Community
24 September, 2025
Historical societies join forces
COBDEN and District Historical Society recently hosted the southern zone meeting of the Western Victorian Association of Historical Societies (WVAHS) at the Cobden miniature railway refreshment rooms.
On Sunday, September 14, delegates from Camperdown, Mortlake, Terang, Heytesbury, Koroit, Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Derrinallum-Lismore gathered to enjoy scones and a cuppa before the meeting commenced.
“The zone meetings provide historical societies with the opportunity to come together and share knowledge and resources, with 16 groups making up the southern zone,” Cobden and District Historical Society secretary Delia Kerr said.
“Fourteen groups were represented with 31 delegates attending with members of the executive coming from Nhill, Jeparit, Horsham, Stawell and Landsborough.
“Group members reported on their group’s activities over the last six months with all groups achieving great outcomes for their area, although all are experiencing similar issues with dwindling membership bases and a lack of volunteers.”
Mrs Kerr said discussions from these reports included accessibility around cemetery and headstone upkeep, the correct methods of preserving old documents and artefacts and the digital recording of societies collections.
“Following lunch, delegates were offered a miniature train ride to our historical hall,” she said.
“Delegates alighted the train and walked across to our hall where they were welcomed.
“Many were delighted to view our new pop-up exhibition of wedding gowns.
“They also took a keen interest our static displays and were overjoyed to view our wedding dress from around the 1870s.
“WVAHS president Craig Proctor acknowledged the commitment of Cobden and District Historical Society to hosting this important event and encouraged other groups to put up their hands either to host similar events or to collaborate with a neighbouring historical society in hosting events.”
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