(Dynnargh dhe'n gwiasva a Kowethas Kernow Kembra Nowydh Dyghow)

Established on 16 April 1975 at a meeting in the Old Toongabbie Methodist Schoolroom, the Cornish Association of Sydney was formed - now renamed the Cornish Association of New South Wales ( CANSW ) (in our language, Kernewek, it is 'Kowethas Kembra Nowydh Dyghow'). We mark our 50 years on 16 April, 2025.

Membership (which is by household) is currently just 66 households, covering about 100 interested people across NSW, and elsewhere. We are thus very small, and widely spread, so new members are always welcome! 55% of our members are outside Sydney (15% outside NSW, including Qld & ACT* and overseas) so we operate widely online. There is plenty of room for growth as there are many Cornish people working or retired in Australia, and well over 1% (or about 100,000 people) in the State of NSW have a strong Cornish ancestry - starting in 1788 with the arrival of convict Cornishman James Ruse and his countrymen on the First Fleet! Why not contact us? [* We have also traditionally also covered the ACT and Qld for those wanting there an association to be part of]

The CANSW follows earlier association(s) established in the late 1880s and with a presence lasting well past the 1920s - with some level of existence known until the late 1950s. The modern CANSW was formed in Sydney in 1975 initially by groups of post-WWII Cornish immigrants for mainly social and cultural activities but soon gained many members of Cornish descent (up to the 6th generation) across the state.

Today, the CANSW has people with interests covering a broad scope: Old and modern Cornish culture, migration, family history, history, language, music, dance, food, Celtic connections, Cornish heritage (in Cornwall and in Australia [see Stories pages]), Cornwall today, social contact, and more. Members receive 6 newsletters per year, which are lodged as ISSN since the 1990s with the NSW State Library and Australian National Library, plus now on NED (National Electronic Deposit).

MENU - Jump straight to: | NSW Cornish heritage 'Stories Site' | About our Association | Membership | Contacts |
| Members Information | | Information, Talks, Papers & Research | | FAQ (to build - ideas welcome) |
| CANSW - A Taste of our 50 years - Snapshots & Memories | Coming events | Honoured Members
| Bards of Cornwall in Australia |

Latest News: .. Next Association event/s - Lunch, Searock, East Circular Quay, Noon, Thursday 27th November 2025 .. contact Secretary for more details .. VALE: Founder Life Member, Rose Willisocroft 31 October ... See more about us, the Cornish and Cornwall on this website. .. Contact Secretary for more details ... end ..
This banner for latest news is updated only as new information is to hand

The Stories Site covers a wide range of Cornish heritage and history in NSW.

Do take a tour via this link: Stories Site - Welcome page

CANSW Heritage projects in Australia in the Stories Site include:

< Byng and its Chapel: The story from the 1840s to the present day.
Some of the pages which make up the Cornish Settlement or Byng story on the site: The Cornish Settlement starts: Byng & its Chapel, Bethel Rock and 'Parson' Tom, A Visit to the Orange & District Historical Museum - William Tom's Pipe Organ & a Tribute to William & Ann Tom, Wesleyan Baptisms at Byng, Wesleyan Cemetery Records at Byng, The First Australian Payable Gold Discovery.

< Cadia Engine House : A story of stabilisation and repair, together with many stories of Cadia Village and the opening of the new copper/gold mine.

And there is much more about the Cobar Cornish Family and Mining, the story of a Bal Maiden who recognised copper ore shown her

Navigate your 'tour' or go to pages of interest via the Menu at the left hand side of all those pages

More about our Association

Our Jubilee year was recognised by a number of activities and events. On Saturday 8th March, following our AGM, as part of our St Piran's celebration time was taken to hear from foundation members and others "when, how and why they joined, what their best memories are", and a 50 Year Cake was cut end enjoyed. A special edition newsletter issued in April covers memories and photos from the 50 years. A brief special Zoom get together on 16th April allowed us to raise a glass together and toast Cornwall and the Association. On 3 May, 2025 at Glen Innes during the Australian Celtic Festival, a 50 Year Plaque was inveiled in the 'Family Wall' at the Australian Standing Stones.

The CANSW has close contact with the other Cornish Associations in Australia and also is a member of the Celtic Council of Australia (in NSW) through which it is affiliated with the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW. Interchange with those other Cornish Associations, other Celtic communities, and many kindred Cornish groups in Cornwall and around the world, takes place regularly.

Members have extra access to a range of web pages covering: membership renewal form, sample newsletter, fliers, many talks & articles, interesting links etc. For Cornish Association members resources, research, and library

The AGM is held on the Saturday closest to St Piran's Day (5th March), and membership (which is by household) starts then and runs for 12 months. Normally six (6) Newsletters per year are mailed, or if you wish, emailed in pdf form to members.

Meetings, functions, and live activities are held about 3 times a year - AGM and function in Sydney in March, end of Year Lunch in Sydney, a function in Glen Innes in May, and from time in other areas of NSW.

Involvement with Cornish Associations and their activities interstate (eg. Kernewek Lowender in South Australia, and any Victorian Celtic Festivals) is a key part of the Associations programme as are involvement in other Celtic Festivals (eg. the Australian Celtic Festival at Glen Innes).

As part of the on-going Calendar, there is Association attendance in May at the Australian Celtic Festival at Glen Innes in the north of NSW. In the past there were heritage activities at the old Cornish Settlement and Chapel at Byng (near Orange), and occasionally such other operations as those at Cadia and Cobar.


Glen Innes Celtic Festival 2012


You would be very welcome, wherever you live!

Find out what Events are coming up in the CANSW Calendar. You would be very welcome at any of them.

Annual Subscription is A$15.00 per household. Our term is annually from the day after the AGM, usually near St Pirans Day (5th March) to the next one - but you may join at any time.

To enquire about Membership write to the Secretary at the address shown below, or
Send an E-mail to the Secretary at secretary@cornishnsw.org

Get your CANSW Objects & Rules of Association in PDF here: Objects & Rules
Membership / Renewal Form
Download Membership Form
(in pdf) - download and / or print, and fill in - then post to us with your cheque, or take a photo and email (after depositing the fee in our bank).

Get CANSW information flyers here: What do these names have in common?
AND/OR Cornish Recipes of the CANSW?

Subscribe to the 'Cornishdownunder' Facebook page run by CANSW and CAV members by clicking below!

FACEBOOK
If you would like to learn more about Cornwall and Cornish culture, some of the wider activities associated with its members, or Cornish communities around the world you can use the following links provided by the CANSW Secretary:

Previous Talks and Papers available

Kernewek - the old Celtic Cornish language that is very much alive: A Basic Cornish Dictionary for your interest.
- Word for the season "Yeyn" meaning - Cold

Music! More coming on music and songs, but for now listen to the Ragged Band singing an anthem for Cornwall - Trelawney
Sing along with Jim Wearne from the USA: 'This isn't England!'

Interested in 'Cornish First Names' for children

Or perhaps you would like Cornish Food (incl some recipes)

For information about The Bards of Cornwall in Australia web site

Overseas and local link suggestions:

Contacts:

CANSW President, and Treasurer:

Joy Dunkerley, 34 Circular Avenue, Sawtell NSW 2452
Tel: 0428 617 830
Email: President

CANSW Hon. Secretary; and for membership, newsletter editor and website:

Chris Dunkerley, 34 Circular Avenue, Sawtell NSW 2452
Tel: 0409 393 059
Email for enquiries and general correspondence: secretary@cornishnsw.org

Family History interest contact: Doreen Davis, email: CANSW Family History interest contact
OR
Alternative Family History interest contact: Jill Beard, email: CANSW Family History interest contact

Kindred Cornish Associations in Australia and NZ :

Cornish Association of Victoria Inc - including branches
Cornish Association of South Australia (est. 1890) - including branches
Cornish Associations of New Zealand - including branches

Note: Consolidated - 'Sites Story' web pages compiled and produced by the late Dr John L. Symonds for the CANSW, and the balance of the site by Chris Dunkerley webmaster for the CANSW
This index page first created on 17 April 1997 - This page last Updated: 31 October, 2025 ( overall into our 30th year on the web!! [This is Rebuild 2 - on WebCentral from July 2024] )
© CANSW 1996 - 2025
Cornish Association of New South Wales (CANSW)