Social History

Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary
Chauncy Vale, which was gazetted as a Tasmanian wildlife sanctuary in 1946, is located 40 Km north of Hobart and 4 Km east of the town of Bagdad. It is recognised as a valuable heritage and natural environment site. The house of Chauncy Vale named "Day Dawn" was the home of the distinguished Tasmanian children's author, Nan Chauncy (1900-1970). It has been opened to the public as a small Museum to display all her published children's books and their translations and her memorabilia and the furnishings of her time.This bushland home of Tasmanian author Nan Chauncy has been opened as a small...
Bruny Island Courthouse History Room
The "Old Court House" was built in 1938 and was used as a Court of Petty Sessions until the 1970's and for Council meetings until 1993. The Bruny History Collection was established in 1988 and the History Room opened in 1997. The History Room provides a venue for the community and visiting public to peruse information on Bruny Island's history with subjects arranged in alphabetical order including Aboriginal History, Convicts, Family Trees, Industries, schools, Wars and many others.The collection contains items of yesteryear, local community archival records and photographs including a...
Bowen Commemorative Historical Centre
The museum has been developed solely by volunteers and is wholly independent in that it does not solicit private or government funding. The site is situated very near to the first British settlement of Tasmania at Disdon Cove (1803). The immediate environment is the oldest settled area in Tasmania.The collection consists of documents and pictorial displays. The information has been mounted against a native fauna and flora painted background indicative of the type found in the area in 1803.
Rosny Historic Centre
The Rosny Historic Centre, located in the heart of Rosny Park, comprises Rosny Barn, Rosny Cottage and Schoolhouse Gallery. The barn, one of the oldest in Australia, is an impressive example of early stone construction built around 1815. The display in the barn shows the history and development of Rosny Farm since white settlement. Rosny Cottage was built around 1850 and has been home to farmers, labourers and greenkeepers. The cottage is furnished to recreate the atmosphere of Tasmanian homes in the early part of the last century. The Schoolhouse Gallery is a contemporary replica of an...
Gold Museum, Ballarat

The Gold Museum performs a dual role as the home of the celebrated Simon collection of gold nuggets and coins, and as the Regional Museum for Ballarat. Permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring the history of the district are presented, encompassing both Ballarat social history and Koori cultural heritage.The Simon Gold Pavilion tells the story of gold throughout the ages, while the recently opened 'Ballarat: Inspired by Gold' exhibition traces the evolution of a grand Victorian city. The multi-media 'Land of the Watha Wurrung' delivers a dramatic interpretation of the region’s Koori past...

Warragul and District Historical Society Museum

The Warragul and District Historical Society collection is held at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul. It includes a large photograph collection, newspapers and artefacts associated with the district's history, particularly its timber and dairy industries.Estimated 2,000 items plus 1,000 photographs. Newspapers (hardcopy and on Microfilm), many indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths from papers, Society Monthly Bulletin, Photographs, Memorabilia

State Coal Mine Museum
A visit to the state mine in Wonthaggi is a journey back to the difficult working conditions of the mining days past. Preserved and managed by Parks Victoria for future generations, this original mine gives visitors opportunity to venture underground and gain an understanding of the life of a miner seventy years ago.

Access to the mine today is via a gently sloping inclined tunnel. On most occasions visitors walk into the mine, while those experiencing walking difficulties can ride underground on skips (carts). All groups return to the surface on the skips to save an walk uphill!

The mine...
Sharps Magic Movie House and Penny Arcade
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
Historical Society of Mooroopna Inc
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.
East Gippsland Historical Society Inc.
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.
Emerald Museum
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 Man from Snowy River Folk Museum
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.
Rushworth Museum
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.
Coleraine Local History Centre and Museum
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.
Brambuk
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.
Italian Historical Society-Co.As.It.
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...
Como Historic House and Garden
Como is one of a few surviving large suburban estates, dating from 1847, just over 10 years after European settlement of the Port Phillip district. For 95 years it was owned by the Armytage family, prominent graziers and well known members of Melbourne Society. Much of their original furniture is in the house today. The house is surrounded by 6.5 acres of beautiful gardens.Approx. 1500 pieces of furniture and decorative art objects, mostly original to the Armytage family's period of ownership (1864-1959).
Foster and District Historical Society Inc.

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

Port Fairy History Centre
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.
Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society

The Golden City Paddle Steamer is the only remaining paddle steamer of 15 which used to operate on Ballarat's Lake Wendouree. The Golden City now operates on a regular basis during summer or can be hired by groups on request. The vessel is moored at Gill's Boatshed. The boatshed has been developed to house a 100 seat restaurant and the Lake Wendouree Museum. the Museum fitout is proceeding and is expected to be completed by 26th April 1998. The Museum will interpret the natural environment of the lake, as well as the family, sporting and recreational aspects of its history. Plans are being...

Pages