastructure.
 
Having said that, Council has not ruled out the possibility of such a facility in the future but it is doubtful that it will be within the next few years due to the current financial situation.
 
Seeupdate

24 February 2014
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