Numurkah Historical Society

03/05/2026

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Today we remember, First Constable Ray Denman who died in the line of duty 3 May 1964. He was just 38 years old 💙
Constable Denman was fatally shot when he responded to a call out from a distressed woman who reported that her boyfriend was armed with a shotgun and was trying to beat down her back door. Constable Denman attended and went to the rear of the house where the offender fired upon him with the shotgun, killing him instantly.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones.
In 2022 we re-dedicated the Ray Denman Short Stay Unit, which had been relocated and expanded with the re-development of the Shepparton Hospital, the unit named in his honour was funded by our Blue Ribbon Foundation Shepparton branch. It is a fitting tribute for his service and Constable Denman’s daughter, Gail, had also worked at the Goulburn Valley Hospital.
He will always be remembered.

28/04/2026

Did you know that it will be 70 years, next year, since the opening of Numurkah High School on the current Tocumwal Rd site? Maybe you would be interested in getting involved in planning next year's celebration....see attached information for more details of the initial planning meeting coming up soon.

27/04/2026

What was it like living in Numurkah & District in the 1960s and 1970s? One of our members is currently seeking memories / reminiscences of these two decades from people who lived in and around Numurkah at that time. Contributions will be collated and published into a booklet. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please contact us (e-mail, Messenger or call in at the Museum), and we can send you more details and an easy-to-use questionnaire that you can fill in and return to us.

Send a message to learn more

24/04/2026

ANZAC Weekend Information: The Historical Society's Museum (the old bank building on the corner of Melville and Knox Streets) will be open tomorrow for a few hours (Sat 25th April), after the town ANZAC service concludes. Feel free to drop in. We'll also be open on Sunday 26th at our usual time (1.30 to 3.30pm). Also, on Sunday there will be a special ANZAC-themed Cemetery Walk (see information attached)

18/04/2026

Please enjoy our April 2026 Newsletter. (Don't forget to zoom in for clarity of photos). Apologies for the late publication of our first newsletter for the year - time gets away!

08/04/2026

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Shepparton and Numurkah First Shire Council. ~JM

26/02/2026

Our final 150th "Legacy Project" is currently being finalised. We will be painting the side fence of the Historical Society (Knox St) with a history-based timeline mural, reflecting aspects of Numurkah's history. Community feedback is most welcome. Please go to the following link for feedback questions. Survey will conclude March 14th, 2026.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5LNTzut3dJK1Yl1OzhAUQhvJAW1M6j1qByBqgfvhU68YgMg/viewform?usp=header

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21/02/2026

After our successful 2025 "150th Anniversary" Timeline Display, we now have a new display for visitors to our Museum (locals and out-of-towners are all welcome)...............
Come and visit our LOCAL SCHOOLS Display in our front room and in the dining room. We have put together a range of general education & specific school memorabilia, old photos and information about many of our local schools, with a particular focus on the many rural schools that are now closed (there were well over 30 rural schools in our district "back in the day"). We are using some new display boards in the dining room which can be changed for new topics in the future. These are in addition to our usual front room cabinets that are changed from time to time. Locals maybe particularly interested in browsing through our copies of the High School's Bangerang magazines or, you might want to just reminisce by reading "John & Betty" or playing with the Cuisenaire Rods!

Rotary Club of Numurkah
Numurkah Secondary College
Numurkah Primary School

18/02/2026

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12/01/2026

There's a few things happening this week. In particular, Love our Lifestyle are hosting a Community Networking BBQ, at the Historical Society Museum this coming Thursday.....a chance to catch up with representatives from local businesses and community groups keen to promote Numurkah through the Love Our Lifestyle organisation. It's also a good chance to have a wander around the Museum, especially the 2025 "150th Anniversary" display before it is changed to a new display in February.

07/01/2026

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RSL Victoria today remembers the sacrifice of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Hendy, who died on this day in 1945 during the Second World War.

Pilot Officer Hendy was born to Stanley and Ila Hendy in Cobram, Victoria, on 9 October 1922. After completing his schooling, he worked as a shipping clerk for Rudders Pty Ltd before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force on 24 April 1942.

He qualified as a navigator and departed for service in Europe in 1943, via the United States.

Pilot Officer Hendy served with 640 and 635 squadrons as a navigator on Halifax and Lancaster bombers in sorties over occupied Europe.

On 7 January he was on a Lancaster bomber which departed England just after 7 pm to take part in an attack on Munich. The plane and its crew never returned.

A 1948 report based on an inspection of German documents found that the plane was shot down 10 miles west of Munich on the night of the attack.

The plane had exploded in mid-air and only two of the crew, both members of the RAF, were recovered by German authorities at the time of the crash.

The body of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Hendy was never recovered.

He is remembered today at the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Numurkah & District War Memorial Hospital, Numurkah and District War Memorial and Runnymede Memorial.