November 15 - 21, 2023
Honouring Ian Jones
◆ HISTORY CONNECTED: Some of the local Beechworthians taking part in this year’s Ian Jones memorial event Sandra Williams (left), Frank Prem, Luke Brock, Kate Sutherland, Heidi Freeman and Stephen Morris. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley.
A CLOSE friendship kindled through a mutual interest in Australian Light Horse history has led to an ongoing Ian Jones memorial tribute on a shire-wide basis by the Friends of the Burke Museum in Beechworth. Friends of the Burke Museum’s John Baines, who is project manager for the event, is a retired Royal Australian Armoured Corps major and historian who joined the voluntary fundraising group several years ago. “I became aware of Ian Jones’ (1931–2018) great love for Beechworth and his support of the Burke Museum, and Ian had written a number of books about the Light Horses,” he said. Well-known and highly regarded, Mr Jones had made a sig-
By CORAL COOKSLEY nificant contribution to the Australian identity throughout his career in journalism, film, television and recording of Australian history, and was recognised as a leading authority on the Ned Kelly story as well for his historical research. “I was the historian for the Royal Australian Army and with my connection to the community organisation I came to appreciate the philanthropic work that Ian was doing in supporting the museum,” he said. “Ian did a lot of research on Beechworth’s historical aspects
and the event continues the spirit of what his approach had been with his interest in the town and museum.” The Friends of the Burke Museum is a community organisation to help the museum with its work and launched last year’s first-time successful event to honour Mr Jones who lived his later years in Beechworth and supported the Burke Museum. The event wrapped around an Australian Identity program with renowned commentator and author Peter Fitzsimons - who dedicated his own book on the infamous Ned Kelly to Mr Jones - as the headline guest speaker.
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YOUR HEALTH
VET CORNER
TOOL TALK
GONE NE FISHING HING
with SOPHIE
with RSPCA
with MICHAEL
with ROB
Caring for future generations Join us for a special ‘Caring for Future Generations’ event and the BankWAW AGM. When: Wednesday 15 November 2023 Where: Quality Hotel Gateway in Wangaratta Visit www.bankwaw.com.au/Landing/Caring-for-Future-Generations to register and find out more.
bankwaw.com.au