I’m sorry to say that it has been a few month’s since my last ‘Australian History News’ update … and that’s not for the lack of news, but rather just time to keep up with it all. However I have resolved to do better, and promise to bring you more Australian History and Genealogy News thoughout this year. 🙂

Following the the same type of format as last years posts, here is the latest collection of news from Australian genealogy, history and heritage groups. I have no doubt there is far more news around, but this is what has made its way to me to be added here. So if you are involved with any history or genealogy group, society, archives, or museum, or even just a special project and have news, events, in need of help or donations, or just have a request please advise, we’d love to hear and help out.

This covers news from any group, society, museum, or archive office throughout Australia. Some of the following news articles have been submitted to us, while others have been found from websites, newspapers and other articles.

New South Wales
Long Swamp  – Reunion and Book Launch
On Sunday 3rd April a reunion will be held at Long Swamp Cemetery, 377 Old Trunk Road, Trunkey Creek for descendants of those buried in the cemetery. This cemetery is located approximately 46km from Bathurst. On the day, there will be a book launch for ‘The Long Swamp Dust’ which is is a history of Long Swamp and includes stories of families buried in Long Swamp Cemetery as well as photos, maps and family histories. If you are interested in attending this event or in purchasing the book contact Marie Nightingale at errolandmarie@harboursat.com.au, phone (02) 6368 8739 or mail Bucks Creek, 4111 Trunkey Road, Trunkey Creek 2795. The book is $50 ($55 if posted).

Orange – Orange Family History Group relaunch CD
The Orange Family History Group has just relaunched their Canobolas Gardens Crematorium Inscriptions CD. Containing the inscriptions on plaques in this cemetery, they have been divided into locations and identified as much as possible by plaque numbers.  You can buy this CD, and other publications direct from the Orange Family History Group.  And if you wish to keep up with the very latest news from the Orange Family History Group, you can follow their blog.

Queensland
Brisbane – Colonial Forces Study Group (Qld) Release a New Book
The Colonial Forces Study Group (Qld) has recently released its flagship publication, ‘A Most Promising Corps’: Citizen Soldiers in Colonial Queensland 1860–1903. This 300 page book tells the stories of Queensland’s colonial military, ranging from the establishment of the first volunteer force at Brisbane’s police station in February 1860 through military units formed in more than forty towns across Queensland. For more description about this title click here. The book costs $35.00 +$10.00 p&p, and can be ordered from CFSG(Q), GPO Box 1226, Brisbane, Qld 4001. www.qldcolonialforces.org.

 

 

South Australia
Halbury – New book released
The small town of Halbury is a former railway town in South Australia, west of the Clare Valley, halfway between Balaklava and Auburn. Ivan Winter who was born and raised in Halbury, has written a novel (‘Those Were the Days: My life in South Australia 1943-1970’), detailing his young life in the tiny town. You can read the full story in the ‘Plains Producer’ newspaper.

Port Pirie – Port Pirie Hospital
Information from past and present staff is wanted to assist with the compiling of the history of the Port Pirie Hospital, which is being compiled for the Port Pirie Past Nurses Association. If you can provide any information please contact: Maureen Tanner, 3 Lincoln Crescent, Pooraka, SA, or email maudon03@gmail.com.

Semaphore – Historical Walk
April 14-20 is Australian Heritage Week, and as part of the celebrations, Graham Jaunay (professional genealogist and well-known speaker) will be leading a heritage walk around Semaphore entitled ‘Semaphore Shops and Esplanade Historical Walk’ on behalf of The Friends of SA Archives on Sunday 17 April. If you are interested in attending the cost is $15 per person, and must be paid 10 April. You are asked to meet at the Semaphore Jetty at 1.45pm, with the walk starting at 2.00pm. For more information contact: The Friends of SA Archives, 5 Windana Mews, Glandore, SA 5037, phone (08) 8371 4465, or email proformat@jaunay.com.

Stockwell – Stockwell Hall 100 Year Anniversary
Stockwell Hall will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. If you have any history or photographs or the hall or town, they would be greatly appreciated. Contact: wendy.beiseigel@hotmail.com or 0418 804 534.

Sturt – Sturt Football Players Biographies Needed
John Lysikatos, who wrote the Sturt Football Club history book, “True Blue” is now gathering information to write a book profiling each and every Sturt player over the years. If you have or had a Sturt football player in your family, or know someone who has, you can contact John through the South East Family History Group member Jann jannwalker@tadaust.org.au.

Wisanger – Wisanger Football Club 100 Year Anniversary
The Wisanger Football Club on Kangaroo Island is celebrating its 100 year anniversary on July 22-24. Visit their website www.wisanger.org.au and join the email list for updates on this special event. If you can help with photographs or memorabilia please email Rob Ellson ellsonrob@gmail.com or phone 0427 231 854.

Victoria
Underbool – Underbool and District’s Centenary
The Underbool and Districts’ Centenary will be celebrated from 30 September – 2 October 2011. Former resident wishing to attend can contact any of the follow people for more information. Howard (03) 5094 6350, Janet (03) 5094 6214 or Merelyn (03) 5094 6395.

Western Australia
Bussleton – Busselton Oral History Group
The Busselton Mail reported that the Busselton Oral History Group officially handed over the recently completed CD collection of interviews to Jan Whitfield who accepted them on behalf of the Busselton and Dunsborough libraries. The handover of the CDs was the culmination of many hundreds of hours of work and was witnesses by local members of Parliament, Busselton community groups, Busselton Oral History members and transcribers and representatives from other oral history groups in the South West also attended. Jan Whitfield expressed her appreciation on receiving the interviews in CD form and they intend to display them in the Audio section of the Library. You can read the full story here.

Miscellaneous – Can You Help?
John Simpson Kirkpatrick (of Simpson and his Donkey fame)
A person has written the following … ‘I am researching the story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick on behalf of the South Shields Local History Group in the UK. South Shields in his birthplace, and Simpson served as a stretcher bearer with the Anzacs at Gallipoli in 1915, where he was known as Simpson: The Man with the Donkey. I’m particularly keen to make contact with the descendants of the officers and men who served with Simpson in thy Medical Corps, 3rd Field Ambulance. If anyone is able to help out with information, please contact Jim Mulholland, South Shields Local History Group, Local Studies Department, Centre Library, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 2PE, United Kingdom. Or email Jim3@blueyonder.co.uk.

Louisa Frances Du Cane’s Birthday Book
A snippet in a recent edition of the ‘Sunday Mail’ newspaper stated the following … ‘I have a birthday book belonging to Louisa Frances Du Cane which lists other members of this family and is dated 1883. If anyone related to this family would like this book I am willing to pass it on to them Please contact Kay on (08) 8266 5696, or gkgreg@optusnet.com.au.