History timeline unveiled

BACCHUS Marsh and District Historical Society has opened a new display on a wall in Moorabool’s biggest library, detailing local history from 1788 to 2000.

The society unveiled a timeline last week which shows historical events along a timeline from the beginning of British colonisation, to the dawn of the 21st century.

BMDHS president John Spain said that volunteer members had worked together over many hours to prepare the display for residents and visitors, with the idea conceived about two months ago.

“It’s a little different from previous displays in that happenings outside our district are displayed with images of Bacchus Marsh from the same time periods,” he said.

“For example, the establishment of the Bacchus Marsh Primary School occurred in the year before the discovery of gold at Buninyong.

“The society has also, for the first time, included QR codes in the display.

“Visitors to the display can use the QR codes with their mobile phones to access detailed historical information about the depicted events.”

Mr Spain said the display also included images of “then” and “now,” enabling visitors to see how much the local landscape had changed over the years.

BMDHS secretary Barb McMillan said there is a gap from the 1930s to about 1945.

“We don’t have a lot of photos from that era,” she said.

Being the district’s historical society, Mr Spain said the group was also keen to get more historical information and photographs from outside Bacchus Marsh itself.

The wall display will be on view for at least a couple of months.

Further information about the display can be obtained in person on Thursdays from 10am until 12pm, and from 1pm until 3pm at the Archives Room in the Lerderderg Library, or by emailing [email protected].

Society members are happy to receive feedback and suggestions for future displays.