John Thistleton
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Articles by John Thistleton
Exactly how significant is Goulburn’s grand designer, EC Manfred?
E C Manfred designed homes and homesteads throughout the region, including the 1888 ‘Bundong Homestead’ at Lake Bathurst. Featuring five bedrooms, four bathrooms and large bay windows, Bundong sold for more than $16 million in January. Photo: Inglis Rural Property. In a field of talented, high-profile architects one stands alone in history for creating the core of Goulburn’s stock of intact heritage.
With a heavy heart, Crookwell farewells much-loved visionary who united people with fresh art expression
Susie Recsei once made three firm resolutions: to paint every day, to talk with someone every day, and to walk every day. In Portugal she painted almost everyone in the village where she was staying. When she left six months later, they threw her a party. Photo: Anne Cleary collection. Visionary Crookwell artist Susie Recsei refused to let a threatening brain aneurysm distract her as she led a community project, Follow the Yarn: New Stories.
Seven boxes tied with ribbons resurrect memories of a quiet puppeteer
An invaluable teacher’s resource to entertain and educate small children can be found in these seven boxes. They contain puppets and scripts for The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Magic Apples, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream plus complementary instructions. Photo: Greg Angus. Before iPads and software programs entered education, an infants school teacher in Goulburn and her mother made puppets to draw children into drama and literacy.
Seven boxes tied with ribbons resurrect memories of a quiet puppeteer
An invaluable teacher’s resource to entertain and educate small children can be found in these seven boxes. They contain puppets and scripts for The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Magic Apples, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream plus complementary instructions. Photo: Greg Angus. Before iPads and software programs entered education, an infants school teacher in Goulburn and her mother made puppets to draw children into drama and literacy.
Seven boxes tied with ribbons resurrect memories of Goulburn’s quiet puppeteer
An invaluable teacher’s resource to entertain and educate small children can be found in these seven boxes. They contain puppets and scripts for The Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, Magic Apples, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream plus complementary instructions. Photo: Greg Angus. Before iPads and software programs entered education an infants schoolteacher in Goulburn and her mother made puppets to draw children into drama and literacy.
Helped by a police sergeant, Doreen triumphed in a male-dominated real estate sector
A trailblazer in Goulburn real estate, Doreen White left after about a decade and later became president of Tamworth Rotary Club, where she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. Photo: White family collection. Doreen White grappled with a double-edged sword when she became the first woman to sell homes and open her own real estate agency in Goulburn in the early 1980s. On the positive side she well understood how a woman assessed a potential home.
Lights, camera, action, Goulburn’s Lilac City Cinema is looking for a new owner
The sale of 1 Lilac Place includes a four-screen cinema complex in a 1400 square metre building and 26 car parking spaces. Expressions of interest close on 22 October. Photo: Ashham Agencies. Goulburn’s Lilac City Cinema has been listed for sale with hopes of $3 million, sparking strong and varied interest from potential buyers.
Helped by a police sergeant, Doreen triumphed in Goulburn’s male-dominated real estate sector
A trailblazer in Goulburn real estate, Doreen White left after about a decade and later became president of Tamworth Rotary Club, where she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. Photo: White family collection. Doreen White grappled with a double-edged sword when she became the first woman to sell homes and open her own real estate agency in Goulburn in the early 1980s. On the positive side she well understood how a woman assessed a potential home.
Helped by a police sergeant, Doreen triumphed in Goulburn’s male-dominated real estate sector
A trailblazer in Goulburn real estate, Doreen White left after about a decade and later became president of Tamworth Rotary Club, where she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. Photo: White family collection. Doreen White grappled with a double-edged sword when she became the first woman to sell homes and open her own real estate agency in Goulburn in the early 1980s. On the positive side she well understood how a woman assessed a potential home.
Eucalypt, wattles and Hakeas help turn Providence into birds' paradise - just add water
Goulburn’s proximity to Sydney and its rail connections helped Robert and Gail Favaloro choose to relocate to the city, where they discovered a welcoming community and a recently built, architect-designed home overlooking beautiful countryside. Photo: John Thistleton. Soon after Robert and Gail Favaloro bought a grazing property south of Goulburn with glorious panoramic views across the gently sloping countryside their long-time friend and former parish priest from Engadine visited them.
The ‘Appalachian hillbillies’ of Tiyces Lane east of Goulburn
Former Goulburn man Bob Tiyce who spent his working life in the dairy industry, with his granddaughter Kiari. Photo: Vicki Deane. They were the Australian version of Appalachian hillbillies says Bob Tiyce, reflecting on families including his own living between Goulburn and Marulan in the early 1960s. “We had no power out there; wood meant everything,” Bob said.
Hopes rise for a new destination for rail trail riders - Goulburn to the wind farms
Wind farms would make an attractive destination for Sydneysiders on their bikes, and create a destination for tourists setting off on a rail trail from Goulburn. Photo: David Carmichael. After building their new home near Woodhouselee north-west of Goulburn more than a decade ago, tree-changers Wendy and Ian Anderson now see a future filled with tourism opportunities.
Doug Rawlinson’s two decades of keeping house at Kentgrove for birds, bees and historic legacy
About to close the gate for the last time at Kentgrove, Doug Rawlinson near the conservation area which provides habitat and critical corridor for numerous native species. Photo: John Thistleton. As ownership of historic Kentgrove on Goulburn’s eastern fringe changes hands it continues drawing visitors who rekindle its famous past. A professional woman from outer Sydney’s south-west passionate about history has bought the 12-hectare property, having visited Kentgrove several times over a year.
The ‘Appalachian hillbillies’ of Tiyces Lane east of Goulburn
Former Goulburn man Bob Tiyce who spent his working life in the dairy industry, with his granddaughter Tahli. Photo: Vicki Deane. They were the Australian version of Appalachian hillbillies says Bob Tiyce, reflecting on families including his own living between Goulburn and Marulan in the early 1960s. “We had no power out there; wood meant everything,” Bob said.
Doug Rawlinson’s two decades of keeping house at Kentgrove for birds, bees and historic legacy
About to close the gate for the last time at Kentgrove, Doug Rawlinson near the conservation area which provides habitat and critical corridor for numerous native species. Photo: John Thistleton. As ownership of historic Kentgrove on Goulburn’s eastern fringe changes hands it continues drawing visitors who rekindle its famous past. A professional woman from outer Sydney’s south-west passionate about history has bought the 12-hectare property, having visited Kentgrove several times over a year.
Undaunted, young Goulburn speakers take on ageism, AI, and back in their books
Representing Goulburn primary schools in public speaking, (from left, back row) Bowen Godfrey, Lyla Tozer, Mackenzie Price, Jessica Storrier, Elsie McClelland, Fanette Leon. Front row: Amelia Gundry, Chelsea-Lee King, Carter Wykes, Zoe Sara, Hunter Harding, Harrison Fuller. Photo: James Webb. Benchmarked on their literacy and numeracy skills and heavily scrutinised because of their vulnerability to social media and artificial intelligence, primary school children live in daunting times.
Uncovering the hidden, wild history of Murrays Flat
Self-taught folk musician Pearlie Watling, a notable character in the Murrays Flat district. Pearlie formed her Old Time Band with family members and played for many years at the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club. Photo: John Meredith, National Library of Australia. A small rubblestone church and bluestone home in the distance flash by in a fleeting moment for passengers aboard trains approaching or leaving the outskirts of Goulburn.
Garfield House in Goulburn reveals its grand beginnings to curious new owners
Bruce and Kim Mills with an early Lands Department map which shows William H Broughton’s original block of land and abundant inscribed details. The first clerk of NSW for Governor Lachlan Macquarie, Broughton acquired a 650-acre block adjoining Goulburn’s boundary, marked by Combermere Street. Photo: John Thistleton. The more they lifted carpets, removed rubbish from their garden and researched, the more Bruce and Kim Mills grew to love their newly acquired heritage home in Hovell Street, Goulburn.
Government's super changes create confusion and chaos for Goulburn’s live music
Goulburn’s Hibernian Hotel draws crowds of young revellers and rockers of all ages on Friday and Saturday nights, but organising superannuation payments for the bands is disrupting the popular entertainment. Photo: John Thistleton. Live music venues in Goulburn and musos say the Australian Government’s new superannuation rules are damaging their industry.
Uncovering the hidden, wild history of Murrays Flat
Self-taught folk musician Pearlie Watling, a notable character in the Murrays Flat district. Pearlie formed her Old Time Band with family members and played for many years at the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club. Photo: John Meredith, National Library of Australia. A small rubblestone church and bluestone home in the distance flash by in a fleeting moment for passengers aboard trains approaching or leaving the outskirts of Goulburn.
Like The Little Red Caboose, Goulburn climbs to new heights with popular model expo
Goulburn Railway Station diorama by Guilford Model Railway Group. Other layouts at the Goulburn Model Expo this year will show Crookwell Railway Station in the 1960s, Binalong and Central Station. Photo: Leon Oberg. Train fanatics love numbers. Georges River Model Railway Club has been adding them up happily since 2024 when it chose Goulburn to host a modest display of 30 model train sets over a spring weekend. The numbers have been growing ever since.
Chance it! is motoring history mixed with a boys' own adventure
Broadcaster Ray Hadley will launch Chance it! – a hard cover coffee table book – in Goulburn on 22 August. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns wrote the book’s forward. Image: Melissa Parker, Jordan Web & Graphic Design. Cartoonist Warren Brown often recaptures the funny, ironic or surprising aspects of ordinary and extraordinary events. So he well knows people who experience the same event can come away with a different view.
Creating a just tribute for the last woman hanged in Goulburn
Karen Hollenbach, from Oakley in Melbourne, studying History Goulburn archives in December 2025. Karen aims to honour her third great-grandmother by viewing her crime through a 21st-century lens. Photo: Julie Penman. Few, if any, tears were shed for the last woman hanged in Goulburn, for killing her husband with a hammer and burning his body. But today this tragic case evokes a much different response: what must this woman have endured to have committed such a savage attack?
How a migrant unlocked her future, one word at a time from Woolworths
Lester Shepherd, outside the Old Cathedral that drew her to Goulburn and led to her meeting her future husband. Photo: John Thistleton. In her first tumultuous months in Australia, Lester Shepherd found an unlikely lifeline in a Sydney supermarket. From Indonesia and rounded on every day for her inability to speak English, Lester slipped into the supermarket’s fresh food section each night with an urgent appetite for Australian words.
Posties going to great pains to make sure our parcels get through
North Goulburn postie Josh Burns has been on his beat for 29 years and once worked with the legendary Wendell Rosewarne, who died in 2018. Photo: John Thistleton. Posties have been around neighbourhoods for generations, are respected in their communities and set people alight with excitement when they deliver a parcel. And yet motorists are blind to their local posties when they are sharing the road with them in their separate vehicles.
'Three minutes, are you extending?': The era of timing telephonists
A telephonists’ reunion in 1960. Front row from left: (unknown), Gloria Pearce, Chloe Patterson, Rose Ward, and Bronwyn Carpenter. First row: Fay White, Ruth Sherwin (nee Burrows), (unknown), Colleen Flynn (nee Hogan), Joan Coughlan (nee Wildin), Barbara Canty (nee Toone), Val Geale (nee O’Neill), Nola Gordon (nee Elliott), and Edna Kirkby (nee Hogan). Second row: (Unknown), Joan Verrender, Billie Masters, Edna Spice, Beth O’Neill, and Therese Bowen.
Posties going to great pains to make sure our parcels get through
North Goulburn postie Josh Burns has been on his beat for 29 years and once worked with the legendary Wendell Rosewarne, who died in 2018. Photo: John Thistleton. Posties have been around neighbourhoods for generations, are respected in their communities and set people alight with excitement when they deliver a parcel. And yet motorists are blind to their local posties when they are sharing the road with them in their separate vehicles.
Form followed function when Halsbury House brought modernism to Goulburn
Halsbury House in Montague Street, Goulburn, is across three addresses: 18 on the left, 20-22 in the centre and 24-26 on the right. Photo: John Thistleton. In 1938, a year before he left his legal practice to join World War II, solicitor Ian Duffy opened Halsbury House in Montague Street, Goulburn, adding intrigue to a street full of unique architecture.
'Three minutes, are you extending?': The era of timing telephonists
A telephonists’ reunion in 1960. Front row from left: (unknown), Gloria Pearce, Chloe Patterson, Rose Ward, and Bronwyn Carpenter. First row: Fay White, Ruth Sherwin (nee Burrows), (unknown), Colleen Flynn (nee Hogan), Joan Coughlan (nee Wildin), Barbara Canty (nee Toone), Val Geale (nee O’Neill), Nola Gordon (nee Elliott), and Edna Kirkby (nee Hogan). Second row: (Unknown), Joan Verrender, Billie Masters, Edna Spice, Beth O’Neill, and Therese Bowen.
Wool’s big move: Temora veteran backs return to regional auction floor
Temora-based wool marketer Marty Moses says the high cost of marketing and handling wool eventually comes back to the grower, which is why the industry could no longer afford to continue at Yennora. Photo: Moses & Son. Riverina wool growers could soon find themselves closer to one of the biggest changes in the industry in decades, with wool auctions set to return to regional NSW after almost 40 years in Sydney’s west.
Wool sales returning to Goulburn in 2027 as Sydney’s west becomes too expensive
Marty Moses says the high cost of marketing and handling wool eventually comes back to the grower, which is why the industry could no longer afford to continue at Yennora. Photo: Moses & Son. Wool buyers are expected to re-locate to Goulburn as the city synonymous with growing and marketing the premium fibre prepares for the return of wool sales.
One man’s legacy continues delivering on many fronts for Goulburn
Paul Stephenson with then Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson at the opening of a facility for people with disabilities in 2012. Photo: Veolia Mulwaree Trust. Goulburn’s continued growth is of much interest to Paul Stephenson. So far this year plans for more than 200 residential lots have been lodged for approval, mostly in the new suburbs of the city.
Hire ute leaves incriminating trail of two men allegedly illegally dumping near Goulburn
Jan Cheetham keeps an eye on passers-by from his property on Murray’s Flat Road near Goulburn. Photo: John Thistleton. With the help of a hire company, Jan Cheetham has tracked two young men he alleges illegally dumped an old mattress and bed and other material on his property near Goulburn. He discovered they made two trips in their hired ute to his place eight kilometres out of town, passing the Goulburn tip turnoff on both occasions.
Perfect landing takes Scott Cooper 38 years in tough industry
From voluntary administration to a club that now holds its own against strong competition within Goulburn’s hospitality sector, the Railway Bowling Club is consistently profitable, according to venue manager Scott Cooper. Photo: John Thistleton. In the hospitality industry for 38 years, serving and working with people every day, Scott Cooper changes into an introvert on his days off. It’s an indulgence for the venue manager who runs the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club for the Wyong Leagues Group.
Craig’s Furniture One to close, making way for national tool retailer
1 July 2026 Start the conversation Three generations of Craigs — Patrick, his grandfather John and father Simon — are approaching the end of an era in retailing. Patrick is studying engineering and Simon’s eldest son, Andrew, has graduated after studying law, politics and international relations and works for a Canberra legal firm. Photo: John Thistleton. One of Goulburn’s oldest family businesses, Craig’s Furniture One, will close at the end of this year.
Craig’s Furniture One to close, making way for national tool retailer
Three generations of Craigs — Patrick, his grandfather John and father Simon — are approaching the end of an era in retailing. Patrick is studying engineering and Simon’s eldest son, Andrew, has graduated after studying law, politics and international relations and works for a Canberra legal firm. Photo: John Thistleton. One of Goulburn’s oldest family businesses, Craig’s Furniture One, will close at the end of this year.
Perfect landing takes Scott Cooper 38 years in tough industry
From voluntary administration to a club that now holds its own against strong competition within Goulburn’s hospitality sector, the Railway Bowling Club is consistently profitable, according to venue manager Scott Cooper. Photo: John Thistleton. In the hospitality industry for 38 years, serving and working with people every day, Scott Cooper changes into an introvert on his days off. It’s an indulgence for the venue manager who runs the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club for the Wyong Leagues Group.
Aviators invited to Crookwell meeting to help reform historic aero club
Scott Montgomery of Grabben Gullen is keen to help reform Crookwell Aero Club. Aviators from a wide area have been invited to a public meeting to reform the Crookwell Aero Club. Businessman and former helicopter pilot from nearby Grabben Gullen Scott Montgomery has convened the meeting for Sunday 28 June at 11 am at the Crookwell RSL Club. Australian Flying Magazine is spreading the word about reforming the club, which first formed in 1928.
Federation restoration lifts streetscape, makes much-loved mother feel at home
Listed with Carol James Real Estate in 2023 for $540,000, this long-neglected Federation home has been renovated and upgraded for an elderly woman to age in place. Photos: John Thistleton (main) and Carol James Real Estate (inset). Adapting an old home for his elderly mother moving into Goulburn after 60 years on a farm, a valuer and property consultant has lifted the northern end of Auburn Street with a thoughtful restoration. His mother doesn’t want her name in this story.
Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton to share her memorial to Azaria with Goulburn theatregoers
With her husband Rick, Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton has been providing photos and copies of letters for the retelling in Goulburn of people’s reactions to a dingo taking her baby from the family’s tent in 1980. Photo: Chamberlain-Creightons. Answering an unknown number on his mobile phone at a service station one recent Tuesday afternoon, Blake Selmes was left speechless.
Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton to share her memorial to Azaria with Goulburn theatregoers
With her husband Rick, Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton has been providing photos and copies of letters for the retelling in Goulburn of people’s reactions to a dingo taking her baby from the family’s tent in 1980. Photo: Chamberlain-Creightons. Answering an unknown number on his mobile phone at a service station one recent Tuesday afternoon, Blake Selmes was left speechless.
New Goulburn play puts opposing political leaders in realistic light
After many years of musicals with the Argyle Society, a production with the Lieder Theatre Company and a decade with Rocky Hill Musical Theatre Company in Goulburn, Anthony Lewis (left) is turning his talents to a political thriller by playwright Chris Gordon (right). Photo: John Thistleton. Whether appalled by or applauding politics today, people who have lived through multiple terms of government agree everything seemed better back in their day.
Dishing the dirt: Goulburn’s green bin raiders rail against waste to replenish precious soil
Rocky Hill Recycled Sand and Soil composting processor Richard Williams and manager Tammi Thrower in front of a windrow, which generates enough heat to eradicate weeds and seeds. The mix will eventually be sold in bulk to replenish and rejuvenate gardens. Photo: John Thistleton. Most gardeners use a wheelbarrow to top up their compost heap. Richard Williams, the son of a legendary Goulburn nurseryman, uses a freight train.
Traditional woodworker’s handmade guitars pickin' up good vibrations
In ‘’The Vault’’, a small room off his workshop in Goulburn, Chris Bonham looks over his hand-crafted guitars made of repurposed timber. Photo: John Thistleton. Each of these guitars is handmade from worn-out pianos and old-growth timber reclaimed from heritage homes and warehouses. Chris Bonham made them all. The accomplished woodworker has allowed the swirling patterns of aged timber to guide his work. He is accredited in French polishing, too, enabling him to conserve patinas on some guitars.
Traditional woodworker’s handmade guitars pickin' up good vibrations
In ‘’The Vault’’, a small room off his workshop in Goulburn, Chris Bonham looks over his hand-crafted guitars made of repurposed timber. Photo: John Thistleton. Each of these guitars is handmade from worn-out pianos and old-growth timber reclaimed from heritage homes and warehouses. Chris Bonham made them all. The accomplished woodworker has allowed the swirling patterns of aged timber to guide his work. He is accredited in French polishing, too, enabling him to conserve patinas on some guitars.
From WWI warplane to 'rust bucket' Beetle: The incredible labor-of-love works of Wolfgang Nesteriuk
Manfred von Richthofen flew a triplane from 1917 like this replica to enhance his reputation as Germany’s much celebrated Red Baron. Grabben Gullen historic aircraft enthusiast Wolfgang Nesteriuk built the life-sized model which will be displayed at Tocumwal. Photo: John Thistleton. Maybe one day Wolfgang Nesteriuk’s replica Fokker triplane will fly. Perhaps that’s a crazy idea – because the life-sized model doesn’t even have an engine, as About Regional reported in November 2023.
From WWI warplane to 'rust bucket' Beetle: The incredible labor-of-love works of Wolfgang Nesteriuk
Manfred von Richthofen flew a triplane from 1917 like this replica to enhance his reputation as Germany’s much celebrated Red Baron. Grabben Gullen historic aircraft enthusiast Wolfgang Nesteriuk built the life-sized model which will be displayed at Tocumwal. Photo: John Thistleton. Maybe one day Wolfgang Nesteriuk’s replica Fokker triplane will fly. Perhaps that’s a crazy idea – because the life-sized model doesn’t even have an engine, as About Regional reported in November 2023.
New $30 million retail hub to create 160 jobs for Goulburn says Stevens Land
An artist’s impression of the new large format retail centre in Goulburn. Photo: Stevens Land. A $30 million shopping centre for large format retailers including Harvey Norman has been proposed for land in South Goulburn now occupied by former wool stores. The two-stage development will include a service station which has planning approval, and will create more than 160 jobs in retail, maintenance and grounds upkeep and $10 million in annual wages.
New $30 million retail hub to create 160 jobs for Goulburn says Stevens Land
An artist’s impression of the new large format retail centre in Goulburn. Photo: Stevens Land. A $30 million shopping centre for large format retailers including Harvey Norman has been proposed for land in South Goulburn now occupied by former wool stores. The two-stage development will include a service station which has planning approval, and will create more than 160 jobs in retail, maintenance and grounds upkeep and $10 million in annual wages.
Harvey Norman looking to develop new premises in Goulburn
On a prominent corner in Goulburn’s central business district, Harvey Norman franchisees are keen to move elsewhere. Photo: John Thistleton. Retailer Harvey Norman is looking for a greenfield site in South Goulburn to replace the premises it leases in the city’s main street amid a dispute over maintenance. The furniture and bedding, computers and electrical appliance departments are run by three separate franchisees under the Harvey Norman banner in the basement level store.
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