It has been quite a while since my last Australian History News posts. But while it was never ‘dead and buried’, this series has been on the backburner for a while. Now I’ve decided to resurrect it, as I enjoy finding out bits & pieces of genealogy and history news, and passing it on to you.

In this one we have details of a free book on one of Queensland’s pioneers, a new FTM User Group, more funding for one of Australia’s top convict sites, a new project for another group, and more societies join social media.

The Australian History News contains news from any group, society, museum, or archive office throughout Australia. Some of the following news has been submitted to me, 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, and have news, events, need donations, have a special project, or just have a request please advise, I’d love to hear about it and help you out.

NEW SOUTH WALES
Armidale – Queens Honours Award Recipient
The President of the Armidale and District Historical Society, Mrs Judith Grieve, has received an OAM for her work preserving the history of the New England. You can read the fill list of recipients from the New England region online in the ABC website

Ku-ring-gai – The Ku-ring-gai Historical Society has joined Social Media
The Ku-ring-gai Historical Society have launched recently launched its blog, http://kuringgaihs.blogspot.com, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kuringgaihs. Be sure to follow them the keep up with the latest news from this group.

Sydney – Sydney TMG User Group is now on Twitter
The Sydney TMG (The Master Genealogist) User Group has always been an active one, and now you can follow them on Twitter to keep up with the latest news and happenings. You can find them at @TMGSydney

QUEENSLAND
Coorparoo – GSQs Annual Seminar is on

The Annual Genealogical Society Queensland Seminar is being held on Saturday 25 August, 2012 at the Queen Alexandra Community Centre at Coorparoo, Qld. The address is 347 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo. With the topics: Across the Seas they came: 19th and early 20th century immigrants and their contribution to the Nation, and five guest speakers, including Dr.Perry McIntyre, who is speaking on the Female Immigrants of the 19th century. Registration is from 8:30am, and presentations 9:00am – 3:30pm.
Cost: (inc morning tea and lunch) $50 for GSQ members, $60 for non-members.  For further info & booking contact GSQ: Ph: (07) 3891 5085, email: gsq1@optusnet.com.au, website: www.gsq.org.au

Queensland – New Book on a German Emigrant to Queensland
Armed hold-ups at Curra Station, near-death experiences at Harvey Siding and pioneering life in Wide Bay in the early 1900s. It’s all in The Life of a Queensland Settler, the memoirs of German immigrant Konrad Nahrung. Now, Konrad’s great-great-grandson Jason has further organised, annotated and indexed Konrad’s account of life as a Queensland pioneer. You can read more about it in the Gympie Times. The book is available through Lulu as a free download, as a cost only printed book.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Berri – New DVD on Berri’s History is now Available
2011 was the Centenary of Berri, a town in South Australia’s Riverland region. The Berri Barmera Council has a history DVD as part of the celebrations. Photographs, old footage and snippets of oral histories have been professionally put together to create wonderful viewing lasting almost one hour and bringing the history of Berri to life. Copies are available for $15.00 each from Berri Library and Information Centre. Please call into the Berri or Barmera Library, the Berri Visitor Information Centre or the Berri Barmera Council Office to purchase your copy. Alternatively send payment to the Berri Library or make your purchase through the centenary website at www.berricentenary.com.au ($5.00 p&h)

Dublin – Dublin History Group Releases New Book
The Dublin History Group released a new book during South Australia’s About Time History Festival, titled “Memories of School”. Containing approximately 90 stories, these are written by people who attended the schools in the area. You can find details of this and their other title on the Group’s website. This book costs $30+ postage.

Fleurieu Peninsula – Request for Information on Pioneers
Do you have family who lived on the Fleurieu Peninsula between 1836 and 1900? Would you like to submit some family history details to the Fleurieu Peninsula Family History Group for their PIONEER REGISTER? They have commenced acquiring information on early families in the district and look forward to receiving details from any source possible. Contact the Group if you’d can help out.
Thanks to Ros on the  South Australia Genealogy Facebook page for this info.

Para Hills – New Contact Details for South Australian TMG User Group
Colin Daniel is the new contact for the South Australian TMG User Group.
If you need to get in touch with Colin, you can phone hi on (08) 8285 3929, or email coldan@internode.on.net. Colin is the convenor of both the day and evening meetings.
– The Group has general formal meeting every 3rd Mon evening of the month, 7.30pm at The Paddocks Centre corner of Kesters and Bridge Roads, Para Hills
– and Casual Q&A sessions every Wed 1.00pm-2.30pm – general computer, and computer software also covered – during School terms only

Stirling – New Family Tree Maker User Group in the Adelaide Hills
There is now a Family Tree Maker User Group which is an offshoot of the Hills Group of the University of the Third Age. They meet in the Conference Room at Stirling Library, on a Tuesday once a month from 10am-12.30pm, the dates for the rest of the year at Sept 11, Oct 16 and Nov 13. If you have any queries, please contact Michael Smith, who is the convenor of this group.

TASMANIA
Hobart – Convict Female Factory receives Funding

Good news for the Cascades Female Factory, which is a World Heritage-listed Site in South Hobart, as the Gillard Government has announced that they will provide $374,000 in funding to improve visitor experiences at important historic tourist attraction. “The Cascades Female Factory played an important role in Australia’s history and the Gillard Government will ensure it is able to continue telling that story.” You can read the full Press Release online.