There’s a gap in the history of “The Branch,” which the Karuah local history group would like to fill.
The Branch is a large pocket of land to the west of the Pacific Highway at the turnoff to Karuah.
Robyn Witt, a member of the Karuah Local History Group told News Of The Area, “We’re currently undertaking a project which will ultimately lead to a book on the area.”
The Branch dates back to the 1820’s.
The area was originally part of a one million acre grant of land belonging to the Australian Agricultural Company.
From the 1850’s to the 1930’s the area thrived, thanks to the timber industry and a local sawmill.
Between the 1930’s and the 1980’s a mill was owned by CSR and AMP owned a big chunk of land.
“And that’s where our information is sketchy,” said Robyn.
“We’d like to hear from anyone who remembers those years or has any information about those times.”
Today an old cricket pitch is all that’s left of the village and the derelict remains of a chimney marks the spot of the old mill.
The Karuah History Group would like to hear from anyone with information about the involvement of CSR and AMP in the area from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.
Robyn Witt can be contact on 0404461158 or email localhistory14@gmail.com.au or Lloyd Mitchell on 0249975943 or email loyd1941@bigpond.com.au
By Margie TIERNEY
I would like to know more about the village of The Branch.
I believe my mother’s Family lived there from early 1900’s to the 1950’s when my grandfather died.
I know not much is left of the village but would like find out anything about it to complete some family history.