Personal tale wins Yvonne Jenkins Memorial essay prize

Noticeably surprised to be honoured, Mrs Martin told the small crowd assembled at the Lithgow and District Family History Society building the essay covered a time in her life she had discussed with few people. 

“It’s the time in my life when I was beginning as a nurse, meeting my husband and beginning the 45 years of marriage we had before I lost him,” she said. 

Mrs Martin said the story included things people did not know, “my children don’t know, well, they do now,” she said. 

“It's a story I've been meaning to write, even before Yvonne encouraged us to do so.”

The essay competition invited people to write on ‘An important time in my life was…..’ within the framework of a 1000 word essay.

Yvonne Jenkins OAM was remembered as a passionate member of the society who would urge others to write down and record their family stories. 

She was also renowned for her ability to co-opt people into joining the group and her special projects. She was awarded an OAM in 2008 for her services to Rydal and the wider district. 

At the event, Dr Ian Jack presented the Yvonne Jenkins lecture, a fascinating insight into Lithgow’s founders and its unique remaining buildings. 

A Senior Fellow and archivist at St Andrews College, Sydney University, Dr Jack’s talk was on the topic 'Heritage of Lithgow: the Interface of Rural and Industrial’, with a particular focus on two of the region’s founders, Thomas Brown and Andrew Brown. 

You can see his full presentation here: 

Next year’s essay competition will be on ‘A favourite heirloom I have or would like to have’.