All Day

Well Built: Simmie & Co Master Builders 1924 – 1978

RHSV Gallery Downstairs 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne

Simmie & Co was a prominent building company in Melbourne (1924-1978) and in Canberra (1926-1969).  In Melbourne the company was highly successful and built many iconic buildings, churches, monasteries, schools, housing, factories, defence works, the Shrine forecourt (1939-45), offices and theatres including some heritage-listed constructions (one designed by Robin Boyd). The founders were three Victorian brothers, all born in the last decade of the nineteenth century and all worked at the Sunshine Harvester factory before World War One – William, Jock & George. All were World War One veterans (two were Gallipoli veterans). All were wounded and survived. Two were closely involved with the Master Builders Association in Melbourne. Discover their story of a pioneering building company of the early to mid-twentieth century, of World War One veterans, of courage and a willingness to take a risk, of the beginning of the capital city of Australia and the workers, the unsung heroes, who made it all happen.

Balwyn Historical Society: Professor Richard Broome speaking on “The Making of Melbourne 1835 – 1890”

Balwyn Evergreen Centre 45 Talbot Ave, Balwyn

This presentation is about the rise of a modern metropolis of the times before its fall in the 1890s. Professor Broome will also discuss the creation of the book, ‘Remembering Melbourne’. Richard Broome is Emeritus Professor of Australian History at La Trobe University and President of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. He is the author of sixteen books, including Aboriginal Australians (5th edition 2019). His most recent book is As Cedars Grow (2023) with David Brown, a Lebanese Australian migration story.