The 2022 Muster was held to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the joining of the Overland Telegraph Lines, and a lot of Mates attended the commemoration celebration at the Sir Charles Todd Monument on the Stuart Highway on August 22nd.
After the commemoration here, a gate for a new walking track was officially opened. This track provides access to one of the last original telegraph lines that is still standing which is located at the Frew Ponds Historical Reserve, accessed via Sturt Plains and Hayfield Station land.
Attendees strolled down this newly completed access path, (or for some transported by airconditioned bus) to where songs were song, speeches were made (one by Krafty, our founder), tea was drunk and biscuits were eaten.
After those two events, the Mates of the Murranji travelled down the track (this time in airconditioned motor cars) to Newcastle Waters Historic Township for the start of our 2022 Muster.
Here we met in Jones’ Store as Mate Peter Jones, who lived at the Store for most of his childhood, talked to us about his book Jones Store, and other interesting stories about Newcastle Waters Township.
After Ted Egan entertained us with a couple of songs, the Mates strolled up the road to the Junction Hotel. Here Krafty introduced the Foundation Mates that were in attendance, Stuart Ord, Director, Regions South, TourismNT, gave an update on the Newcastle Waters Visitor Experiences Master Plan, Anja Lorimer from TerritoryQ Magazine talked about her ongoing commitment to sharing these stories, and Ted sang us some more songs.
Whilst at Newcastle Waters Historic Township, Mates of the Murranji were kept hydrated by sponsor, Carlton United Breweries.
All in all, it was a great Muster, resulting in stronger connections between old and new Mates, and excitingly, a sense of momentum to revive and restore Newcastle Waters Historic Township.
Click here to see more photos from the events taken by Mate, Sonja Bertotto.
There are also some amazing photos of the two OTL events at Ian G Anderson Photography
