History making Jacye Symes

Although a time consuming task over a long period of time, it has never bothered Jacye Symes of Yarrawonga helping to write books on the history of our local towns.

Her significant contribution to the communities of Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Wilby and Lake Rowan, to Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society and Pioneer Museum has resulted in her being named in the 2019 Australia Day awards for services to the community.

In 1988, research by Jacye, together with late Joyce Charnstrom, resulted in the publication of  ‘A Journey through the Parish of Karrabumet’ (formerly Lake Rowan). 

Following the success of their first publication Jacye and Joan published a second book ‘Wilby Walkabout’ in 1993, setting out the history of Wilby and the Parishes of Boomahnoomoonah, Boweya and Pelluebla.

Jacye was a valued member of the History Book Committee which, in 2018, produced the book ‘A General History of Yarrawonga Mulwala a bridge across time’ for the 150th Anniversary of the first survey of the Yarrawonga township in 1868.

“I’m thrilled, very surprised, flabbergasted,” the 86-year-old Allawah Hostel resident told the Yarrawonga Chronicle of her Order of Australia Medal announcement. “It’s pretty important to retain that history. I liked it and enjoyed that sort of thing.”

On Australia Day 1996, Jacye was declared Citizen of the Year for the Yarrawonga community. In December 2015, she was awarded Life Membership of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society.

Jacye was raised in the rural district of Wilby. She attended the local school until becoming a boarder at Korowa, Church of England Girls Grammar School in Melbourne, in 1949/1950. 

In 1958 she married Neil Davies Symes. Neil and Jacye raised their family and farmed the family property but she still found time to be involved in community activities particularly through Genealogy, family history and the district’s history. 

She also found time to play the organ at St Bede’s Lake Rowan, until its closure in 1967. Jacye was involved with the Almonds Tennis Club and received a club Lifetime Award. 

Jacye joined the Genealogical Society of Victoria and began attending meetings of local genealogical groups in St James, Cobram and Benalla Historical Societies. 

She began her research into the pioneering experiences of early settlers in the Lake Rowan District, originally known as Karrabumet. In partnership with Joyce, she sought information about their district from all available sources. They became regular attendees at the Public Records Office (Melbourne), Laverton Base Repository, Division of Survey and Mapping, Tungamah Shire Office, Benalla and Latrobe Libraries Maps Room State Library of Victoria. 

Jacye and her husband retired to Yarrawonga where Jacye joined and became a leader of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society. 

In 1994 she took on the role of Secretary /Treasurer, undertaking the roles for 18 and 20 years respectively. Her ascension to these roles was fortuitous as the Historical Society was in the process of taking over the building at 151 Melbourne Street Mulwala and establishing the Pioneer Museum. 

Jacye’s meticulous record keeping and attention to detail were invaluable. She catalogued almost 4,000 items at the museum, working countless hours at the museum to keep it open to the public and has always been willing to provide guided tours for groups – all of a volunteer nature. 

At the same time Jacye became the Research Officer for the Society. In her spare time she has continued her research activities and built up a record of people and events that have shaped the history of the district. She was Research Officer for 25 years.

Jacye’s assistance with at least 10 other history books has been acknowledged. She has provided information for a number of history publications for other authors and organisations. Her research records and her knowledge have also been pivotal to a number of successful projects for the Historical Society. These include the placement of plaques at sites of closed schools and churches, the marking of historic sites in the main street of Yarrawonga, the Moira Shire Heritage Overlay project and the Avenue of Honour Memorial Wall.

Volunteering at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourist Centre for some years has also been another example of Jacye’s wonderful community contribution.

Jacye has also contributed to the St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Yarrawonga, St Bede’s Church of England Lake Rowan and Yarrawonga and District Hospital.

Jacye has been an active member of the St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church in Yarrawonga since the closure of her local church in 1967. She has been a member of the Auxiliary and is a willing participant in all the Church activities including volunteering at the Friends of St Cuthbert’s Bric a Brac shop for over 17 years.

She also joined the Yarrawonga Health Hospital Auxiliary when she came to Yarrawonga and remained a member until the Auxiliary was wound up in 2016.

Jacye has two sons John Symes of Lake Rowan and Warren Symes of Wangaratta, daughter Narelle Russo of Mt Eliza and seven grandchildren.

“The whole family is thrilled that mum has received this amazing honour,” Narelle told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.

“We have always been proud of mum’s many accomplishments but we probably never fully understood the enormous contribution she has made.

“Mum has always loved being an active participant in her community, so giving back was just second nature to her, and delving into history, piecing together the clues and learning about the lives of ancestors, gave her such personal enjoyment and satisfaction. 

“We are so proud that her community recognises the value of her many, many years of voluntary work and the lasting legacy of her research.”

Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society Secretary Bruce McKean said, “The outstanding contributions made by Jacye Symes to our community in her particular fields and interests are unsurpassed. 

“She has never been one to seek accolades or publicity and remains humble and very private, while always responding positively to requests for her expertise. Jacye is held in high esteem throughout this community and is a most worthy nominee for recognition through the Order of Australia Awards.