News
Meeting 2nd April 2024 at 1.30pm
GUEST SPEAKER: DR CHERYL GLOWREY
The 1860s was the decade before gold was discovered at Stockyard Creek (Foster). Far from being uninhabited, Corner Inlet and Stockyard Creek were teaming with industry. The timber traders, Chinese fisherman, miners and pastoralists used the waters of the inlet rather than the land. Tall ships and boats were in such number that the government built a lighthouse and customs station at the entrance of the inlet, and of course there was the mutiny.
Come and join us as Local Historian, Dr Cheryl Glowrey will talk about this early decade in the history of the district.
Members, guests and the general public are welcome. Members are asked to bring a plate. Tea and coffee available after the talk.
Venue: Crawford Hall, access via the car park ramp.
Image: Snake Island Lighthouse 1860s
Monthly Meeting Feb 7th 2023,1.30pm Crawford Hall
Neil Everitt will talk about his book, To Australia they came, supplemented with a slide show.
This, of course, is very topical bearing in mind our current exhibition. The talk will be followed by afternoon tea. Members are asked to bring a plate.
The general public are more than welcome to attend.
FDHS News
The latest Newsletter is available to read by selecting the link below.
On 6 Dec 2022 we had our annual Christmas function in Crawford Hall with 23 members present. An excellent Christmas meal was by courtesy of the Foster Golf Club and a well-laced pudding thanks to one of our members. President Meg Rogers summarised the past year and congratulated members for their on-going commitment to the society. In particular the intense effort put into our latest exhibition (click on Exhibitions Tab) which was formally opened last weekend. A stirring reminder of the role of migrants in the development of South Gippsland
Another recent post was our 2023 Calendar which can be purchased using the PayPal button , visiting the Museum or several Foster shops. Click on Publications tab to view this post.
Across Bass Strait by Jane L Lennon
Dr Jane Lennon AM grew up in rural Victoria and has an affinity for the stormy southern shores. In December 2020, Jane was made an Honorary member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for her distinguished service to conservation in Australia and internationally.
This book on the inter-colonial trade in meat and livestock is well illustrated and the various maps are clearly printed and easy to read.
Available at the Foster & District Historical Society or on-line through PayPal, $35, postage $13.00
“Communications Past and Present” and Newsletter Update
Sunday 5th December at 1pm the ‘Communications Past and Present’ Exhibition was formally opened by Reg Williams, in front of a surprisingly good crowd, followed by the thee usual afternoon tea, accompanied by a goodly variety of eats.
A presentation was made to Reg for his contribution to the Museum over many years.
Newsletter Series 2. 7 November 2021
We opened the Museum at weekends and had a few visitors but unfortunately have had to once again CLOSE due to Covid-19 (Omicron)
In The Shadow of the Prom Mike McCarthy
This beautifully presented book is the result of nearly 40 years of research and the Foster & District Historical Society is proud to launch the publication on Nov 29th at !pm, Due to on-going Covid-19 restrictions the launch will take place on the front lawn at the Museum. Books will be available for purchase at a special discount to the normal $66 plus $15 postal costs if not collected at the museum. Keep an eye on Browsing Around in The Mirror as opening hours will be restricted.
Museum OPEN Wed Sat Sun 11am -3pm until further notice
Monthly Meetings recommence from Tuesday 2 February 2021.
There will be a walk round Foster Cemetery with short accounts of some well-known people buried there, commencing 6pm. Afterwards there will be refreshments in the Rotunda, pizzas, drumstick ice-creams & tea or coffee, cost $10 person. Please contact Meg Rogers, 0428 821 760 to confirm for catering purposes.
FDHS Newsletter Oct 2019
As usual Rosemary Francis has produced an informative newsletter. Please download and open using a pdf reader. An invitation to the Christmas Party is available for download. Please be sure to reply.
AGM 6 August 2019
We said goodbye to our very efficient hardworking curator, Jennifer Jones, at the AGM. Unfortunately at the present time we don’t have a replacement volunteer and will have to rely on other members of the committee and some ‘specialist’ general members curating our next exhibition.
The members expressed their collective appreciation of all the energy and hard work put into the role of curator by Jennifer. The other incumbents were all re-elected unopposed and our popular President, Meg Rogers, warmly acknowledged for her stewardship
.
Stan Grylls – Queensland on a push bike
Marilyn Smith , our Welshpool resident, spoke about her father’s epic bike ride as a 21 year old. He rode his push bike from Victoria to Queensland during the 1930’s depression looking for work.
courtesy Marilyn Smith (daughter)
Marilyn is well known as the creator of a wonderful collection of ‘antique’ dolls now on display at the museum.
Listen to the introductory remarks from Marilyn’s talk, Crawford Hall, on Tuesday 4th June 2019.
Things my garden taught me
The next meeting of the Foster and District Historical Society will be on Tuesday 2nd April at 7.30pm in the Crawford Hall at the Museum (accessed through the side gate off the car park).
Gabrielle Baldwin will speak about her recently published book “Things my garden taught me”. The book is an account of a twenty-five year project to establish a native garden on land near Corner Inlet which had previously been part of a dairy farm. It describes the challenges encountered and lessons learned, and explores questions about the relationships between humans and the natural environment.
All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments available after the meeting.
A Gold Coin donation from non-members, please.
February Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is now available for download via the Newsletters page.
Our website redesign
Welcome to our more dynamic and content rich website with a new design. Feel free to contact us with any feedback.
Railway Hotels of Australia Volume One – Victoria
The coming of the railway was a major event in the history of many towns and cities across Victoria. This is the story behind every Railway Hotel; and the social, economic and political themes that have shaped society over the last 150 years in Victoria.
Limited stock available
$60 at the Museum
$14 postage
SOLAR PANELS – Financial Assistance Sought
The committee has been exploring the benefits of installing a solar power system to reduce costs involved with maintaining the vault at a low humidity and controlled temperature as well as providng pleasant working conditions for our volunteer staff..
A modern Enphase microinverter 4.25KW system has been chosen and the deposit paid. It is anticipated the annual benefit should be in the order of a 50% reduction in consumption costs.
The Society has been supported by grants from the Shire of South Gippsland and Bendigo Community Bank Toora in addition to a donation from the Toora Lions Club.
Unfortunately the grants were well below our expectations and addditional funds are required in order to make this installation a fully effective financial optiion. The society has had generous donations from several members but more help is needed.
CAN YOU HELP? ANY DONATION AMOUNT IS MOST WELCOME!
Donations can be made via PayPal on this website or by contacting
Meg Rogers
President
Ph: 0428 821 760
Your generosity is appreciated
Grant from Bendigo Bank, Foster
In June 2013, we were delighted to receive a grant of $2000 from the Community Enterprise Foundation, Bendigo Bank, towards the renovation of our museum entrance room. The renovation has really lifted the entrance to the museum and provides a warm welcome for our many visitors.
Shipwrecks of the South Gippsland Coast Don Love
Click on Title for details.
Cost $30.00 plus postage (select after final purchase)
SELECT POSTAGE BEFORE FINAL CHECK OUT
Living in Welshpool
Tuesday 5th June at 7.30pm
Marge Thorburn will be giving an illustrated talk about about Welshpool at Crawford Hall. Please use the car park ramp entrance. Non-members are most welcome. Tea/coffee is served after the meeting. The committee look forward to a good attendance.