So April came and went, and May is speeding along too. How it got to be this far through the year will ALWAYS remain a mystery.

Well over the last couple of months there has undoubtedly been heaps of news and happenings in the genealogy and history scene in Australia. But I don’t have the whole run down as news for you. So you’ll have to make do with what I have, together with reading up elsewhere.

However here is the latest collection of news from Australian genealogy, history and heritage groups. There is more news around, but this is what has made its way to me to be added here.

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.

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 about it and help you out.

Australia

HMS Challenger – Rephotographing Project
An artist and PhD student in the UK is working on a project to re-photograph the voyage of HMS Challenger, a British ship that visited Australia 1874 as part of its global voyage. They took 500 pictures in their whole journey around the world, and a number of them were taken around Sydney, Melbourne and Cape York . He is seeking volunteers around Australia who would be interested in searching for the locations in the original pictures, and re-photographing them from the same position. For more information contact Gary McLeod, http://www.snschallenger.org http://www.indiegogo.com/SNS-Challenger-1.

Australian Silent Film Accompanists – Register to be Created
Following a number of requests the not for profit group that presents restored classic silent film with live music, have decided in recognition of the significant contributions to film of these individuals to commence a Register of silent film accompanists in Australia initially covering the period 1896 to 1930. Information required includes: name of musician; years active; cinemas and locations if possible; types of instruments; films accompanied; any memorabilia (eg. types of music, cue sheets, photos). Contact info@ozsilentfilmfestival.com.au or PO 3424 Sydney NSW 2001. This index shall be posted to their website www.ozsilentfilmfestival.com.au and updated. Could you spread the word to your supporters and if you can direct them to people and sources that can assist.

Australian Military Medals – Lost Medals Website
While the Lost Medal website is not new, I would like to bring it to people attention as I’m sure many don’t know about it. It is an amazing effort by an individual who has taken it upon himself to retrieve lost military medals, and reunite them with their owner or other family members. Please visit the website http://www.lostmedalsaustralia.com/

New South Wales
Sydney – Dictionary of Sydney website ads new content and blog
The Dictionary of Sydney, www.dictionaryofsydney.org, has released its quarterly update, with a heap of new entries and hundreds of new images, people, organisations and connections. Mark St Leon’s major essay on Circus in Sydney is illustrated from his private collection, including footage of Col Colleano’s famous tight wire somersaults. Click here to view the essays. The Dictionary of Sydney is rebuilt with new material every three months. So keep up with the latest additions to and news about the Dictionary of Sydney at its new blog, Looking Up.

Queensland
Warwick – Warwick Celebrates 150 Years
On May 25, the Warwick community will celebrate its 150th year since being proclaimed a municipality in 1861. The Southern Downs Regional Council, in partnership with local community groups, will gather residents and visitors to celebrate Warwick’s people, places and stories of the past 150 years in a week‐long festival from 22 to 29 May. The celebratory program includes events of an artistic, cultural and community nature ‐ concerts, art exhibitions, museum open days, historical tours, steam train festivities, a re-enactment of the first Council meeting on 25 May 1861, Indigenous storytelling, and street parades. Visit the Warwick 150 website http://www.warwick150.com/ for full details of the events, as well as a history of the area. If you have any stories or photos relating to the area, you can submit them too.

South Australia
Tea Tree Gully – Old Highercombe Hotel Museum
Visitors to the Old Highercombe Hotel Museum, on Perseverance Road in Tea Tree Gully  will warp back in time to the early 1900s during May for South Australia’s History Month. The museum’s 13 rooms will be decked out as a historical homestead with exhibitions on home birth and the growth of the area’s pubs. Open every Sunday in May 2pm-5pm, gold coin donation, bookings required for groups. Phone: (08) 8289 6536 for more information.

Tea Tree Gully Library – Launch of the Tree Tree Gully Aboriginal History Project
History Month also see’s the launch of the Tea Tree Gully Library’s Aboriginal history project. The project has been researching the Kaurna heritage of the area and collecting histories of Aboriginal people from across Australia. The launch which will be held on Friday May 27th from 2.00pm, will feature speeches, displays and locally produced Aboriginal art. The TTG Library is at 571 Montague Road, Tea Tree Gully. The event is free, but bookings are required. Phone (08) 8397 7467.