By Sue Thompson
After two years of uncertainty, Lilydale & District Historical Society is back to normal…… well the Covid version of it.
Our first meeting in February also coincided with the launch of our first new display in two years -Working Together 10 Years of Local Government – which was attended by various members of the community groups that contributed a story and images to the display. Each had the added responsibility of unveiling their display board.
Now, everyone is welcome to visit our home at the Old Lilydale Court House and learn more about 18 groups from Seville, Coldstream, Lilydale, Montrose and Kilsyth. Each responded to our invitation to be part of the display via their local township group. The display is their stories of working together with the council to support and develop their group. See our hours of opening below.
Also on display is our belated 50th anniversary originally scheduled for 2021. The society’s display traces the stories of some key activities the society has been involved in during its 50-year history. Formed in 1971 to help the Shire of Lillydale celebrate its centenary in 1972, the society continues to work closely with council and the local community on current projects.
Some projects society members are involved in include the Inspiro Art and Sole Project; Lilydale Structure Plan; Lilydale Reserve & Melba Park Committee of Management; Beautification of Main Street; Lilydale Heritage Study and the Yarra Ranges Heritage Network.
Last year heritage groups across the Yarra Ranges elected me as its new Chair to replace the late Phil Garland. The network aims to work together to promote and preserve the history of the municipality and provide support for each other.
On 16 March the work of these 17 groups will be on display at the launch of the Power and the People 150 Years of Local Government exhibition at the Memo in Healesville. Each group has selected a facility, project, event or service in their area which demonstrates the value of the partnership between council and the local community which turned dreams into reality.
The exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of the network and the council which provided the funding for it through its Arts and Heritage Grants for Community program.
Be sure to visit the exhibition which was going to various venues throughout Yarra Ranges for the rest of this year.
Old Lilydale Court House is open Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 11am to 4pm or go for more information, go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au and check out our News & Events page.
