HISTORY-NEWS-june-july-20151

AROUND THE SOCIETIES
AROUND THE SOCIETIES
The column is compiled by volunteers Helen
Boak and Lenore Frost on behalf of the
History Victoria Support Group. For the 1
August 2015 issue please send forthcoming
events and your newsletters to: office@
historyvictoria.org.au by 10 July 2015.
APOLLO BAY: The Apollo Bay Museum
has a display of local records, photographs
and memorabilia from World War 1. Audio
stories and DVD tributes can be found on the
Apollo Bay Community website http://www.
apollobay.vic.au/. The Apollo Bay Museum
opens 2-5pm Saturday, Sunday and Public
Holidays and during School Holidays.
AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY - VICTORIA:
Our Newport museum is open on Saturdays
between 12 noon and 5.00 pm. Further
information about the museum is at www.
facebook.com/NewportRailwayMuseum .
This society is new to RHSV so please offer
your support by visiting the museum or
attending the film night on June 25. Contact:
secretary@arhsvic.org.au.
BALWYN: Settlement in Balwyn began with
the grant of an 8 square mile Special Survey.
Pioneer setter Andrew Murray acquired a
subdivided part, planted a vineyard and built
a house he named Balwyn (bal hill and wyn
wine). The area remained largely farming until
tram transport was extended to Balwyn in
1916 and the population grew rapidly.
BENALLA: Did your family have a shire
President in Benalla? If so, we would like you
to contact us with any information you can
provide on your ancestor. Do visit our Museum
it has been rejuvenated with new carpet and
repainting along with the completion of our
dedicated War Services Room. Contact: 5762
6093 or email: benhist@vicnet.au.
BENDIGO: Each month we have an
interesting speaker at our meetings at the
Bendigo TAFE theatrette at 2pm. The topic
for June 5 is “Bendigo Cricket” with speaker
Peter McIvor and for July 3 “Malmsbury
Bluestone” by speaker Sue Walker. When
visiting Bendigo call Specimen Cottage on
5441 3442 for information on our regular
walking tours and exhibitions.
BUNGAREE: From a letter by Corporal
George Youla to Miss Rosenthal for her
Christmas billy. ‘I thank you very much for
a billy from Ballarat, where I joined. I have
a nice cup of cocoa at night now. I was six
month in the trenches, but am now in the
Mounted Police. I will be glad when the war
is over. All of us are proud of the Australian
women for what they are doing….’
CANTERBURY: Our aim for 2015 is to
enlarge our historical resources and further
establish our group as a hub for local history
and heritage in our area. If you have any
information on interesting families, businesses,
schools, community groups, or growing up
in the Canterbury area, please contact us via
email: canthist@gmail.com.
CARISBROOK: Can you imagine living
without electricity? On November 24, 1937
Carisbrook celebrated the ‘switching on’
of electricity. The Carisbrook Betterment
Association toiled for eight years to have the
township connected to the State electricity grid.
The SEC had been formed in 1921 to generate
and distribute power throughout our state.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS: A timely
reminder for societies to have a hard copy of
their historical records. As operating systems
are upgraded some images and records stored
on old technology are becoming inaccessible.
In centuries to come, historians looking back
on the present era could be confronted by a
digital desert.
COLLINGWOOD: The Society has had an
active involvement in heritage planning for
the City of Yarra and previously for the City
of Collingwood. We are deeply concerned that
the historical and heritage value of the area be
respected for the benefit of future generations,
both the natural heritage of the Yarra River and
the built heritage.
DANDENONG: After over 12 months of
planning a combined archive storage facility
with the City of Greater Dandenong and
Springvale & District Historical society is to
become a reality. Council has also passed a 10
year plan which will rocket our Art & Heritage
Strategy into the future. A great example of the
community working together.
DONCASTER-TEMPLESTOWE: In 1914
most of the residents in the Shire were involved
with fruit growing. Properties of men who went
to war were becoming neglected. An idea was
put forward to the Council for youths to take
charge of an orchard which they did for free.
Any profit was given to the owner and losses
absorbed by the council.
EAST MELBOURNE: Over the past year
we have researched the lives and service of 758
men and women who volunteered for World
War 1. The research gave us an insight into
East Melbourne as a working class suburb,
peopled by labourers, factory workers, clerks,
drivers, carpenters, gardeners, the occasional
baker, barman and bookbinders and a thin
sprinkling of professional people.
GEELONG: Geelong is home to many
tall elegant industrial chimneys typifying
19 th century industries, they are beautiful
architecture and important industrial survivors.
They rise from a variety of buildings associated
with employment and the prosperity of the
region. For more information and a detailed
description/tour information contact: 5278
3530.
GISBORNE & Mt MACEDON: We are
recreating a horse stall in the stable building
at the Court House precinct as part of a static
display of the district’s agricultural, social
and industrial heritage. We will be looking for
donations or loans of relevant equipment and
photographs from the district. If you can assist
contact: history@gisbournemountmacedon.
org.au.
GLEN EIRA: On Wednesday 22 July at our
AGM the special guest speaker will be Mr.
Jim Claven, Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli
Commemorative Committee. He will speak
on Australia’s significant connection with the
Greek Island of Lemnos during WW1. Visitors
welcome. Venue: Boyd Room, Carnegie
Library. Enquiries 9077 5395.
HASTINGS WESTERN-PORT: Early
versions of the submarine date back to 1620
when a Dutchman, Cornelis Drebbel built a
submersible boat that made a few trips along
the Thames River, London. The modern
version was developed by the U.S. military. A
variety of prototypes were made with two early
designs called the Platypus and the Toad.
HEALESVILLE: As part of Healesville’s
150 th Anniversary a historic trail was developed
with around 26 plaques located around the
town. An informative brochure is available
for this interesting 3.2 km return walk. There
is also a rejuvenated Railway Walk from the
station to the town with commemorative
pavers. Contact: hhsociety@optusnet.com.au.
KILMORE: Thursday 29June 1911. Kilmore
shire council arranged to donate 5 pounds
towards any public movement to celebrate the
coronation of King George V. After appeals for
the school picnic, Kilmore hospital, fireworks,
the fire brigade and the band it was noted.
“…the president settled all further appeals by
saying the 5 pounds had not been passed for
payment to anybody!!
KNOX: Our first Family Fun Day attracted
over 300 visitors. There were tours of the
historic buildings, entertainment in the
beautiful gardens and on the lawns children
played games of hookey and marbles or made
pom poms and dolly pegs. Local artisans and
community groups set up various stalls. A
wonderful day showcasing our historic venue.
KOROIT: From a letter home by a soldier:
“First they shave you with a wooden razor,
grease you all over with soft soap and flour then
you are thrown in a big canvas tank of water,
in which you are dipped up and down. All who
never crossed the line before had to go through
it including officers.”
LAKES ENTRANCE: A recently donated
collection of postcards of Lakes Entrance
highlight the changes to Lakes Entrance over
the years the family holidayed here. Have
you considered what treasures you have in
your home that could be shared with others
by donating them to the appropriate history
society?
PUFFING BILLY: Puffing Billy has recorded
increased passenger numbers in the last 12
months. Some of the increase is due to the
use of on-line bookings increasing passenger
up to 180 per day. Several other projects are
underway including a new Lakeside kiosk,
moving “Thomas” to Gembrook for the Spring
Season and numerous other maintenance
items.
10 www.historyvictoria.org.au