Above photograph: from Tomerong Archives; back reads: Winnie in her bridesmaid rig

People make places. They live, work, love and survive. They build villages and towns and create places to help them hold onto memories. The village Tomerong has such a rich and detailed history, because of those lives and those people.

And the Tomerong Union Church has played a significant role in many of the lives of the people that established and grew this community. These buildings have been witness to celebrations of life, love and marriage; births, christenings and baptisms; as well as grieving losses of loved ones with families. Birthdays have been commemorated and literary debates held, along with fundraisings, community meetings, picnics and garden parties.

Below are some such events — more to be added soon!

• The first marriage to be held in the new church in Tomerong was reputedly that of Robert William Kells and Ann Bryce on May 15 1885

• The wedding of Mr D E Rutson of Milton and Miss I E Bettens of Tomerong took place at the Union Church in July 1904

• The Church Committee purchased a cedar christening font in 1962 following a bequest to the Church by the late Mrs Christine Sampey. The font was dedicated on March 22^nd at a service conducted by Rev. Bryce Wilson. Gail Elizabeth Suffolk, daughter of Mr & Mrs Jim Suffolk was the first child to be baptised in the font.

• June 22^nd 1977 the Methodists, Congregationalists, and some Presbyterians joined together to form the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church continued conducting services as did the Presbyterians.

Below are some photographs scavenged from the Tomerong archives – enjoy 🙂