Amateurs and Experts

As readers follow the time line of the Society’s development in the chapters of this history, they will be better able to understand how the Society was formed, the various demands that had to be met and the number of hard working members who have given a great deal of their time, to ensure that the Society developed to its present day position as one of the largest and best family history/genealogical societies in Australia …

The Society has moved from a handful of people who came together in 1941 to start the Society, to an organization of approximately 6,700 members in 2001. During its development the service provided to members moved from a small cadre of volunteers to the employment of staff to assist the growing needs of the Society …

Elizabeth Marks is an experienced genealogist who is well qualified to write this history, having been a Councillor and Honorary Librarian of the Society for over five years.

Five Flags and Federation

Bill “Andy” Andrews was born in the Channel Islands in 1928 and came to Australia to live in 1953.

He had a 45 year sea-going career in Britain and Australia with service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean in World War Two, on coastal and local trading vessels around Australia, and finally on tugs on Western Port Bay.

In 1959 he met and married Ethel, whose forebears had come to live in north eastern Victoria in the 1840s from Scotland.

This is his story.

Reflections & Recollections

This history was written for the 80th anniversary of the Anglican Parish of All Saints’ East Malvern. While a church anniversary is an opportunity for all who have been associated with it to relive old and happy memories it is also, in the words of one of its present pastors …

“… an opportune moment for us to express our confidence in God and each other for the continuing work of God in the present and future through His faithful …”

Both of these are a part of Reflections & Recollections. Leon Stubbings has skilfully brought together the old and the new, the past and the present, through his own review of the church’s archives and the personal recollections and reflections of those who have been part of its story over the years.

We see in this book a picture of a lively and vibrant church community which for much of its eighty years was a crucial part of the lives of its people.

We see also a church which, like the church everywhere, is having to find new ways to express its place in the modern world and to express with relevance the message of Christ in times when rapid change and uncertainty are the norm in all walks of life.

Just Give the Bottom Cupboards to the Mice

‘When people asked where we’d come from and we answered Portland, they must have thought we were absolutely crazy. A very pregnant woman with three small children, in a tent in the open, during a very hot summer, when we lived at the beach anyway.’

‘Giving my new address I asked if they could please come and connect the power. Yes—not a problem—hold on a moment. The moment passed and back this person came on the line. “I’m sorry we can’t do that—that place is unsafe”.’

‘I answered the phone, and it was one of the lovely ladies of the town. She was ringing to invite us all to tea. I thanked her very much, but said, “We couldn’t possibly come. We have six children.” She said, “I know you have. So have I. I have everything arranged. We’ll expect you all about six.”’

With recollections such as these Joan Freemantle tells a refreshing and entertaining story of the family of a country school teacher, moving frequently to all corners of the State, living in a wide range of housing, growing to six children, coping with numerous minor disasters and adventures—and staying positive through it all.

A jolly good read!

the Souths and the Bonds

Not for public distribution.

“This is not a history mainly comprised of names, dates and places going back into the dark ages. Rather, I have tried to “put flesh on the bones” of the names, to give some picture of the sort of people our relatives were, the lives they led, their expectations, their economic circumstances …”

This is a history not just of interest to the four families mainly involved—the Souths, Longs, Bonds and Rayners. Frank South’s work also gives a fascinating view of the life and times of British people through much of the twentieth century. In particular, the author’s own experience of London during the Blitz is a compelling account of this crucial period of war through the eyes of a schoolboy, while the story of his uncle, Frank South senior, gives some insight into exploration and exploitation of New Guinea in the 1930s.

Limited print only, produced for distribution within the family, but copies may be available for sale to interested persons.

from Gold to Federation

The Fourth Victorian State Family History Conference was held in Albury in April 2001. 2001 was the centenary year of Australia’s Federation and so it was significant that the Conference revolved around the impact that immigration had on the new nation. Hundreds of thousands of free settlers arrived between 1860 and 1901, predominantly from Britain and Ireland, carrying within them the dream of making a life in the new country. A growing population brought with it rapid development and stirrings of autonomy in the newly created colonies, with Federation being a natural outcome.

This book contains the papers presented at the Conference and will offer the family historian and genealogist much in the way of background information about the period, as well as the sources of relevant records.

The Milligan Story: Ireland – Australia

Not for public distribution.

Hugh Milligan was born in 1833 in Moyboy, Antrim, Ireland, and died in 1891 in Eaglehawk, Victoria, Australia. He married Nancy “Agnes” Hammil in 1853 in Cullybackey, Antrim, Ireland and they migrated to Australia in 1856.

This is their story and that of their descendants.

Dawn Friend is one of them, and this book brings together her extensive research for the benefit of current and future generations of the Milligan family.

Limited print only, produced for distribution within the family, but copies may be available for sale to interested persons.

snow in december

This is the fourth anthology of Joachim Matschoss’ work published by PenFolk Publishing. This collection includes “very personal poems which bring exile into focus through a belief in the rerdeeming powers of love” as well as “poems about urban alienation and political change”.

Also included is a CD of readings and songs from the book.

Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs consists of seventeen moving stories by families who have overcome the initial shock and disappointment at the birth of their Down syndrome baby, and taken the challenge through to a life of love and meaning.

The recurring theme is communication and its power to alleviate some of the negativity that can overshadow Down syndrome. While acknowledging the anguish and difficulties experienced, there is great emphasis on love, challenge and personal growth. Ups & Downs comprises:

• the stories—the parents and families have bared their souls, and written honestly about this traumatic happening in their lives where revisiting painful memories and experiences is a confronting, yet perhaps cathartic experience

• the introduction by biologist Liz Brown, sociologist Carol Grbich, and psychologist Jacqui Costigan who also wrote the conclusion

• the detailed account by Erma Fidler, included with her story, of the groundbreaking accommodation project developed for her son and three others in Ballarat

• documents and contact information that will support and encourage anyone dealing with Down syndrome

Leatherwood Honey for Gall

Lowly people determined to make a go of their lives. Loss and loneliness. Family secrets. Politicians and power. Churches aligned with wealth and respectability. A fascinating look at many aspects of Australia's colonial context.

For students and readers of colonial history and for Australians seeking their British ancestry, each chapter of this book is filled with information and encouragement. In a combination of story and history Mary Reddrop traces the lives in Van Diemen's Land and Victoria of two of her great-great-grandparents. One was transported to Australia in 1828 for cattle theft. The other went out in 1836 as a poor immigrant.

Mary Reddrop, a school teacher who became a professional social worker specialising in counselling, brings an understanding of human behaviour to her account of colonial events. Compassion for the marginalised and concern for social justice combined with detailed research make this a compelling book.

Spiral

“Lazy days … It was about eleven o’clock on a Wednesday morning and Ronsard was still in bed; his favourite place. Everything made sense in his bed because the world made sense, his life made sense and there were no dramas. It was only after he got out of bed and started to take part in the rest of the world that the dramas began. The idea for Ronsard, therefore, was to extend his ‘in bed headspace’ for as long as possible before he’d have to go out into the rest of society and be bombarded by everyone else’s senses of reality …”

This first novel by Eddie Banks follows Ronsard on a series of adventures and misadventures as he tries to pluck up the courage to strike up a relationship with Jellicoe, the girl of his dreams.

Sometimes funny, sometimes tender, sometimes raunchy, always entertaining.

The Hillbilly Addict

In this book Norm Burke takes us on a journey through the world of country music in Australia from his own first encounters in the 1950s to the present day. He speaks with some authority as a writer, performer, broadcaster and critic. He gently explodes a few musical myths and not so gently tilts at the country music establishment.

Science at Work

This is the story of the often pioneering work of the Industrial Hygiene Division of the Victorian Department of Health from 1937 to 1980—the triumphs and tragedies, the investigations and the legislation which followed. It examines the social context in which priorities were set and, with a series of narratives, explores the roles of science and politics in the prevention of occuaptional disease.

Musée de Poésie

Not for public distribution.

This is the fourth volume of poetry published by PenFolk for James Watkin. His previous volumes were Next Door to the Sun (1999), Gardens of the Blessed (1998) and Bashful Breakthrough (1997). Limited print only, produced for distribution within the family.

Next Door to the Sun

Not for public distribution.

This is the third volume of poetry published by PenFolk for James Watkin. His previous volumes were Gardens of the Blessed (1998) and Bashful Breakthrough (1997). Limited print only, produced for distribution within the family.

The Tiger and the Kangaroo Went to Sea

In this autobiographical journey, Patricia Pengilley describes her own personal journey from her upbringing in the India of the British Raj through a rich and fulfilling adult life in Australia. Along the way she explores her own family traditions and those of her husband which stretch back to the Second Fleet. There is also a search for Australian identity—of becoming, of belonging.

Older People and Medications

Older People and Medications is the report of a study conducted by TRANX Inc in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It identifies a number of issues for older people living in the community and is intended to provide a discussion paper for health professionals working with older people, older people themselves and carers of older people.

mythfits

Mythfits consists of four original short stories drawing on references to mythology to give a sense of timelessness to very human stories of characters struggling with family secrets, loneliness and emotional pain. Each story delivers the reader into unease in its own special way.

Health, Wealth, Wisdom

This collection of twenty four of the twenty seven papers presented to the conference is a diverse and invaluable source of information for genealogists and historians. Topics covered include the use of computers and the Internet; education, land selection and health care in the ninteenth century; the use of hulks in Port Phillip Bay; and hospitals and mechanics institutes records.

under a migrant moon

In this anthology Joachim Matschoss focuses on issues confronting a migrant in Australia. “These poems journey through a landscape textured by the meeting of languages, silence and breath. Their polished simplicity opens words to reveal the space between, marking the meditative attention requisite for being in a foreign place.”