A new South Coast history magazine has just hit the streets. And it’s free.
Published by the community-based South Coast History Society, it presents interesting stories from the region’s past.
The inaugural issue, released this week, includes articles on the gold rushes and the bushrangers of Nerrigundah, the sinking of the ‘Cumberland’ by a German raider off the coast of Eden during World War I, the contribution that the Bega Band has made to local communities over the past 145 years, and – appropriately for this first issue – a simple explanation of how today’s South Coast landscapes evolved over a period of hundreds of thousands of years and how they have impacted on the area’s history.
“The magazine, titled ‘Recollections’, had two major aims,” said Peter Lacey, a local historian and one of the team that helped produce the magazine.
“It is a simple and acceptable way that we can share some of the many incredibly interesting stories from our past with more people from this area. And it also provides newcomers to the area with something of a feeling for the history of the area that would normally have been learned by locals when they were at school.
“So it includes something of value to everyone.”
“This first issue includes a timeline of the history of the area from pre-European discovery and settlement to more recent times, which clearly explains how and when the area has developed.
“And there are a couple of reviews of ‘must read’ books. One is a recently released publication, the other is of a fascinating book that was written some decades ago that provides some extremely revealing insights into the lives of one of the area’s pioneering families.
“Then, on top of that, we’ve included a fun Australian history trivia quiz and have provided details about a number of up-coming history-related activities in and around the NSW South Coast.”
‘Recollections’ is available free on request in PDF format at southcoasthistory@yahoo.com and in magazine form from all libraries in the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shires.
Copies have also been provided to local doctors, dentists, veterinary clinics, physiotherapists and hairdressers to place in their waiting rooms, and copies are being offered to local high school Year 10 to 12 history students.
“So we expect ‘Recollections’ will have a wide local readership,” Mr Lacey said. “As this is a community magazine, we are also encouraging readers to suggest topics that could be featured in future issues and are inviting local historians to submit articles for publication.”
The production of ‘Recollections’ is one of a number of innovations by the South Coast History Society.
In conjunction with the Bega campus of the University of Wollongong, the Society has organized a Masterclass for Year 12 History Extension students to help them with a major history research project that they are required to complete as part of their course. This will be run by Dr Glenn Mitchell of the University of Wollongong in Bega on Friday, February 24, and is a free activity.
Then on Saturday, February 25 an all-day “South Coast History Day” will be held at the University of Wollongong in Bega.
Seven well-known historians from the local area and from elsewhere will be discussing some of the major factors that have influenced the history of the South Coast. The $15 cost to attendees includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and the cost has been set at this exceptionally low level to make the day affordable to anyone who might want to attend.
Prior bookings for both these South Coast History Society events are absolutely essential and can be organised by phoning 0448 160 852.
Further information about the South Coast History Society and its activities can also be obtained by simply emailing ‘send me details’ to southcoasthistory@yahoo.com.
