General News
23 May, 2024
Seminar hosted to explore south west history
THE Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) was in Mortlake to conduct a seminar over the weekend.
The Mortlake and District Historical Society (MDHS) hosted the event which was held in the Returned and Services League Hall.
MDHS member Robert McLaren said attendees for the seminar had travelled from across the state, coming from as far as Nhill in the west and Marysville and Melbourne to the east.
“To cater for those who travelled on Saturday, activities were arranged,” he said.
“The MDHS Heritage Centre, The Ark, was opened to the public across the afternoon.
“A Bluestone Walking tour of Church Hill buildings, the original Museum, old Post Office, churches and other buildings was held before a large number of people in the late afternoon that was led by MDHS members Craige Proctor and myself.
“Saturday was finished with an evening meal at Mac’s Hotel and a presentation by Dr Peter Yule, who entertained the diners with stories about his research in the south west of Victoria over many years.”
Mr McLaren said the RHSV Seminar on the Sunday featured five speakers and a forum which covered a breadth of topics.
“Emeritus Professor Richard Broome presented on Aboriginal Tent Boxers which focussed on south west Victoria,” he said.
“Dr Rosalie Triolo on younger people as the future historians and how to engage with the broader community.
“Helen Laffin, archivist, presented on digitisation of a society's collection; Paul Fearon spoke on leadership of any group and the management of people.
“The RHSV's Rosemary Cameron gave advice to societies on aspects of collection management.”
Mr McLaren was among the speakers, engaging the audience on the fascinating story behind his latest book, The Reverend Kay of Wickliffe, which took all the attendees on a journey around the world in the nineteenth century.
“Members of MDHS together with the wider Mortlake community were pivotal to the success of the weekend,” he said.
“All those in attendance at the seminar were full of praise for the venue, catering, and the care and kindness offered to all the visitors by Mortlake across the weekend.”