On Saturday during the annual Man from Ironbark event a restored garage building once operated by Mr Moxon will be renamed in his honour.

Alf Moxon had a remarkable history.

Mr Moxon was born in 1880 on his parents’ farm in Bankstown, he was taken to New Zealand by his nanny,  Ada Wilson, in 1883 and raised as a Wilson. Many years later Ada and Alf returned to Australia and settled in Wellington.

In 1909 he married Rachel Carney in Wellington, using the name Wilson.

His brother, Henry Moxon  who was 14 when Alf was taken, somehow uncovered his true identity and the official marriage certificate was amended to show his real heritage. Henry was Mayor of Wrightville (near Cobar) at the time of this discovery.

Later Alf married Emma Bye, and a son, Cecil still lives in Orange.

Some 34 Moxon family members, most of whom are descendants of Alfred, will be gathering in Stuart Town to witness this historic event. Some of these visitors are travelling from Queensland, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Sydney for the occasion.

The man from Ironbark will be officially opened at 10.15 followed a re-enactment of Banjo Paterson’s “The Man From Ironbark” and a Prize for best look alike.   Dedication to renovations in Moxon Park at 11am (with far flung family members attending), then Street Parade and Easter Egg handout.   

Carol Heuchan, a nine times Laureate award winner who has just returned from her seventh professional U.S. and Canadian concerts will conduct a workshop at 9am and  Poets in the Park commencing at 12.30 with other poets encouraged to be involved, so come along and join in.

History will be revisted during the big day according to one of the committee Pam Gough.

‘’The Lachlan Living History Group will renact hold ups and other things appropriate to the early days of Ironbarks.  Apparently during the 1800’s rip roaring gold rush days when the population was around 5000 a Judge said “that Ironbarks should have a wall around it keeping the bad people in and the good one out” !

Today Ironbarks, renamed Stuart Town, is a rustic Village with under 100 families  yet the Festival attracts some 3000 people.   A re-enactment of “The Man From Ironbarks” will also take place and in keeping with our history a genuine old Stage Coach is available for folk to enjoy  travel the old fashioned way.   An added  attraction to the wide range of events is the Archery Range shooting and instruction.   In contrast the always popular helicopter rides glean a different perspective. ‘’ she said.

Apart from around 100 stalls with trinkets, toys and tools, furniture and fruit, wine tasting,craft, cushions, candles, candy, clocks and cane furniture, books and bonnets, homes for pets and humans, tools and toffy, plants & trees aplenty, model cars, welding, sheds and heaps more.

‘’  Boheme’s Hall at the oval (camping avail) will be open for early breakfast plus scrumptious morning teas during the day at their lovely open air setting’’

The Doll and Bear Exhibition is a popular attraction at the event while  the 1880 built old Railway Hotel which locals restored as an Arts and Crafts Centre (and Post Office) will house an Art Show by 3 popular local artists who have a great variety of oils, watercolours,

Concert in the Park featuring Jono Nicholson and Tracie Budd plus junior local talent commences at 2pm on and there will be day long music in the street plus numerous entertaining buskers.

Entry is only $2 with kids under 16 free.   Those from Sydney, Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Bathurst Orange etc we saved our Railway Station so you can relax and catch the XPT which arrives at 12.30 pm and departs at 3pm (please book with Countrylink as it’s Easter).

For further info please ring Festival Organiser Ben Penhall 0418669867 or me (Pam Gough 68468208) Email incl bookings www.themanfromironbarkfestival.com plus view more on facebook the man from ironbark.