For thousands of years, Wurundjeri people have lived along the Yarra (or as they know it, Birrarung, the river of mists), especially set in place for their very own use in the Dreaming by their creative beings. Nowadays, the Yarra has lost much of its magic, its indigenous story buried beneath a thin veneer of mainstream living, social infrastructure and privately owned dwellings.Much like a . . . more »

The City of Whittlesea has launched its 2012 Cultural Heritage Program. This popular and successful program of events provides a fantastic opportunity to join together and celebrate our shared and special heritage. Over a period of eight months, it offers events and activities that acknowledge the rich indigenous cultural heritage of the area, the unique natural heritage of the Plenty Valley, and the diverse histories . . . more »

The recent publication of compilations of archives covering the Coranderrk settlement of Healesvile and the indigenous history of the Yarra Valley by local historian and author Mick Woiwod will by launched by Professor Joy Murphy Wandin senior elder of the Kullin alliance in Victoria on Sunday 29th April at 2.00 pm. At Eltham Library Coranderrk Database Many books, articles and film documentaries have appeared over . . . more »

As part of the Plenty Centenary celebrations in 2013, it is proposed to hold a “Back to Plenty and Plenty School Reunion”and the Plenty Historical Society Steering Committee wishes to collect names and addresses, telephone numbers, and if possible, email addresses of former Plenty Residents. Names and addresses should be forwarded to Alan at Email: kerlan@iinet.net.au or the Local and Family History Librarian at localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au . . . more »

Connecting Up is a new free Australia wide online directory launched in January this year. The directory is a resource to help non-profit groups such as local history groups, family history groups and public libraries to connect with each other and with those who might want to interact with them, whether that is to support, collaborate with, fund, research or transact business. Groups can register . . . more »

Lalor’s remarkable history as a housing co-operative has been brought vividly to life by Australian National University academic Moira Scollay in a new book entitled Lalor: The Peter Lalor Home Building Co-operative 1946-2012. Faced with a chronic housing shortage, returned serviceman from the Australian Army Pay Corps set up a building co-operative in 1946 to help young families fulfil their dreams of home ownership. “Returned . . . more »

Join the Eltham District Historical Society for a heritage excursion Saturday March 3rd. Meet at 2.00 pm a tthe Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham. The Eltham Gateway is the name adopted for the section of Main Road Eltham leading from the roundabout at Fitzsimons Lane to the Eltham town centre. The name has its origin in a 1987 planning report for Eltham Shire . . . more »

As Australia remembers the 3rd anniversary of Black Saturday today - Eltham Library will present Kinglake 350 author Adrian Hyland in conversation with Arnold Zable on Tuesday 14 February at 7.00pm Kinglake 350 is a very readable story of what took place in the Kinglake community on Black Saturday through the eyes of local policeman Roger Wood. If you want to know what actually happened . . . more »

There is a reunion being planned for past teachers and students of Heidelberg Girls Secondary School, Heidelberg Girls High School, Waterdale High School in West Heidelberg who attended there between 1957-1982. The reunion commemorates the 30th anniversary of the closure of the school When: Saturday 3rd March 2012 Where: Bundoora Park Time: From about 1pm Details on Facebook reunion page For more information about the . . . more »

The new Australian history magazine is now up to edition 8. The current edition includes a cup of tea with Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s Local and Family History Librarian where she chats about the library’s digitisation program. (Search images via our catalogue). They have also featured a review on our new app – available for android and iphone. Other articles include: Celebrate 2012 as the . . . more »

Were you affected by the Christmas day floods in the Shire of Nillumbik? Yarra Plenty Regional Library would like to record and preserve your photos and personal stories on our Wikinorthia: documenting life in Melbourne’s north website. Flood waters severely impacted some residents late in the afternoon in Eltham and Research in particular with severe hail stones also being reported in the area. Roads, drains, . . . more »

The Heidelberg Historical Society’s updated website was recently launched at Watsonia Library by Ms Lindy Stagg, a Director of the East Ivanhoe and Heidelberg branches of the Bendigo Bank. The new website includes information about the Society, the Museum, the speakers program, the collection, the newsletter, the history of the district and a page of comprehensive links of local interest including links to Victorian Historical . . . more »