A Growing Circle

Every time someone adds their name to the list, it’s a quiet reminder of just how far Toganmain reaches.

I was going through the latest newsletter sign-ups the other day, and what struck me wasn’t just the number — it was the stories.

There’s a steady flow of people who’ve worked at the Woolshed, lived nearby, or heard about it through family. And they’re circling back. Signing up, saying g’day, leaving a note.

Take Gerard Mulligan — he worked there as a rouseabout in 1975. Nearly fifty years on, he still remembers it. Brian Lockhart mentioned his father shore at Toganmain in 1959. That sort of thing tends to stick, and from what they’ve shared, I reckon it does.

Some connections are brief but still real. Dave Smith shore there in 1985. Gavin Dyson said he only worked a single day in the mid-’80s — but it was enough to stay with him. Lorretta Cooper once lived on the place. Tarna Osborne’s mum grew up there, and she visited often as a kid. You hear memories like that and it’s clear the Woolshed isn’t just a landmark — it’s a part of people’s story.

Then there are the families. Maree O’Brien said her great-grandfather worked at Toganmain, and her cousin Mark Smith is still involved today. Don Stewart shared a bit of family history. Ann Foley wrote that her father managed North Tuppal station from 1925 for 40 years, and she lived there herself for a time. That kind of link spans decades.

Not everyone left a long message — some just mentioned the name or said they heard about it through Landline or a friend. But even that says something. This project seems to be drawing people in — not just out of curiosity, but out of recognition. Something familiar.

It’s good to see. And if you’re one of those who recently added your name, thanks for that. If you’ve been with us a while, we’re glad you’re still here. And if you’ve got a memory of Toganmain that you haven’t shared yet — well, I reckon we’d love to hear it.