History & heritage

Sawfish - one of the world's most endangered rays - have lost over half of their habitat worldwide and largely disappeared from the entire east coast of Australia. A collaborative study by the University of Southern Queensland and Sharks and Rays Australia will endeavour to fill in gaps in information about the ray’s ecology, biology and distribution.

This superbly researched book documents 146 years of European activity in the northern Snowy Mountains and is replete with excellent maps and very helpful photographs which place the discussion into context, enabling the reader to visualise the descriptions clearly.

Chris Murray. Mary Marlowe’s novel, Psalmist of the Dawn (published in 1934 but probably written in 1931) is set on Lord Howe and populated with real places, activities and people – that latter only slightly disguised behind pseudonyms ... Garfishing was an important part of the Islanders’ semi-subsistence lifestyle before World War II. Large quantities of gars were caught not only for local consumption but also for sale to passing vessels.

Sunshine Coast Council and Community museums have teamed up to offer a month of mystery madness.

Gabrielle Duykers. A Naracoorte family has been reunited with a 70-year-old WWII medal, after months of effort from RSL volunteers ... After extensive research across VIC and SA war registers, he discovered the medal was in fact a Returned from Active Service badge, originally issued in WWI and again in WWII ... Bill Leitch said receiving the badge was like having another “piece to the puzzle” of his ancestry.

Under the proposal, a portion of the site will be transferred to the Grafton Ngerrie LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and successfully resolve an Aboriginal land claim. Another parcel of land adjacent to Grafton Base Hospital will be transferred to NSW Health ... the SE portion, which comprises significant heritage items, will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place ...

An in-depth review of Stephen A Chavura and Greg Melluish's investigation into the philosophical roots of Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister.

Warwick O'Neill. “Take that damned thing away and let me see it for the first time in half an hour.” The immortal words of General Charlie Cox of the 1st Light Horse Brigade in the mid-afternoon of 23rd December 1916. He was  referring to a direct written order from the Commander of the Anzac Mounted Division, none other than Harry Chauvel, ordering the withdrawal of troops from the attack on Magdhaba, Egypt. The Corps had been attacking all day without success and Chauvel, fearing that horses and men would soon run out of water had ordered the withdrawal. ‘Fighting’ General Cox had other ideas.

On Sunday 27 June, Macknade Bowls Club honoured the Marbelli Family by naming its green the Marbelli Green. We had a full green of players and, prior to afternoon tea, local dignitaries and members of the Marbelli family arrived at the club; the purpose of their arrival being unknown to most people present.

John McNamara. In March 1884, the lease and household effects of the “Ocean View” Boarding House in Pilot Street overlooking Yamba Beach was taken up by James and Hannah Ryall who later purchased the freehold from Kinnear in 1888. Ryall was a baker and established a bakery adjoining the boarding house.

In a first for Australian heritage tourism management, residents in 13 local government areas in the Central Victoria Goldfields region have been taking an online survey to gauge their happiness, quality of life and well-being ... The survey forms an important part of the region’s bid to have the best of its gold-rush era heritage sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto is pleased to advise that funding has seen upgrades progressed at the historical Ringsfield House, Nanango.

From award-winning author and historian Janet McCalman, the engrossing tale of Tasmanian convict settlers in colonial Victoria. It was meant to be 'Victoria the Free', uncontaminated by the Convict Stain. Yet they came in their tens of thousands as soon as they were cut free or able to bolt. More than half of all those transported to Van Diemen's Land as convicts would one day settle or spend time in Victoria.

Kendall Jennings, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper Surrounded by wood heaters and spares from yesteryear, the Border Flywheelers volunteers restore machinery, preserving history for...

Emma Pritchard. One of the most popular attractions at the museums reopening was a local blacksmiths display by Don Shannon along with husband and wife team Joel and Jess See of Fortis Creek Forge. Visitors watched with interest as they demonstrated with seasoned precision, the skills and workmanship which made blacksmithing such a valuable resource to several early industries.

Dr David Lindley’s long anticipated history of the Northern Snowy Mountains was launched by the Mayor of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Abb McAlister on 24 June to a packed crowd at Gundagai Library. The book is in two volumes, with Volume 1 covering the exploration of the mountains from Long Plain to Goobarragandra with a comprehensive description of the many gold mines and gold mining ventures in the region. Volume 2 examines grazing, timber-milling, eucalyptus oil distillation, fishing and other recreational activities.

The biennial Bruce Wilson Memorial Heritage Lecture is returning to the region this month, with Greater Shepparton City Council encouraging residents interested in heritage to attend.

Collection significance assessment - In June, Melanie Piddocke from Queensland Museum visited the Island to undertake a Collection Significance Assessment of the collections held at the Lord Howe Island Museum. Cataloguing online - The Museum committee has also commenced cataloguing the artefacts held in the collection on a web-based system called eHive. Signal archive accessible at the museum - the museum now has a very accessible digital archive of all issues of the Island newspaper, The Lord Howe Island Signal.

Douglas Draeger. In 2021 Spirits are high for those who made it across the borders in to the Northern Territory. More than 140 genuine World War II vehicles and over 15 post war support vehicles would normally be making their way to Alice Springs from all over Australia for the official start of Back to the Track on 1 August.

Rockhampton Regional Libraries will share tales of empire, war, love, betrayal, Spanish Influenza and youthful naiveté, thanks to a Rotary Club donation. Local author Mark Svendsen has recently released "As Hammers Fall", a book for young adults focusing on WWI with a Brisbane perspective – and it is now available at the Southside Library.

The Lismore Italian Film Festival at Lismore's bccEvent Cinemas scheduled for Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8 2021 has been postponed.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the City of Sandhurst. Now known as Bendigo, the Borough of Sandhurst was formally declared a City on July 21, 1871 in the Victorian Government Gazette. To acknowledge this occasion and pay tribute to the many generations of civic leaders who have contributed to the city over that time, the City of Greater Bendigo has unveiled a plaque and a collection of Mayoress portraits in the Bendigo Town Hall Council Chamber.