Last month I did a blog post relating to news from regional South Australian groups. I have now expanded this theme to cover any group, society, museum, archive throughout Australia. Some of the following news articles have been submitted to us to make mention of, the others we have found from websites, newspapers and other articles.

We love promoting genealogy and history throughout Australia and the smaller groups are just as important as the big state societies. So if you have news, events, or need help, or have a request please advise, we’d love to hear.

NEW SOUTH WALES
Broken Hill History – Facebook Page
There is a Facebook page which has just started up for those wanting to find out and share information about Broken Hill, particularly relating to the 1920s-1950s era.

Port Macquarie and Districts Family History Society – Port Macquarie
The Port Macquarie and Districts Family History Society have been busy compiling  the “Port Macquarie-Hastings Pioneer Register 1821-1900”, a new book due to be released soon. This will be available direct from the Society only, and they currently have a special offer of $25.00 per book (+ postage) for orders received before 31st May 2010 (the price will normally be $30.00). To place your order, click here to print the pre-order form, and post the completed form to the Secretary with payment. The Society does have a website you can visit for more information.

QUEENSLAND
Central Queensland History – Wiki
The Central Queensland History Website has now become a Wiki, this means the site will be user editable (very soon). So if you’ve got an interest in the history (people, places, business, and events relating to the Central Queensland area) keep an eye on this one.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group – Salisbury
News from the Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group is that they continue to grow. Their Legacy User Group is an active part of their group, and their “Adelaide Family Tree Maker User Group” has just had its first official meeting this month, which appears that it will be as successful as the Legacy User Group has been. As part of their continued growth, they now have acquired their own Domain Name:  andfhg.org.
If you wish to find out more about the Adelaide Northern Districts Family History Group, check out their website.

Golden Grove Uniting Church Golden Grove
Do you have any family links with the settlement of Golden Grove? Discover the part that the early Scots played in settlement here from 1846. As part of SA History Week, the Golden Grove Uniting Church will have a display on Wednesday 26th May, that showcases the spiritual, educational, working and social lives of the pioneer families. Entry is free, and light refreshments are provided. Open from 10.00am-4.00pm.

Kensington and Norwood Historical Society – Norwood
2010 is the Kensington and Norwood Historical Society’s 31st year, and to commemorate  has published a book containing a walking trail map and information about the plaques the Society has installed, which celebrate significant people and places in Norwood, Kensington, Kent Town and Marryatville. The book ‘Now and Then’ is available direct from the Society.

VICTORIA
Cornish Association of Bendigo and District – Bendigo
The Cornish Association of Bendigo and District is now on Facebook.
And if you wish to check out the Society’s website, you can find them here.

Hopetoun Cemetery Preservation Group – Bacchus Marsh
The Hopetown Cemetery Preservation Group is looking for photographs and information about the St Laurence O’Toole Chapel building also used as the Hopetown Denominational School, situated at the base of Anthony’s Cutting, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. If you can help out contact the: Hopetown Cemetery Preservation Group, PO Box 175, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria 3340 (email: bammlove@westconnect.com.au)

Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society – Port Melbourne
We’re 150 years old … 2010 marks 150 years since Sandridge (later Port Melbourne) achieved local government. So keep an eye out for an exhibition at Port Melbourne Town Hall around the middle of the year. Their website has more information.

Prahran Mechanic’s Institute – Prahran
Short History Prize
In keeping with the Prahran Mechanic Institute’s objective to encourage and facilitate historical research, we invite you to participate in our Short History Prize 2010.

Entries are to: be non-fiction, be up to 15,000 words, cover the history of a place or aspect of a place in Victoria (Australia), and to be written by a member or members of a Victorian historical society or similar organisation.

The prize is: $1,000 (being $500 for the author/s and $500 for the associated historical group), and the closing date: 4pm Friday 27 August 2010 and winner announced Monday 25 October 2010

For further details and an entry form, all enquiries to be directed to Tim at library@pmi.net.au or (03) 9510 3393

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Heritage Listing for Soldiers’ Park – Collie
It has recently bee reported that Soldiers’ Park in Collie, which has been central to ANZAC Day celebrations since 1921, will now be permanently listed on the State Register of Heritage Places. To read the full article click here.

Margaret River and Districts Historical Society – Margaret River
The Margaret River and Districts Historical Society’s website reports that the Society has begun the digitisation and preservation of their collection of photographs and documents. However “progress has been less speedy than we would have wished owing to time constraints on our members and the single computer available to us, but we hope to have the initial collection uploaded to the Mosaic system within two years, and protected and archived in approved materials at about the same time. Of course we welcome new additions to our collection and these will be included after the original collection is dealt with. When the collection is securely uploaded, it will hopefully be viewable in a public domain.” If you wish to contact the, their details are on their website.