Call to preserve town’s past

MEMBERS of the Meredith History Interest Group (MHIG) are calling for photos depicting the life, landmarks and people of Elaine.

The collection will form the basis of a photo exhibition at the Elaine Hall in October, and MHIG president Margaret Cooper said the initiative is about ensuring the town’s history is preserved.

“It’s to collect these photos and have them together so that they’re saved and don’t get thrown out, say if someone dies,” she said.

“It’s preserving a copy forever. If people want to give us photos we can come visit them or they can bring them to the history centre or send them through text or email.”

MHIG members have held similar exhibitions focusing on Steiglitz and Morrisons.

Photos featured in those shows were compiled into the books Steiglitz thru the Lens, and Morrisons – Thru the Lens.

A similar book featuring the collected Elaine photographs is expected to be released next year.

“Elaine actually seems to have more topics or subjects than the others,” Ms Cooper said.

“Steiglitz was mainly the town, and Morrisons had quite a few categories. But Elaine, because they had the soldiers’ settlement, businesses, buildings, schools, churches … the water race, recreation reserve … there’s a hell of a lot to capture.

“The other towns didn’t have a railway like Elaine does.”

MHIG member and Elaine Hall committee chair Paul Ryan estimated he has between 20 to 40 photos that could feature in the show.

He said since putting the call out, the project has given many residents an opportunity to reminisce about old memories. “We’ve got people starting to look at their photos now; some have got photos they didn’t even realise they had until they started looking,” he said.

Ms Cooper guessed about 200 photos would feature in the exhibition.

To express interest in providing photos for the show, contact Ms Cooper on 0408 109 389 or email [email protected].