By Helen Tatchell<\/p>\n
\u201cThe importance of Historical Societies<\/em> The Beatles sang \u201cIt was 20-years ago today\u2026\u201d, but for one local historical group it has been 30-years ago today. By Helen Tatchell \u201cThe importance of Historical Societies in a community cannot be over emphasised. They provide a link with the past by recording history which in turn becomes a valuable reference document for future generations.\u201d – Cr. Robert Molesworth Shire President (1989) The Beatles sang \u201cIt was 20-years ago today\u2026\u201d, but for one local […]<\/p>\n
\n in a community cannot be over emphasised.<\/em>
\n They provide a link with the past<\/em>
\n by recording history<\/em>
\n which in turn becomes<\/em>
\n a valuable reference document<\/em>
\n for future generations.\u201d<\/em>
\n – Cr. Robert Molesworth<\/em><\/strong>
\n Shire President (1989)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIt was on 2 June 1989 the original and inaugural \u2018A Pictorial History of the Shire of Ballan\u2019 was launched, and on this same day in 2019, the reprinting of said book was also launched.
\nMembers from Ballan Shire Historical Society Inc joined members from Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Mt Egerton, Bungaree and Daylesford for an official re-launch at the Ballan Courthouse on Sunday 2 June 2019.
\nMoorabool Mayor Cr Paul Tatchell and Cr John Keogh also attended.
\nPresident Catherine Green said it was a huge effort in compilation and a great way to publicise the Society.
\n\u201cThe book began in 1987 as an idea to document the European settlement in the area and was originally funded by the 1988 Bi-Centennial Authority and matched dollar-for-dollar by the Ballan Shire Council,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cThanks must go to three ladies, Jessie Dehnert, Doris Hastie and Janette Williams for their weeks and months of original work.
\n\u201cThe book today complements the original book and the Society is very appreciative of local monetary grants to reprint from Ballan & District Community Bank Branch and Moorabool Wind Farm, as these grants add to the life of local communities.\u201d
\nThe original 200-page book was launched in 1989, along with 200-people, in the Ballan Mechanics Hall by former MLA for Ballarat North Mr Tom Evans who praised it as \u201cone of the best local histories I have read\u201d.
\nIn an extract from \u2018The Settler\u2019 (Vol 1 #9 June 1989), the Society said they were delighted to have present among its guests, three descendants of pioneer settlers of the district pictured in the first chapter \u201c1838-1862\u201d.
\nMr Evans went on to say at the 1989 launch the book not only gave a picture of the early pioneers of the district and the hardships they endured, but also revealed the contribution that the Shire of Ballan had made to \u201cthe development of Victoria through timber, gold and wool production and the valuable resource of water\u201d.
\nIt is a pictorial record of 150-years of European settlement in the area bounded by Korweinguborra, Gordon, Mt Egerton, Morrisons, Beremboke, Mt Wallace, Blackwood and Barry\u2019s Reef.
\nCopies of the \u2018A Pictorial History of the Shire of Ballan\u2019 are available through the Historical Society for $35. Contact Richard on 5368 2544 or email bshs@hotmail.com.au<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"