Library's history collection expands

Published on 03 February 2022

People wanting to learn about the architecture of some of the Gannawarra’s historic buildings will benefit from the donation of a new item to the Gannawarra Library Service’s expanding collection.

Library service staff were presented with a copy of ‘Jes’ – A Dane in Australia during a presentation at Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library on Wednesday, 2 February.

Written by Peter Roberts and Patricia Ibbotson, the book focuses on Jes (James) Jorgensen, who was born in Denmark in 1839 and migrated to Australia 20 years later.

Jes married Irish-born Anne Murphy four years after his arrival in the country, with the couple and their family moving to Kerang in the late 1870s.

Upon his arrival, Jes and his children built many of Cohuna, Kerang and Koondrook’s historic buildings that are still in use today. These include the the St Mary Catholic Church at Cohuna, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church at Kerang, the main building at Kerang Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School hall at Kerang, Koondrook’s St Paul’s Church and the Barham Brickworks, now home of the Border Flywheelers Club.

“We were told these stories about the Jorgensen family’s role in constructing these buildings in Kerang when we were young, but we were not aware of the buildings that were constructed in Cohuna and Koondrook until we began researching the book,” Mr Roberts said.

“We only put in the book what we could actually document and prove because we know there are many other buildings that the Jorgensens were involved in constructing, but we could not prove,” Mrs Ibbotson said.

Mr Roberts and Mrs Ibbotson spent four years developing the book, with a family reunion held in Kerang in early 2020 helping to provide additional information. 

“The Gannawarra Library Service is pleased to play a role in preserving the Gannawarra’s vast history,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“‘Jes’ – A Dane in Australia will be added to our extensive collection of books, newspapers and records, which are an important resource for families and organisations wanting to learn more about the area or research key milestones.”

ABOVE: Library Team Leader, Tami Leggett (left), Peter Roberts and Patricia Ibbotson with a copy of 'Jes’ – A Dane in Australia.