Shire history heads online

GOLDEN Plains residents will soon be able to view the Shire’s history online, with the development of a digital museum announced last week.

Golden Plains Stories: Community History Interactive Web Exhibitions will be a multifaceted website showcasing the region’s past using a range of material.

The municipality will work with local historians to fill the online space with stories, photos, videos, e-publications and even 3D visualisations.

Mayor Cr Helena Kirby said the digital museum will allow people to discover the region’s history for years to come.

“The heritage of Golden Plains is incredibly important to our community and it’s exciting that the digital museum will allow us to preserve the stories of townships across the Shire in an innovative way, ensuring future generations have access to our local history,” she said.

The initiative is jointly funded using $13,000 from the municipality, an almost $15,000 grant from the State Government and an in-kind contribution from project partner RMIT University worth just under $37,000.

“Council is pleased to partner with RMIT University to deliver the… project, which will provide valuable opportunities for council to work alongside our local historians and community members to develop an important digital asset and preserve our Shire’s rich and diverse history,” Cr Kirby said.

“Council welcomes the $14,822 grant from the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants Program, which will help us deliver this important project and help to showcase the deep community history of our Shire.”

Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney, announced Golden Plains Shire was among three successful applicants in the region.

She said the projects reflected the diversity, innovation and creativity of groups involved, and preserving history could create work and tourism opportunities.

“Maintaining local history is also an important driver of jobs and tourism and it’s important that we continue to support our attractions both big and small,” she said.

The Local History Grants program is operated by the Public Record Office Victoria, with 52 groups receiving a total $350,000 in the latest round.

Director and keeper of public records, Justine Heazlewood, said the program “enables Victorians to look back on things that happened in their town and stay connected to its history.”