Joan Hunt (1944-2018)

To know Joan Hunt was to be in awe of her energy and dedication to the cause of local history.

Joan played many roles within the RHSV. From 1990 to 1993, 2002 to 2010 and 2012 to 2014 she was a Councillor. From 2002 to 2009 she served as Vice President. And from 2005 to 2009 she convened the History Victoria Support Group, a body that had emerged out of the earlier State Committee of Member Societies. She became a Fellow in 2008.

Joan travelled on a Churchill Fellowship to the UK where she studied the local history movement. She published widely and gained a PhD in history from Southern Cross University. She spoke to a vast range of groups, captivating audiences with her enthusiasm for community history.

A mere listing of her many activities goes no way towards describing the influence of the woman RHSV former president Weston Bate once dubbed ‘Joan St. Joan’. She was indefatigable, a charismatic personality who drew people along with her and completely energised the local history scene.

When she died suddenly in September 2018 her friends in the history movement were bereft. Carole Woods, in her tribute to Joan wrote that ‘Joan was a loved and legendary figure at the RHSV and across Victoria, she was indeed the Saint Joan of community history.’

Kaleidoscope exhibition text by Cheryl Griffin, February 2022. Full entry to follow.