In March 1946, the war was over. The Italian prisoners of war who had been captured several years earlier in northern Africa were interned in camps around Australia and were waiting to be returned home. One Saturday evening, the commandant of the Rowville internment camp, Captain Waterston, shot and killed a prisoner, Rodolfo Bartoli, who he claimed was attempting to escape. What initially appeared to be a straightforward case of an Australian army officer carrying out his duty, soon appeared to be something else. Allegations of assaults, reckless firing of weapons, drunkenness and stolen goods began to emerge.

Sex workers in nineteenth-century Melbourne were judged morally corrupt by the respectable world around them. But theirs was a thriving trade, with links to the police and political leaders of the day, and the leading brothels were usually managed by women. Who were they? What did their daily lives look like? What became of them? Drawing on the findings of recent archaeological excavations, rare archival material and family records, historian Barbara Minchinton brings the fascinating world of Little Lon to life.

In this seminar on researching military service, Patrick Ferry will focus on research methodology and highlighting the range of resources available to help tell the story of a town / suburb / district’s soldiers. This seminar will be of great interest to historical societies, family history groups, military history buffs and people with a general interest in learning more about how to put some “meat” on the bones of their ancestors’ military service.

In partnership with the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) we are delighted to host the release of the Awards announcement for the Victorian Community History Awards. The pre-recorded video will be released at 4:30pm on Wednesday 27th October announcing the winner of the Premier's History Award 2021 and winners in the 9 other categories.
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The October clinic will focus on different cataloguing systems - so everything from catalogue cards and excel spreadsheets to the more sophisticated specialist software.

Social media has become the most influential and important virtual space to network, build a community, promote what you do, find assistance, sell books and events and connect. Social media networks are open to all and they are free, giving historical societies a chance to connect with whoever shares their interests.