VIC Beginning Writing Family History
Starting 12 November Even family has a story — or in our experience, more than one story! Have you thought of putting yours to paper? This three-week course, taught on three consecutive Tuesdays, will arm you with the basic writing skills to get you started, look at the writing process, especially drafting and editing, and equip you with the skills to document your historical writing. Attendees will have the opportunity to write during each class. The cost is $48 for GSV members, $96 for non members. Book inquiries@slv.vic.gov.au
Bomber Command Panel Discussion
3 December Military History and Heritage Victoria will host this special panel discussion on the experiences of Bomber Command members during World War II. More than 10,000 Australians served with the RAF Bomber Command, making an important contribution to the aerial campaign. The Shrine of Remembrance Chairman, Air ViceMarshal Chris Spence AO, will chair these two hours of insightful discussion on the Bomber Command’s service. Entry is free, though gold coin donations are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. Visit www.mhhv.org.au
Background A Lancaster aeroplane belonging to the RAAF squadron in Bomber Command, prior to taking off on a raid on Berlin. Courtesy State Library of Victoria, ID H98.100/4249.
Lost Diggers
11 December Join investigative journalist and Inside History contributor Ross Coulthart for an enthralling presentation on the Lost Diggers of WWI whose photographs he famously unearthed in an unlikely French farmhouse attic in 2011. His best-selling book, The Lost Diggers, displayed hundreds of glass plate photographic negatives of Anzac soldiers. This talk will recount the stories of some soldiers behind the photographs, and how they came to be traced after his momentous discovery. Held at the Shrine of Remembrance, this is a free event though gold coin donation is welcome. Visit www.mhhv.org.au
Researching Regional Records
16 December The regional collection of Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) is every bit as diverse and fascinating as its urban holdings. Learn which regional records are held by PROV and where, particularly the PROV records housed at major regional collections such as Geelong Heritage Centre, Bendigo Regional Archives Centre and Ballarat Archives Centre. You’ll also learn more about how archives work, from the processes of record-keeping through to Places of Deposits, at this free one-hour talk at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne. Register www.prov.vic.gov.au
SA Windjammers: The Last Grain Races
Until 30 November Revisit the last days of commercial sail in Australia in this SA Maritime Museum exhibition, which explores the heady adventures on board the voyage from South Australian wheat ports to Europe. British punters took bets on which ship would reach European shores first, coining the ‘Grain Races’ expression. Stunning publicity photographs taken aboard the Pamir before its departure from Port Victoria in 1949 (which can be viewed on the Museum’s flickr page here: http://bit.ly/154pcq8) are the centrepiece of this exhibition, which evokes the thrill-seeking spirit of the final Grain Race. Visit www.maritime.historysa.com.au
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| www.insidehistory.com.au
Kelly Family 175th Anniversary Reunion
30 November Gumeracha Town Hall will play host to the Kelly family reunion this month. This year marks the 175th anniversary of William and Jane Kelly’s arrival in South Australia on 1 December 1838. These Kellys came from the Isle of Man — not Ireland as did Ned Kelly’s family! — and came to settle in Cudlee Creek. The home William built was named Sulby Glen after Sulby in the Isle of Man. A facsimile of the book on the family, The William Kelly Clein, originally published in 1939, will be available at the reunion, as will memorabilia, photos, and updated family trees. Call Alan Phillips on 08 8189 1043