About the Lightning Ridge Historical Society
The Lightning Ridge Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the heritage of opal mining and the community in Lightning Ridge and surrounding areas.
The Historical Society was first conceived in 1979, when some enterprising locals asked the question:
“Should we establish a society to preserve and protect local history?”
“It is important to our children that we should look after our national heritage.
One wonders how many people have early photographs or mementos of the years gone by, or others perhaps who can still remember yarns told to them by grandparents, parents and old timers.
Many of these tales have been collected in the Stuart Lloyd book of Lightning Ridge and perhaps other publications, but it might be an idea for a society to be formed here to ensure that the early history of this town is not lost forever.”
“Oxford” Terry Basford.
The Society was formed in March of 1982 at the suggestion of founder “Oxford” Terry Basford, a well-respected local, with foundation members Robina and Val Boardman.
The museum complex is located in Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge, at the site of the Graham Brothers’ hut, built 1932, which was established as a historical reserve. In 1992, a transportable container was added for archival storage and office facilities.
In 1999, the Bush Nurse Association cottage hospital was relocated to the block for preservation and to form part of the museum exhibit. The cottage restoration was completed in 2001, with the Bush Nurse Association cottage housing exhibits relating to the BNA and local heritage.
Foundation Members
Terrence "Oxford Terry" Basford (1923–2007)
Robina & Val Boardman
Our Trustees and Researchers
Rhonda White - President
Jen Molyneux - Vice President
Barbara Moritz - Secretary/Treasurer
Graeme Anderson
Jenni Brammall
Leisa Carney - Researcher
Russell Gawthorpe - Researcher
Life members
| Barry Hayes (1993) | Terry Basford (1993) |
| Jerry Lomax (1993) | Farid Khan (1993) |
| Helen Stratford (1993) | Joe Stratford (1993) |
| Peter Sherman (1993) | Ian Woodcock (1993) |
| Pauline Jackson (1993) | Len Cram (1994) |
| Barbara Moritz (1996) | Alecia Stahlhut (1998) |
| Ken Dale (1998) | Bentine Gems (2000) |
| George Mulder (2001) | Winn White (2001) |
| Rhonda White (2001) | Lloyd Thompson (2002) |
| Michael Swan (2002) | Madeleine Lenz (2002) |
| Jean Anderson (2006) | Graeme Anderson (2006) |
| Margie Schofield (2012) | Warwick Schofield (2012) |
| Michael Taylor (2014) | Christina Johannson (2014) |
| Kylie Moore (2014) | Wolfgang Johannson (2014) |
| Orel Moore Lea (2014) | Jenni Brammall (2014) |
| Arthur Turner Family (2015) | Gwen Jenkins (2016) |
| Andrew Kemeny (2017) | Athol Jenkins (2016) |
| Vicki Bokros (2017) | Steve Doyle (2018) |
| Leisa Carney (2022) | Russell Gawthorpe (2022) |
