1. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
History
NEWS HISTORY WEEK 24 – 31 October
Issue No. 288 AUG 2010
Royal Historical Society of Victoria
Facts & Fables – making
Calling all History Week 2010 event details
local history History Week 2010 is being held from Sunday 24 October to
Sunday 31 October and a range of exciting events are planned.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 August But we need your event details to add to the list!
The RHSV conference – Bendigo To make sure your event is included on the History Week website,
Come and spend an inspiring and stimulating weekend in please send the following information to:
Bendigo taking part in our conference. info@historyweek.org.au:
• the event title;
The flexibility of the weekend allows you to book for any
• a brief description of the event;
or all of the weekend’s events; these include Saturday’s
informative excursion to historical sites associated with the • the location of the event;
150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition; or the • the event time;
conference dinner when the guest speaker will be the Sir • a cost (if any); and
John Monash Distinguished Professor, Graeme Davison on • a contact (name and telephone number) for more
Facts and Fables: making history; or Sunday’s session when information.
excellent speakers will be discussing different ways in making We’ll then provide you with a copy of the official History Week
local history. logo to include on all of your promotional material and send
The full conference program and booking form is included you a bunch of postcards to promote History Week to your local
with this newsletter or can be downloaded from the RHSV community.
website. If you don’t have anything planned as yet, put your thinking caps
on. Possible event topics include:
Bookings close Monday 23 August.
• history walking tours around town;
• Open House ‘behind the scenes’ tours of historical buildings;
• celebrating the life of a local identity;
BOOK SALE • exploring the history of housing styles in your area;
• tracing your family history;
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 10am – 4pm • creating a town time capsule; and/or
Bring out your books!!!! • welcoming a guest speaker to talk on an area of interest to
residents.
We need books for the famous RHSV Annual Book Sale!!
Make sure you get back to Samantha Smith, History Week
Clean out your bookshelves; reduce that heap of books on your Coordinator and send her an email with your details
bed side table!!! info@historyweek.org.au by the 28 August 2010.
If you have any books that you no longer need please ‘phone us And help spread the word!
on 9326 9288 and we’ll come and collect them. Speak to your local school, newspaper, radio station and
Alternatively you can drop them off at the RHSV – there is 10 community groups and invite them to become involved with
minute free parking outside the front door. and promote History Week.
We welcome books on any topic. Join in on the celebrations and make this year’s History
Week another stunning success!
Any offers of help gratefully received. For all enquiries, please contact the Royal Historical Society of
Victoria on (03) 9326 9288.
Thank You
The Royal Historical Society of Victoria would like to thank the LECTURE – Tuesday 10 August
Vera Moore Foundation for once again supporting History Week.
Small historical societies and larger organizations are brought VICTORIA IN FOCUS: The RHSV’s
together by the RHSV under the umbrella of History Week – Photography Collection
the cumulative effect is a fabulous array of events throughout
Victoria. This would not be possible without the support of the Tuesday 10 August
Vera Moore Foundation. Speaker: Michele Summerton
The RHSV will be announcing its HISTORY WEEK grants Where: RHSV
program for affiliated historical societies in the September edition Time:
zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/ tea/coffee 5.45 Lecture
5.15pm
of History News Cost: Members Free Non- Members $5.50
1

2. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
RHSV NEWS
Exhibition on the Catalan
Community in Victoria
Community history ignored in
Did you know that Catalan people were the
first ones to grow tomatoes in Australia? Did election campaign
you know that the famous Australian meat
pie was a French-Catalan invention? The The national peak body, The Federation of Australian Historical
connection of the Catalan community with Societies representing over 100,000 historical society members in
Victoria was central to the development of
Australia is disappointed that none of the major political parties has so
Melbourne in the beginning of the 20thC.
Indeed, one can still recognise the influence far paid attention to the community history movement’s important role
of those Catalan pioneers in Victoria. during the current federal election campaign.
Myriades Associacio Cultural is organising
an exhibition on the Catalan community in Don Garden, President of the Federation through the development of local history
Australia. If you have any information or of Australian Historical Societies, argues museums and tourist information on other
contacts of people from Catalan or Spanish that community history deserves far more historic places.
descent, please get in touch with Lluisa support. He urges party leaders to clearly Suppor t for community histor y
at lluisavilalta@myriadesculturals.org or acknowledge this in their policy statements. organisations to provide essential resources
0415977530. ‘Community histor y volunteers do for the new National Curriculum in
Lluisa Vilalta is Project Manager at invaluable work that would be far more History.
Myriades Associacio Cultural, a non-for- expensive if undertaken by government Support that allows community history
profit organisation based in Barcelona. agencies’, Associate Professor Garden organisations to protect heritage places
said. ‘Particularly in rural and suburban and collections from climate change’s
Welcome Jane areas’, he continued, ‘they make significant predicted impacts.
contributions to local economies. Assuming
At the July council meeting, Council was that the estimated 100,000 members each Associate Professor Garden warns that
delighted to co-opt Jane Carolan onto the contributes an average of one hour of their failure to offer such assistance would
Council. A full introduction to Jane will time per month, valued conservatively at have dire consequences. ‘Many historical
be published in the September edition of $20 per hour, this gives a total of about societies’, he added, ‘are already under
History News. $24 million per annum.’ considerable financial pressure, finding
it increasingly difficult to undertake tasks
Wonderful Whites Many of those contributions are now under that the wider community expects and
threat unless greater government assistance values.’ He calls on parties contesting
The Society is grateful to Whites Law is provided. Examples include –
Binder y who have been re-binding the federal election to properly address
damaged volumes of the Sands and Support and training to preserve, protect, societies’ concerns.
McDougall Directories of Victoria on our display and digitise the large number of Contact
behalf. valuable collections held by community
history organisations. Federation of Australian Historical
Members will understand the very heavy Societies
use made of these volumes and the Greater support to enable community www.history.org.au
inevitable wear and tear given the number history organisations to contribute as
of pages and the fragility of the paper. Ted effectively as possible to tourism, especially
Congdon and Chris McIntyre are terrific
to deal with and we are thrilled with the
newly stitched and newly covered volumes.
The Company acquired our former binder, Open house at the Drill Hall
Apollo Moon, some years ago and all Over the weekend of 24 and 25 July the RHSV participated for the first time
business is now conducted at White’s office
in Glenhuntly Road, South Caulfield.
in Melbourne Open House as one of fifty-nine buildings in the city which
opened their doors to the public. Nearly 550 visitors, many of whom had
We strongly recommend the firm to
members interested in binding and printing
never been to the Drill Hall before, streamed through the building. We had
jobs, no matter how small. a lot to offer with Jenny Davies’ Beyond the Facade exhibition about
Flinders Street, as well as our splendid Art Deco building and mysterious
historical activities.
The RHSV Foundation Owing to the window project still being underway (to assist in dust-proofing
continues to build our Collection), a huge amount of re-organising and cleaning had to be done
We are delighted to announce the support to present a fresh face to the public. So our grateful thanks to Lenore Frost
of our most recent Foundation Founder: who managed and contributed so much to our involvement in Melbourne
Dr. Hugh Anderson Open House, and to Society volunteers who helped both with the cleaning
We wish to correct a mistake – in the and shifting, and with their presence during the Open House: Liz Coady,
June edition of History News we forgot to Marg Connor, Jenny Davies, Joan Hunt, Lorraine James, Andrew
include Olwen Ford, along with Frank Lemon, Chris Manchee, Norma Mullins, Jane Nigro, Diana Phoenix,
Ford, as a recent Foundation Founder. Susan Priestley, John Rose, Simon Smith, David Thompson, Brian
We apologise for forgetting her name and Ward. Furthermore, our many thanks to staff member Gerardine Horgan
thank her very much for her generous zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/ in the last minute rush.
support. who was stalwart in her help and advice
2

3. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
WHAT’S ON
TUESDAY 31 AUGUST 23 SEPTEMBER From the President
Having had the opportunity, for the first
time in my career, for a two month research
visit to England, I came back at the end
of June with horizons broadened. Was the
mind deepened? Who can say. My absence
PATRON: Prof David de Kretser AC
Speaker: overlapped to some extent with that of our
The Great Melbourne
Governor of Victoria
Dr Richard
PRESIDENT: Prof Lynne Selwood MSc PhD
Executive Officer, Kate Prinsley, who was
The Royal Society of
Telescope: Restoring our
Victoria Gillespie off on her Churchill Fellowship tour of
and
Museum Victoria
community heritage facilities in America
astronomical heritage
The Royal Historical “The Great Melbourne
and the UK. Kate returned last week, at
Flinders Street Station Society of Victoria Telescope: Restoring
JOINT ANNUAL LECTURE: our astronomical
the end of July. Each of us can only say
Exhibition’ celebration Joint Annual Lecture: heritage”
sincere thanks to all those who kept the
The Royal Society of Victoria Pre-Lecture Refreshments from 6.15pm
23rd September
Cost of refreshments $20 pay on the night
Please join us for an ‘end of the Flinders RSVP for catering is essential by 12 noon
wheels turning.
Street Station Exhibition’ celebration on and the RHSV2010 21st September 2010 (Telephone
7pm
96635259 or email:
In particular I am thinking of our Office
Tuesday 31 August. Jason Robert’s water Speaker: Dr Richard Gillespie
at the Royal Society Hall
Entrance now at 8 La Trobe Street
rsv@sciencevictoria.org.au
Manager, Gerardine Horgan and to
colour of Flinders Street Station will be Where: Royal Society Hall, entrance Christine Cooze and Vicki Court for doing
up for auction as well as several of the now at 8 LaTrobe Street, so much more than merely holding the fort.
other framed copies of the architectural Melbourne
drawings. Indeed I am so impressed by all that
Time: Pre-lecture refreshments happened during my absence that it is
Where: Royal Historical Society of 6.15pm (Cost $20 on the tempting to disappear again! When I
Victoria night) returned the windows double-glazing
When: Tuesday 31 August. project was all but complete, a real benefit
Lecture: 7pm to the Society and its collections that came
5.30pm to 7pm. RSVP: for catering essential 12 noon directly from the Federal government
Cost: Free 21 Sept, telephone 9663 5259 Jobs Fund project and indirectly from
To assist with catering please RSVP by or email rsv&sciencevictoria.org.au advocacy by the Federation of Australian
Thursday 26 August Historical Societies on which the RHSV is
represented. Renovations try the patience
of the most saintly, but the end result is
TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
already appreciated with much reduced
noise levels, better temperature control
The Many Lives of Kenneth Myer and much less dust. It is pleasing to know
Speaker: Sue Ebury Ken Myer introduced Australia to the first that many regional historical societies have
regional shopping centres, with Chadstone also had the benefit of this funding for their
Venue: RHSV premises.
changing the face of the Australian
Time: 5.15 tea/coffee. Lecture 5.45 landscape. Parking meters, state of the Not only the windows were in place. So
Cost: Members Free art information systems at the National was the planning for our end of August
Library of Australia, ground-breaking conference in Bendigo – please make a
Non Members $5.50 medical research at The Howard Florey point of joining us in this wonderful historic
When Kenneth Baillieu Myer’s father Institute and genetic engineering at city where we will consider facts and fable
fell dead on the footpath in 1934, Ken’s CSIRO were all facilitated by him. in the presentation of local history, and
life changed in an instant. As the eldest Visionary and romantic, he was depressive get some new insights into the Burke and
son of the Jewish immigrant retailing and driven, charming one moment, icy Wills expedition which headed off to the
genius, Sidney Baevski Myer, who went the next. Unpretentious and a passionate outback 150 years ago this month. Also
from pedlar to philanthropist millionaire conservationist, he was generous both in place was the temporary exhibition at
in fifteen years, 13-year-old Ken was publicly and anonymously, giving away his A’Beckett Street to mark the centenary of
immediately acknowledged as head of the fortune and in doing so founding modern Flinders Street station curated by Jenny
family. philanthropy in Australia. Happiest when Davies. Her energy and enthusiasm gave
Despite a conventional education at finally free of the Store, he died with his the RHSV our most successful and visited
Geelong Grammar and a year at Princeton wifeYasuko in a light plane crash in Alaska exhibition in years. By popular demand it
University, Ken was an unconventional in 1992. has been extended till the end of August:
man. He had hit headlines when he With unprecedented access to family make a point of coming to see it, or see it
was born and continued to make news documents, Sue Ebury paints a vivid again, before it closes.
throughout his life-as the powerful portrait of the many aspects of Ken Myer’s Also in place were arrangements for
Executive Chairman of Myer; in his refusal life, and the man himself. the RHSV’s first involvement in the
to be Governor-General of Australia; with Melbourne Open House weekend at
his separation and divorce from his wife Sue Ebury was born and educated in New the end of July, where our former Drill
Prue and remarriage to a Japanese woman Zealand. After nineteen years as an editor Hall was one of dozens of distinctive
half his age,Yasuko Hiraoka; as Chairman and publishing director at an international buildings open to the public. Our co vice-
of the Victorian Arts Centre and the publishing house, she moved to Hong Kong, president Lenore Frost organised a team
National Library of Australia; and during where she edited The War Diaries of Weary of volunteers to welcome the curious, and
his disastrous years as Chairman of the Dunlop and wrote the bestselling biography the Society’s headquarters have never
ABC-a reward for signing the ‘Myer It’s Weary: The Life of Sir Edward Dunlop. been so attractively presented. We were
time’ letter, acknowledged by Whitlam as rewarded by nearly 600 visitors over the
influential in bringing the Labor Party to
zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/
continued page 6
power in 1972.
3

4. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
BOOKS RECEIVED
BOOKS RECEIVED on each of the governors from Phillip to In its own words, ‘a compilation of interviews,
We note below relevant items sent to the Marie Bashir. Written by different authors, photographs and articles’ that aims to
Society. Interested groups or authors are each essay focuses on the time each governor ‘encapsulate the spirit of Birchip and its
invited to contribute to this valuable service spent in New South Wales. Reading them people’ in a ‘coffee table book’.The common
to members in the News and through possible together gives some insight into the changing theme from the diverse interviews is that
deposit in the library. Some items may later roles of governors.They also remind us of the their town is their home. This message is
be reviewed in the Journal. continuing power that governors can wield. conveyed in the stunning recent photographs
taken by Glenys Rickard as well as the rich
Bill Billett, Mont St Quentin, Rachel Cook, Closets Are For Clothes, images from the past. The result is much
A S o l d i e r ’s B a t t l e , R o s e n b e r g , A History of Queer Australia, Black more than a ‘coffee table book’. While it does
S y d n e y, 2 0 0 9 , p p. 1 8 4 , $ 3 2 . 9 5 Dog, Melbourne, 2010, pp. 147, $18.99 not substitute for the sustained analytical
The publishing of military histories continues Written specifically for teenagers, the book narrative, it may well be attractive as a model
to be a thriving enterprise. Ninety years ago, comprises excerpts of gay and lesbian history, for publication about other local areas.
the battle of Mont St Quentin and Peronne a history of repression and change. Part of The
Drum Series, it features fictionalised first- Linda Meadows and Dorothy Meadows
resulted in an Australian victory and a further
person accounts, often drawn from people (eds), Women of Chelsea and District,
breaking of the stalemate on the Western
‘who actually existed’ and played a part in Chelsea and District Historical Society
Front. Carried out by brigades of the 2nd and
queer history. These are clearly identified as I n c. , P O B ox 3 7 7 , C h e l s e a , 3 1 9 6
5th Divisions under the ultimate command Produced by a committee of women, the
of Monash, this battle is not as well-known such. Contributes to our understandings of
the diversity of Australian society. book presents interesting stories from the
as Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel but Billett lives of 29 women over more than a century.
thinks it should be and his meticulous John Currey (ed.), Matthew Flinders, Its immediate usefulness is limited by the
account shows its importance and relative The Investigator in Port Phillip, fact that there is no index and no editorial
oversight. T h e B a n k s S o c i e t y, 2 1 C r e s s y overview of the content. Assisted by the City
Hugh Carroll, Mallee Roots to Vanilla S t , M a l ve r n , 3 1 4 4 , 2 0 0 9 , p p. 9 9 of Kingston, there is also no ISBN.
Slices, Ouyen – One Hundred Years, Another elegantly produced booklet taken
Melton & District Historical Society, PO
Mallee Printers, Sea Lake, 2009, pp. from Flinders’ A Voyage to Terra Australis,
Box 58, Melton, 3337 have produced the six
235, $40 + $10 post Available from published in 1814, and dealing with Flinders’
attractive booklets on identities, places, and
Ouyen District History & Genealogy time in Port Phillip in April 1802 when he reminiscences; $12 for the set.The society has
Centre, PO Box 131, Ouyen, 3490. climbed Arthurs Seat, landed at Mornington, also produced a CD-ROM entitled Melton
Ouyen is well-served by this historical then Indented Head, crossed Corio Bay, Yesterday & Today, $15 + $3.50 post.
narrative that clearly places local history climbed theYou-Yangs and inspected the area
on the western side of the entrance. The Corner Shops of Ballarat, A History
gleaned from rich newspaper, oral and visual
and Directory, National Trust of Australia
sources into wider contexts of an outside Penelope Hetherington, Paupers, Poor (Victoria) Ballarat Branch, c/- 301 Clissold
world. Ouyen has its distinctive features but Relief and Poor Houses in Western St, Ballarat, 3350, 2009, pp. xvi + 86
its history is always bound up with the outside Australia,1829 to 1910, University ofWestern Funded by the Holsworth Trust, this is an
world, not least because of the importance of Australia Press, Perth, 2009, pp. xiv + 202 attractive book that charts the sites and
wheat. This must be an instructive read for A substantial contribution to Australia’s proprietors of corner shops. Well-researched
those with Ouyen connections. Additionally, welfare history set against the often distinctive and illustrated but regrettably, without an
it is an important contribution to broader history of Western Australia. ISBN number and containing a ‘forward’!
understandings about the Mallee’s history,
largely neglected by regional studies. Bronwen Hinz, Many Hopes, One Dream, M.J. Nolan, The Enterprising Life of Dr
The Story of the Ethnic Communities Henry Backhaus, Bendigo Pioneer, M.J.
Michael Cathcart, The Water Dreamers, Council of Victoria, Australian Scholarly Nolan, Bendigo, 2008, pp. 136, $25. Available
The Remarkable Histor y Of Our Publishing, Melbourne, 2009, pp. xviii + 215 from Central Catholic Bookshop, Melbourne.
D r y C o n t i n e n t, Te x t P u b l i s h i n g , An important scholarly account of nearly As the author notes, Backhaus ‘was one of
Melbour ne, 2009, pp. 327, $34.95 40 years of advocacy and support for ethnic the most unusual’ Catholic priests in 19th
This may well be one of those books that is groups in Victoria set within changing local century Australia, with not only considerable
widely read and that has a continuing impact and world environments and sometimes beset interest in civic affairs but also in investment.
on the ways we see ourselves and our land. with political debate. His notable success in the latter enabled the
Cathcart focuses on the ways in which white building of Bendigo’s massive cathedral.
settlers struggled with the lack of rainfall in so Noel Jackling, Dancing to Damnation?,
Harold Wood and John Woodhouse in Nolan presents a documented study of this
much of Australia. Not only did their contact man of many parts and helps to dispel the
with Aboriginal peoples trigger a ‘battle for the fight to lift the ban on dancing on
Methodist Church property, Uniting many myths about the man and his very
land’ but ‘also a battle for water’ (p.6). In valuable estate. An interesting book of
the process, explorers, settlers, novelists, Church Historical Society, PO Box 698,
significance not only in Bendigo.
poets, politicians and engineers have ‘dreamt’ Elsternwick, 3185, 2009, pp. ix + 179, $20
Kevin O’Reilly, In Just Five Years, The
As the long title suggests, the author examines
about solutions to the continent’s dryness.
RAAF & Nhill in World War II, 1941-
the changes in attitudes to dancing in the
This is both an environmental and a cultural
1946, K. O’Reilly, 12 Kimber Court,
Methodist Church and its adherents, and
history of Australia that examines many of
Dingley Village, 3172, 2009, pp. 208
the parts played by two leading figures –
these ‘dreams’. In 21st century Australia it is
In the author’s words, ‘a collection of
Harold Wood, Principal of Methodist Ladies’
both a book for its time and for a long time articles, documents, reminiscences and
after that. College, and John Woodhouse, influential
photographs’ that describe the substantial
layman – in the eventual lifting of the ban on
David Clune and Ken Turner (eds), and important presence of both a navigation
dancing on Methodist property in 1954. He
The Gover nors of New South and later, an air armament and gas school
relates the debate to social changes in 20th
Wales, 1788-2010, Federation Press, for the RAAF during World War II. The
century Melbourne in an enlightening text.
Sydney, 2009, pp. xxii + 666, $59.95 collected evidence is wide-ranging and
Published as part of the commemoration Anne McClelland, My Blood’s Country: includes much detail of interaction between
the Spirit of Birchip, Birchip Business
of responsible government in New South zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/ the training base and the town where the
Wales, this book contains short biographies and Lear ning Centre, 77 Cumming author was growing up.
Avenue, Birchip, 3483, 2009, pp. 160
4

5. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
REPORT
An inspiring and rewarding tour
RHSV Executive Officer Kate Prinsley reports on her recent six week
Churchill fellowship in the UK and US.
T hree days back in my freezing cold to find out more about
office at the RHSV and my mind the County Historian
is wondering off to the ‘knee high by Program which is so
4th July’ corn fields of Indiana, the fast effective in Indiana and
talking ‘corrrfee’ drinking New Yorkers, to look at volunteer-
and the erudite English who as rain managed / volunteer-
softly fell on St. Swithen’s day hoped led historical societies.
that this wasn’t the traditional omen for Feeling like a member
the end of the heat wave – with 40 days of the TV show The
of rain to follow. Partridge Family, Jeff
Harris, Director of Local
My six week Churchill Fellowship – History Services, drove
four weeks in the US and two weeks me around Indiana in
in the UK – was to investigate the the local history services
sustainability of local history in the white van visiting
community: in terms of generating societies. Here I learnt the
interest and, more particularly, in expression ‘community
addressing succession planning for buy in’ means more
volunteers. Kate Prinsley stands between a grandfather and
than putting on relevant
grandson - volunteers at the Wabash and Erie Canal
In this short article I can only lightly exhibitions – ‘community
Historical Society in Delphi Indiana
sketch the organizations and people I buy in’ is raising funds
met. The recommendations I would and I was ‘gob smacked’
make – the distillation of my thoughts at the extraordinary sums
– will be the basis of my paper to be raised from the tiniest of towns.
presented at our conference in Bendigo A sad good bye to Indiana and it’s off to
on August 28th - 29th. Washington. There I had meetings with
My research tour began in Nashville federal bodies; the Institute of Museum
with a visit to the American Association and Library Services, the American
of State and Local History (AASLH). Association of Museums and most
What a strange place to find the head worthwhile librarians in the local history
quarters of American local history – room at the Library of Congress. Along
amongst the Civil War and Elvis!!! “Sure, the way I have become increasingly
I know the answer to your problem” fascinated with the complex funding of
said Bob Beatty, Director of Programs, local history and the role in local history
“we have the same issues here and the of organisations such as the Daughters Reading Room
solution is ……”. He proceeded to of the American Revolution (a quick The McLean County Museum of
give me documents, contacts of people visit to their head quarters). History, Bloomington, Illinois.
and workbooks that the AASLH have Then to Troy to visit the Museums
developed – a great and very grateful Association of New York and onto
way to start my project. research into volunteer led community
New York City where I changed the groups. It all seemed perfect in
Two days later and I’m off to Illinois tack of my research to look at dynamic England until my last week when David
to meet Mary Anne Schierman of the local history programmes – a mix of Cameron, the new Prime Minister,
American Association of Museum grass roots and the more established. asked government bodies to plan for up
Volunteers. What an inspiring day it Meetings were held with the Museum to a 40% cut in funding and his ideas
was to see practical and applicable of the City of New York, the Manhattan for the Big Society with the expectation
examples of volunteer recruitment, Borough Historian, the Lower East being placed on volunteers to deliver
management and programmes at the Side History Project, City Lore and the ‘core services’ – how this will impact on
Macleigh County Historical Society American Social History Project. local history is of course yet to unfold.
in Bloomington and the exemplary A quick hop across the pond and I’m
management of volunteers at the I look forward to reporting more fully
in England. I moved to Australia in and in detail about my Churchill
Lincoln Library in Springfield. I finished 1995 and since then there have been
off my Illinois sojourn with an excellent Fellowship and encourage RHSV
enormous changes in arts funding in members to come to the Bendigo
visit to the Chicago Metro History Britain: particularly National Lottery
Centre. Conference – 28th -29th August.
funding with its support of heritage
Next the suitcase is packed again and and the Renaissance program funded
I’m off to Indiana. My visit was hosted through (MLA) Museums Libraries
by the ‘rock stars’ of local history – and Archives. I had time to explore two
the Indiana Historical Society. I had local history services that had benefited
zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/
approached them with two requests; from these schemes and to further my
5

6. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
From the President
Victoria’s Heritage Grants continued
Applications are now open for Victoria’s Heritage Grants for Places and Objects and weekend, and of course we encouraged
Heritage Studies and Advisory Services. them to think about joining the RHSV as
Victoria’s Heritage Grants assists owners and managers of heritage places and members. I am really grateful to all our
objects and local government heritage management in Victoria. volunteers who got the place ready and
who helped out on the two days.
Objects and Places grants funding is available for the repair, documentation and Behind the scenes, hours of planning
interpretation of heritage places and objects. For guidelines and application forms were going into other projects: our hopes
for Places and Objects grant funding, visit: for renewing and revitalising our long
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/web18/dvcgrants.nsf/AllDocs/ term tenancy of A’Beckett Street; our bid
E9DAF62C8BEFBCA257759000F9308 for increased annual funding from Arts
Victoria for the next three years; our joint
Heritage Studies and Advisory Services grant funding is available for local project with the State Library of Victoria
government Heritage Studies and Heritage Advisory Services. For guidelines and to put the Victorian Historical Journal
application forms for Heritage Studies and Advisory Services, visit: on line. Our other co-vice president Dr
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/web18/dvcgrants.nsf/AllDocs/6F40CD8F9789BC39CA Simon Smith, Richard Barnden and all the
25775900126CD5 members of the relevant sub-committees
deserve our thanks.
For 2009/10 local government heritage advisory grant recipients, please also note So – welcome back Kate, and a welcome
that annual report spreadsheets to complete will be emailed to all recipients shortly. to our two new Council members Jane
The Grants Information Line is 1300 366 356. Applicants are also encouraged to Carolan and Jenny Coates, and on with
contact Heritage Victoria (ph: (03) 8644 8800) directly to discuss grant proposals. the show. Check out our What’s On, and
I encourage members to attend next
Tuesday evening’s lecture by Michelle
ENQUIRIES: Summerton who will tell us about the
Victoria’s Heritage Grants for Places and Objects funding program, riches of the RHSV’s wonderful images
contact: collection.
Tony Armstrong on (03) 8644 8893, tony.armstrong@dpcd.vic.gov.au or Andrew Lemon
Megan McDougall on (03) 8644 8902, megan.mcdougall@dpcd.vic.gov.au.
Victoria’s Heritage Grants for Heritage Studies and Advisory Services What a great idea.......
funding program, contact:
It’s that time again, when your
Lisa Rogers on (03) 8644 8937, lisa.rogers@dpcd.vic.gov.au or Geoff Austin letterbox groans under the weight
on (03) 8644 8894, geoff.austin@dpcd.vic.gov.au or Ian Wight on (03) 8644 of election campaign materials, and
8954, ian.wight@dpcd.vic.gov.au. you can’t step near a polling booth
without being showered in paper.
Before you start throwing things in
Applications close Tuesday 24 August 2010.
to the nearest recycling bin, consider
Commemorating Eminent Australians this...
By collecting political brochures,
The second funding round of Commemorating Eminent Australians is now open. election pamphlets,how-to-vote
The Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts are cards and candidate posters, and
calling for applications until Friday 13 August 2010. The Commemorating Eminent donating them to the State Library’s
Australians grants program is designed to provide funding for the recognition of eminent Riley & Ephemera Collection, they
Australians who have made a significant impact on Australia and the world. will illuminate our political history
Eligible projects may include: for generations of researchers!
• The conservation of graves of people of significance to Australia. It’s easy - just pop them in an
• The conservation of monuments, objects, plaques and statues that commemorate envelope and address them to Katie
eminent Australians. Flack, c/o the Australian History
& LiteratureTeam in the Library’s
Please see attached guidelines and application form (also available in Word docs from Access & Information Division.
their website. State Library of Victoria.
http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/programs/cea/index.html We also welcome donations
For more information: relating to social justice campaigns,
environmental campaigns,
Heritage Projects Section
community campaigns etc.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts GPO Box 787
Please include your name and
CANBERRA ACT 2601
contact details if you would like an
Tel: 1800 653 004 (free call) acknowledgment of your donation.
Fax: (02) 6274 2095 http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/our-
Email: heritagegrants@environment.gov.au
zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/ collections/collectors-their-
collections/fred-riley
6

7. zycnzj.com/ www.zycnzj.com
Around the Societies
AROUND THE SOCIETIES COLAC: On Saturday 28 August a General
Meeting with a speaker will be held at the
This column is compiled by Lenore Frost COPACC History Centre, at 1.30 pm.
on behalf of History Victoria Support Group Enquiries: colachistoricalsociety@googlemail.
using information provided by societies either com or phone 5232 1624.
directly or contained in their newsletters.
For the next issue please send details of DAYLESFORD: Glenlyon and Daylesford
forthcoming events by 10 August to lenore10@ will celebrate 150 years since the formation
hotmail.com. of the Glenlyon Roads Board, the foundation
entity of the current Hepburn Shire. The
BAPTIST: Ken Edmonds will g ive Glenlyon Progress Association will hold a
an illustrated talk, “Rembrandt and the weekend of festivities on 22-24 October.
Waterlander Mennonites”, about possible Enquiries: contact Dave Johnson on 5348 7761
Kate Prinsley launches the On-line connections between Rembrandt and the early or email kibo@tpg.com.au.
Guide. Mennonites who influenced Baptist origins.
Meetings are held at the Auburn Baptist DUNOLLY: Goldfields Historical Society
New resource for affiliated Church, 597 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn at 7.30 celebrated its 50 th Anniversary with the
pm. Enquiries: 9729 1752. sealing of a time capsule. It was placed into a
societies CAMBERWELL: Mr Vivian Kenney will
specially constructed steel box and fitted into
the disused fireplace at the Dunolly Museum.
Members of the History Victoria Support address the Society on the subject of “Clocks” There is no-one left from the first meeting
Group, a committee of the RHSV, have on Thursday 23 September in the Meeting held in 1960.
been engaged in a project to update Room of the Hawthorn Town Hall (side
entrance via car park) 360 Burwood Road, ECHUCA: Celebrating their 50th Anniversary,
an earlier RHSV publication: Guide to
Hawthorn, no time given. Enquiries: 9836 on 9 June at the Cargo Shed of the Port of
Managing Historical Societies. While a Echuca Wharf, the society dedicated a plaque
3558.
mere update was originally envisaged, to those persons responsible for the movement
in fact it was realised quite early in the CARISBROOK: The society has opened to save the Wharf, bring back the boats to
process that a major re-write was required, a new Research Centre, formerly the Infant Echuca, and to honour the first President and
as the early edition pre-dated extensive use Welfare Centre next to the Town Hall. There Vice President of the society.
are two Research Rooms – one for the public
of personal computers. The Local History ELTHAM: A heritage walk will be held on
and one for members. Equipment includes
Grants Program assisted with a grant to computers, printers, scanners, film readers, Saturday 4 September, from 2 pm. For details
enable us to provide a copy of the Guide and a Scanpro 2000 to digitise film. contact the society on edhs1@bigpond.com
to all our affiliated societies in CD format. or check the webpage www.tinyurl.com/
C A S T L E M A I N E : P r o f e s s o r Ja n e t elthamdhs.
Recognising that a CD full of links to McCalman will speak about the “Tasmanian
useful information will also become Convicts Project” at the meeting of Monday FITZROY: “My native place: Alfred Deakin in
outdated over time, an online updateable 6 September. Meetings are held at the Former Fitzroy” will be presented by Carole Woods on
version was also planned. The online Courthouse, 7 Goldsmith Cres, Castlemaine at Thursday 26 August at the Reading Room of
7.30 pm. Enquiries 5470 6072 or email chsi@ Fitzroy Library, Napier Street, Fitzroy at 7.30
version was launched at the History
castlemainehistoricalsociety.com. pm. Carole will discuss Deakin’s reflections
Victoria Support Group seminar in on childhood, memory and literature, and
Rutherglen on 29 May by our Executive CHELTENHAM CEMETERY: The next his connections with Fitzroy. Enquiries:
Officer, Kate Prinsley. The CD version tours at the Cheltenham Memorial Park, fitzroyhistorysociety@yahoo.com.
will be posted to affiliated societies a little Wangara Rd, will be “Mostly Murders”. They
will be held on Sunday 12 September at 2 pm FOOTSCRAY: The next meeting will be
later in the year. This will contain useful held at Ercildoone, corner of Napier and
and Sunday 31 October at 11 am. Tours are
information for running your historical Hyde Streets, Footscray, on Sunday 15 August
$10 for non-members, and $5 for members.
society, including pro forma templates, Bookings essential – either online at www.focrc. at 2 pm. To celebrate 150 years at Footscray
advice on roles of office bearers, collection org/tours.htm or ring Vivienne on 5420 7671. Primary School, Stephen Palmer will relate
policies, and so on. memories of his time at the school. Enquiries:
CINEMA & THEATRE: Northern suburbs foothist@bigpond.com.
You can access the online Guide here: cinemas/former cinemas inspection, including
http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/socguide. the former Rivoli, West Preston and Regent INVERLOCH: The restoration of the Rocket
htm . Material is still being progressively theatres will take place on Saturday 21 August. Shed has proceeded, with construction work
loaded onto the website. For further details see the website www.caths. completed except for finials, downpipes and
org.au. barge rolls. These will be completed after the
We are grateful for the assistance of the shed has been relocated, which is expected to
Local History Grants Program to enable be early August. Relevant permits have yet to
us to produce the Guide to Managing be obtained, and the weather is expected to
Historical Societies. have an effect.
zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/
7

8. zycnzj.com/ the Societies
Around www.zycnzj.com
Around the Societies
KANGAROO GROUND: The Andrew at the Ouyen Community Club in the evening. TERANG: The society reports that a number
Ross Museum’s most recent publication, The Numbers are required for booking. For further of hard-working members removed the tin
Christmas Hills story by Mick Woiwod, was details, email history@ouyen.vic.au or phone from their museum roof to remove droppings,
launched at the museum on 1 August. This 5092 1763. dead and live pigeons, eggs, nests, etc from the
is a 275 page illustrated volume. Enquiries: roof space, the iron replaced with Tex screws,
PRAHRAN MECHANICS: The closing
wcleeson@primus.com.au. and wire netting put in place to stop the return
date for the PMI Short History Prize is Friday
of the pigeons. Well done, everyone.
KEILOR: The Society has received a 27 August at 4 pm. Entries up to 15,000
grant from the “Restoring Community War words in length, non-fiction and previously WARRAGUL: The society meets in the Old
Memorials Grants Program 2009-2010” for unpublished are eligible for a $1,000 prize. For Shire Hall, Queen St, Warragul on the last
the Keilor Cenotaph Enhancement Project, entry forms ring 9510 3393 or visit www.pmi. Monday of the month at 7.30pm. Notes from
which aims to display the names recorded on net.au/events.htm#prize. the June guest speaker, Kevin Richardson,
the Honour Rolls in the Old Shire Hall in a on the subject of Brandy Creek are included
PYRAMID HILL: “Trekking with Burke
public place, in the surrounds of the Cenotaph. in the July newsletter. It was the Post Office
and Wills 150 years ago”. A program of events
which changed the name of Brandy Creek to
KOO-WEE-RUP SWAMP: The society was has been prepared to celebrate the 150th
Buln Buln.
successful in a grant application to Cardinia anniversary of Burke & Wills, including walks
Shire Council, which covers half the cost and bus tours from 29 August to 1 September. WARRNAMBOOL: The renovations to
of new security doors and shutters for their Email pyhhist@bigpond.com for details, or History House have been completed and
headquarters at Mallow House. see their website http://www.pyramidhill.net. the collection returned. It is now open
au/index4.html. each weekday afternoon except Friday,
KYNETON: The society will hold a Burke from 1.30 to 4 pm. See the website www.
and Wills trip on Sunday 22 August. Meeting at QUEENSCLIFFE: A bus trip to Ballarat
warrnamboolhistory.org.au.
78 Piper St, Kyneton, at 10.30 sharp, members will be held on Thursday 26 August, leaving
will travel to Lancefield to catch up with others Queenscliff at 9 am and returning by 5 pm. WAVERLEY: A short Annual General
at Macedonia House at 11 am. BYO lunch, Stops will include the Eureka Centre and the Meeting will be held on Sunday 22 August,
drinks, sturdy shoes for walking, gold coin Art Gallery of Ballarat. The bus and tours followed by “A Time to Remember – 1937” -
donation appreciated. Enquiries: kynetonhs@ will cost $40 per person, refreshments at an afternoon at the flicks. Meet at St Philip’s
hotmail.com. own expense. Enquiries: 5258 2511 or email Church, Stephenson’s Rd, Mt Waverley at 2
qhminf77@bigpond.net.au. pm. Please bring a plate to share. Enquiries:
LEONGATHA: The Society will display 9802 9332.
antique items from their collection at the RICHMOND & BURNLEY: The “Yarraberg
Daffodil Festival on 27, 27 and 28 August. History Walk” will be held on Sunday 19
Join their own “Antiques Road Show” – bring September. There will be a morning and an
along items to be valued by Simon Ford of
Inverloch. The cost is a gold coin donation,
afternoon walk. For further details check the
website http://home.vicnet.net.au/~rbhs/ or History
NEWS
and will commence at 1.15 pm. call 9428 6231.
MALMSBURY: Sue Walter has written a RINGWOOD: On Tuesday 24 August
new book called Gold ‘n greens: a history of the Associate Professor John Murphy, from the
Chinese of Malmsbury and District , about initial School of Historical Studies, the Australian
gold seeking and later market gardening of the Centre at Melbourne University will talk about
ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA INC.
Chinese community. This is available for $38 the history of poverty in Australia with emphasis
239 A’BECKETT STREET MELBOURNE 3000
plus $9.50 postage from The Secretary, PO on welfare and social implications. Meet at the
Federation Estate (old Ringwood State School) Phone: 9326 9288
Box 113, Malmsbury 3446.
in Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, Room 4, Fax: 9326 9477
MARYSVILLE: The Society is pleased to
at 8pm. website: http://www.historyvictoria.org.au
report that they have been able to purchase a
ROMSEY & LANCEFIELD: The Autumn email: office@historyvictoria.org.au
house which survived the bushfire to be their
new headquarters. They took possession in 2010 edition of the Romsey & Lancefield Record ABN 36 520 675 471
mid-June. The new address will be 39 Darwin carries a tribute to their member, the late Registration No. A2529
Street, Marysville. They do not expect to be Helen Broad. Helen was also a member of the Office Hours: Monday to Friday
able to open until sometime next year.We wish Mornington Historical Society, and a loved 9am to 5pm
them luck in their new home. and respected member of the Royal Historical Library Hours: Monday to Friday
Society of Victoria.
MILITARY – VIC: On Thursday 26 August 10am to 4pm
Will Davies, author of Beneath Hill 60, will SHEPPARTON: The Society has a wonderful ESTABLISHED 1909
speak about his research. Meetings are new website: see www.heritageshepparton. President Prof Bill Russell
held at the Oakleigh RSL, Drummond com.au. On this website you can read about the Executive Officer Kate Prinsley
St, Oakleigh, starting at 8.15 pm. Visitors 150th Anniversary of Shepparton and the book Administrative Officer Gerardine Horgan
welcome. Enquiries: 9749 5829 or email the society is about to publish in celebration. Local History Officer Vicki Court
stephencgray@hotmail.com. ST KILDA CEMETERY: The Friends’ Volunteer Co-ordinator Christine Cooze
MORWELL: On 6 June, in a combined forthcoming tour through the cemetery is
project of the Historical Society, the Morwell “Booksellers, Authors & Literati”, Sunday Design and Artwork: John Gillespie 0419 135 332
Rotary Club and the Latrobe Council, a 22 August, 2.00 pm. Tour leader: Elizabeth
Printed by: Igroup 9552 8000
Bills Horse Trough was moved to its original Hore. Meet at Dandenong Road entrance,
location on the median strip of Hazelwood Rd Melways Ref 58 F9. Cost: $10.00 including
and Commercial Road intersection. It has been refreshments (members of FOSKC free).
restored now serves as a pioneer memorial. Bookings essential, contact 9531 6832 or 0422
379 053.
NEWSTEAD: The annual get-together of
members and friends will be held on Saturday TALBOT: In February this year the Society The RHSV acknowledges the support of the Victorian
21 August at 6.30 pm at the Courthouse. Bring launched a new book – the Diary of Bandsman Government through Arts Victoria
H E Krutli, D Company, 14th Battalion, 4th
a plate of food to share and a drink if you wish.
Infantry Brigade, Australian Imperial Forces Items for publication should be sent to the
Tea and coffee will be available and the open Executive Officer, RHSV
fire will be burning. Enquiries: 5476 2006. (AOF), September 1914 to April 1916. The book email: office@historyvictoria.org.au
costs $20, and can be obtained by emailing Copy closes 10th of the month
OUYEN: On Friday 3 September, the day
talbotmuseum@hotmail.com or phone 5461
of the Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph, zycnzj.com/http://www.zycnzj.com/ PRINT POST APPROVED PP336663/00011
3340.
the society invites you to join them for a meal ISSN 1326-2696
8