Local History
Authentic buildings including a school, church, homesteads, public halls and shops now house a collection of domestic items and agricultural equipment. Nestled on the lower reaches of the Wimmera River, the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum covers 4.5 Hectares and houses an extensive collection of farm machinery and a window into the lifestyles of the European Settlers from the mid 1800's to the mid 1900's.
Situated in the refurbished Old Bond Store, the Movie House runs almost continuous screenings of highlights of Australia's early newsreels, comedy classics and archival shots. At the back of the Theatre is Australia's largest and only working Penny Arcade. Have your fortune told, test your strength and skills, see "what the butler saw" and view a peep show once banned in this country!54 antique penny arcade machines, fully operational
The Historical Society of Mooroopna is situated in the historic Mooroopna Manor, which was previously the Mooroopna Hosipital. The Museum is located on the 1st floor of the manor, in the former hospital operating suite. Displays explore aspects of local history and medical history.Approximately 3,000 items including photographs, certificates, maps, documents, newspapers, instruments, tools, paintings and a library.
This local history collection includes a growing photographic collection of local World War I and World War II veterans. A shed added in 1995 houses farming machinery and tools of local interest.600 items plus photographs. Artifacts used by locals - trinkets, glassware, clothing, lamps, school work etc. Machinery shed with agricultural implements used in the "horse and buggy" days e.g. a furphy header, reaper and binder, wagon, separator, spring cart, single farrow plough etc.
The former Bairnsdale College (1891) contains a display on farming machinery, a bark roof log cabin, a country community hall/school and historic domestic items. Photographic and archival material relating to the history of East Gippsland is stored at the Resource Centre. Heritage garden surrounds the building.Approximately 20,000 items including machinery; 20,000 photographs, documents, maps, etc microfilm of East Gippsland newspapers.
The Emerald Museum is a local history museum and archives which houses and selectively displays approximately 1600 photographs, 600 memorabilia, documentary records (including contemporary records) and family histories relevant to the economic, social and environmental history of Emerald and district (within postcode 3782). A collection of original ledgers, stock books and catalogues of the renowned Nobelius Nursery provides a link with the heritage park in which the museum is situated. The Museum also houses the Writers of the Dandernogs exhibit, which commemorated well-known Australian...
The Museum holds the most recognised snow-ski collection in Australia. Local artefacts include costumes, a carriage shed, a slab pioneer cottage, a dairy and the Old Corryong Gaol, Police station and restored School and Bank, Blacksmiths.
Housed in the old Rushworth Mechanic's Institute, the Museum offers a glimpse of the ordinary lifestyle of the 1853 gold rush days up until more modern times. A gold cradle, early farm implements and exhibits on rural life are among the many interesting everyday items on display.
Northcote Pottery has been producing terracotta pottery for over one hundred years. The historic site houses a variety of pottery manufacturing business from Australia's largest manufacturer of terracotta garden pots, to small artist studios. The remaining arched brick wood fired kiln has been converted into a potters gallery which exhibits the best of Victorian pottery.
Newspapers, files on local organisations (eg churches, schools), photographs, local cemetery records, obituaries and some local family histories are included in this collection. The Society organises displays for special organisations and its local history artefacts are a useful resource for school groups.
The Puffing Billy Railway is assisted by the efforts of over 700 volunteers from the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The Society has over 1,000 members and these people help in the daily running of our world famous railway.5 Operating 'NA' Class Locomotives, 1 Climax Locomotive, 1 Beckett Locomotive, 2 De Caulville Locomotives, 3 Diesels, 36 Carriages, 10 Fright Wagons.
Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a unique and award winning design based on the open wings of the white Cockatoo - totem of the Grampians/Gariwerd region. Brambuk is committed to education, training and employment of Indigenous people and the preservation and promotion of culture. It is 100% owned and operated by Aboriginal People.Aboriginal artefacts ranging in age from today to 40,000 years ago. Contemporary and traditional arts and craft, contemporary and traditional dance and stories.
The Italian Historical Society [I.H.S] was established in 1980 to collect, preserve, interpret and foster an understanding of the history and heritage of Italian immigration to Australia. It is the only historical society with this specialization in Australia. The main components of the HIS Collection are the library, the photographic collection, oral histories, letters, documents and official records. Within these collections are the other key sub-categories including diplomatic archives, internment records and newspaper cuttings. The HIS is located symbolically, in the heart of Italian...
The Society's base is the former Municipal Library (1909), an historic building now owned by the Rural City of Horsham. Its collection includes photographs, glass slides, hard copies of local newspapers (from 1882 onwards), a small collection of locally made items, bottles, pottery, family and business histories and local maps. The Society publishes small books on local rural areas, and an annual historical calendar.Estimated 5000 items, plus 10,000 photographs from early 1870's to present day
Coolart is an historic farming property with buildings dating from the 1860s. A 100 years old mansion houses historic photographs and art exhibitions. Other features include historic trail with access to beach and wetlands with hides and walking tracks.Small photographic collection and small collection of old farm machines
The Museum is part of the Croydon Library Complex. The collection includes photographs, original paintings and a wedding dress. The Museum helps adults and children to decipher history, and if necessary, assists with historical research.Approximately 500 photos and many other items of historical value
The Museum, consists of an historic post office (1890), a early and later period school buildings, pioneer's cottage and a bark hut. Lewis Lasseter (of fabled gold reef fame) - story of his activities in the district. His work boat is on display at the Museum. Displays deal with local history - from the discovery of gold, followed by timber getting, then dairying. As the area developed into a thriving community.Approximately 800 artefacts and 2000 photographs, and 100 documents
The Cottage is furnished in the early 1900s style and contains many maps and photographs. Farm machinery and fishing gear are housed in the implement shed that sits in the Cottage's yard.
The Learmonth Old Shire Hall houses a local history collection of photographs, maps and newspapers pertaining to the former shire of Ballarat. Of particular interest is the photographic collection depicting early Councillors.Approximately 500 photographs
The Centre is housed in the historic Port Fairy Court House, formerly the district's Supreme court. The main courtroom is intact and includes the original furniture. Four other rooms feature displays on shipping and seafarers of the area, local properties and the origins of Port Fairy, one of Victoria's oldest settlements. Temporary exhibitions relating to the history of the area are also provided.