History

The Norvill family have lived in the Upper Hunter for generations and have farmed and grazed the land at Rock Dhu since the late 1800s.

In a similar fashion to many other families, who ventured forth to Australia and then settled on the land, they have left behind an extraordinary record of their lives and activities.

Peter Norvill has always had a strong sense of history and has supported and worked closely with the Murrurundi & District Historical Society. He has been meticulous in archiving and organising his family's history for his own satisfaction as well as for future generations.

The traces of life evident in the collection at "Norville" and Rock Dhu, include architecture, domestic utensils, farm machinery, documents, war service records, photographs and evidence of important and unusual events. Peter is also interested in the oral traditions. He embraces the stories of life on the land (and in the local town), knowing that these are an important part of the local lore for the district.

Lionel Norvill (Peter's father) served 1,731 days during the Second World War in the Middle East and New Guinea.

Drought, 1966

Stones ... Early land surveys
were often marked on the ground
with lines of stones to signify
boundaries or roads

The first fence strainer post I was told
to do on my own, 1967. We didn’t even
have a chainsaw back those days. This
photo was taken decades later, just
prior to this fences demolition