A History of LGBTIQ Victoria

The Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives (ALGA), in partnership with Heritage Victoria and the Equality Branch, Department of Premier and Cabinet is undertaking a study of LGBTIQ heritage across Victoria.

They are looking to find places and objects of historical significance to Victoria's  LGBTIQ community.

If you’d like to contribute, go to: engage.vic.gov.au by 28 February 2020.

New History Group in Airport West

Last year a new local history group specifically focused on the local history of Airport West launched. They will be meeting regularly at the Bowes Avenue Community Centre, as well as sharing a newsletter with members.

Get involved by attending the next meeting: Tuesday 4^th February at 1.45pm, at Bowes Avenue Community Centre, 27-32 Bowes Avenue Airport West.

For more information contact the group via email to: oneonone79@gmail.com

Photo of Westfield Airport West, 1977

(https://twitter.com/oldshopsoz/status/1054680262137663493, originally posted by Westfield Airport West on Facebook)

Moonee Ponds Court House Museum - open this weekend!

Moonee Ponds Court House Museum has been beautifully repaired and renovated after the devastating fire of mid 2016.


If you want to take a sticky-beak, this weekend, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January 2020 is your chance as the Court House will be open to the public. Come and see how the 1890 building has been restored, view the History Reclaimed exhibition which tells the story of the courthouse building and other local buildings which have been reclaimed, and find out about the Essendon Historical Society.


Moonee Ponds Court House Musuem is at the corner of Mount Alexander Road and Kellaway Avenue (opposite Queen's Park) in Moonee Ponds.


For more information, see the Essendon Historical Society website: https://esshissoc.org.au/the-courthouse-opens/

We Believe in the Value of History!

The price of history is immeasurable. It is something that we value, and hope that you do too.

With History Week approaching (October 13th-20th), now is a perfect time to consider how much value history has to our sense of belonging, communities and shared future.

A statement about The Value of History has been adopted jointly by four Australian History Councils- New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

This statement is a basic outline of what is appreciated from the past. There are many aspects that our history has shaped for contemporary society, and it’s so important to recognise those and consider them. These aspects include, but not limited to: identity, community, economic development, critical skills, leadership and legacy. Have a read of the statement if you wish to see a more in-depth look at how studying the past is influential and – arguably – crucial for the present and the future.

Now you can endorse the statement! These four History Councils have put out a Call to Action – encouraging individuals and organisations who believe in the value of history to endorse, share and use the statement. You can visit the History Council of Victoria’s website for more information on this statement, and all the other wonderful work that they do.

Happy History Week to you all!

https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/value_of_history

Happy Family History Month, Moonee Valley

To celebrate Family History Month this August, we're having a guest speaker, Jane Davies, who will speak about the pros and cons of DNA testing at Sam Merrifield Library on Tuesday 27th August.

We'll also have a session on researching Family History Online at Avondale Heights library on August 21.

Both events are free, but bookings are essential. Book here.

In other family history news, Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria are offering discounted ($20) uncertified historical certificates for the month of August. Find them online here.

And in excellent news for anyone with Irish Catholic heritage, the National Library of Ireland have made 400,000 parish records freely available online, covering the period from the 1740s-1880s. See: https://registers.nli.ie/

Happy family history researching this August all.