The Bonnie Doon Community Group will benefit from $4,035 through the State Government’s Local History Grants to present an information board that chronicles the history of Bonnie Doon.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the Coalition Victorian Government was committed to the preservation of local history, and acknowledged the hours contributed by historical societies in achieving that goal.
Dr Sykes today met with members of the Bonnie Doon Community Group to present them with a certificate from the Premier and Minister for the Arts in recognition of the grant.
Dr Sykes said, “Bonnie Doon has a fascinating history, particularly the relocation of parts of the old township buildings from what is now part of Lake Eildon.
“Interest in the town’s history has been reignited since water returned to the lake after more than 10 years of drought which has seen an increase in visitor numbers to the region. The soon to be opened Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail, which runs through Bonnie Doon, will also attract further tourists.”
President of the Bonnie Doon Community Group, Nola Evans said, “The Bonnie Doon Community Group are very pleased to receive funding from the State Government Local History grant to help us preserve and showcase our local history.
“In response to many requests for information a board with photographs and map telling the story of the now submerged original Bonnie Doon township will be displayed near the site. It will also indicate remaining parts of the old township such as the three churches, recreation reserve and cemetery.”
Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu said 58 Victorian community groups would undertake important local history projects this year thanks to more than $340,000 in grants through the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants program.
The projects include writing and publishing books, developing displays and exhibitions, oral histories, heritage trails and multimedia projects.
“The Victoria of today has been shaped by the aspirations and actions of millions of people and groups with a range of backgrounds – all with a fascinating story to share,” Mr Baillieu said.
“These community-based projects are driven by volunteers, whether through historical societies, community museums, cultural centres or primary schools. These groups work hard to gather and preserve historical materials and memories, and are passionate about telling their local stories.”
A full list of grant recipients is available on Public Record Office Victoria’s website www.prov.vic.gov.au

The local stories and memories that make up the history of the schools and churches throughout the Nagambie district will continue to captivate future generations thanks to the sweat and tears of dedicated volunteers supported by a $4,924 Local History Grant.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the Coalition Victorian Government was committed to the preservation of local history, and acknowledged the hours contributed by historical societies in achieving that goal.
Dr Sykes said, “The project will involve a history book about the many schools and churches in the Nagambie area, which at one time had more than 10 schools compared to the two that exist today.”
President of the Nagambie and District Historical Society, Elaine Lodding said, “This book is the third in a series of five and will be titled ‘The Four R’s – The Way They Were’.
“It will focus on the many schools and churches in Nagambie and district many of which have now closed. It is expected that the book will be completed by early 2014.”
Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu said 58 Victorian community groups would undertake important local history projects this year thanks to more than $340,000 in grants through the Victorian Government’s Local History Grants program.
The projects include writing and publishing books, developing displays and exhibitions, oral histories, heritage trails and multimedia projects.
“The Victoria of today has been shaped by the aspirations and actions of millions of people and groups with a range of backgrounds – all with a fascinating story to share,” Mr Baillieu said.
“These community-based projects are driven by volunteers, whether through historical societies, community museums, cultural centres or primary schools. These groups work hard to gather and preserve historical materials and memories, and are passionate about telling their local stories.”
A full list of grant recipients is available on Public Record Office Victoria’s website www.prov.vic.gov.au

ANZAC Day, 25 April 2012, is an important national occasion and a time to pause and reflect on the bravery and sacrifice made by our servicemen and servicewomen during two World Wars, other conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said, “This is a time for all of us to express our gratitude to the people who served in World War I and II, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, other threats of war including Afghanistan and peacekeeping missions around the world.
“They endured what they endured so that we may enjoy what we enjoy - living in the best country in the world.”
Dr Sykes said that this ANZAC Day he will join families of Lark Force members in Rabaul to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the tragic loss of life of Lark Force members during and after the fall of Rabaul in 1942.
Dr Sykes said, “There are very strong local connections to the Lark Force, many members were recruited from north east Victoria and they trained at Trawool prior to marching up the old Hume Highway in September 1940 en route to Bonegilla before being deployed to Rabaul.
“The thousand or so men of the Lark Force were no match for the many thousand Japanese who invaded Rabaul on 23 January 1942.
“There was no evacuation strategy and the command ‘every man for himself’ reflect poorly on the military and political leadership of the time.
“Some men were killed during the initial invasion, at least 130 were killed in the Tol Plantation massacre and many succumbed to disease and malnutrition as they tried to find their way back to Australia.
“Most tragically over 800 Lark Force members and over 200 civilians from Rabaul lost their lives when the unmarked Japanese ship the Montevideo Maru, which was transporting them back to Hainen Island, was torpedoed by the American submarine USS Sturgeon.
“Over 500 people, including some Lark Force veterans (and some Gull Force veterans who suffered similar massive losses on Ambon) attended the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the march of the Lark Force and Gull Force held in Benalla on Sunday 26 September 2010.
“One veteran, Norm Furness, with strong north east Victoria connections, conducted the commemoration ceremony at the Shire of Remembrance on 22 January 2012.
“Another person with strong local connections was Dr John Cooper who put his life at risk to protect the welfare of nurses who had chosen to stay in Rabaul in the knowledge of the Japanese invasion.
“There are many stories of the courage and endurance of Lark (and Gull) Force members and grief of families who did not learn of the sinking of the Montevideo Maru for several years nor the Tol massacre for decades.”
This year’s ANZAC Day posters also mark the 70th anniversary of two other battles from the Second World War; the bombing of Darwin and the campaign in Kokoda, papua New Guinea.
Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage everyone in the Benalla Electorate, young and old alike, to make the time to participate in a local ANZAC Day commemoration and to remember those who gave our lives for our country.”
For more information on ANZAC Day commemorations contact your local RSL branch.

Mansfield Shire Council has received $6,000 towards the provision of Heritage Advisory Services for 2011/12, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes said funding was used to provide Heritage Advisory Services through the appointment of an experienced professional to:
• Provide free advice to owners of heritage places;
• Assist councils with the management of heritage assets; and
• Promote heritage conservation in the municipality.
He said, “Mansfield Shire has a number of historically significant public and private buildings and homes and a very active Historical Society. I am sure the community will benefit from the provision of this service.”
Dr Sykes said advisors helped residents make appropriate decisions on restoration and development plans for heritage sites.

He said the funding was based on previous expenditure, reflecting each council’s commitment to preserving local heritage and council supplemented the funds with a minimum $1 for $1 expenditure.
Fifteen councils received the maximum funding. Four councils received $12,000, four received $8000 and 13 received between $3000 and $6000.
Planning Minister Mr Matthew Guy said the programs provided by Heritage Advisory Services, first trialled in Maldon in 1977, had been successful in developing a positive attitude towards heritage through the provision of free heritage advice to councils, communities and owners and managers of heritage properties.
“The benefits of these services are now evident in many towns with restored heritage buildings, appropriate signage and upgraded streetscapes,” Mr Guy said.
“These services have helped people recognise the importance of early buildings, their role in our social lives and how they can enhance streetscapes and enrich our understanding of the past.”
Mr Guy said the Heritage Advisors would also be used to assist councils with the development of a Municipal Heritage Strategy for their municipality, a Coalition planning commitment.

Strathbogie Shire Council has received $8,000 towards the provision of Heritage Advisory Services for 2011/12, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes said the funding was used to provide Heritage Advisory Services through the appointment of an experienced professional to:
• Provide free advice to owners of heritage places;
• Assist councils with the management of heritage assets; and
• Promote heritage conservation in the municipality.
Dr Sykes said advisors helped residents make appropriate decisions on restoration and development plans for heritage sites.

“Strathbogie Shire has a number of historically significant public and private buildings such as the Nagambie Presbytery and the Eliza Furlong Cottage in Euroa. I am sure the local community will benefit from this service.”

He said the funding was based on previous expenditure, reflecting each council’s commitment to preserving local heritage, and council supplemented the funds with a minimum $1 for $1 expenditure.
Strathbogie was one of four councils to receive $8,000. Fifteen councils received the maximum $14,000, four received $12,000 and 13 received between $3000 and $6000.
Planning Minister Mr Matthew Guy said the programs provided by heritage advisory services, first trialled in Maldon in 1977, had been successful in developing a positive attitude towards heritage through the provision of free heritage advice to councils, communities and owners and managers of heritage properties.
“The benefits of these services are now evident in many towns with restored heritage buildings, appropriate signage and upgraded streetscapes,” Mr Guy said.
“These services have helped people recognise the importance of early buildings, their role in our social lives and how they can enhance streetscapes and enrich our understanding of the past.”
Mr Guy said the Heritage Advisors would also be used to assist councils with the development of a Municipal Heritage Strategy for their municipality, a Coalition planning commitment.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes will open the upgraded Ruffy Hall on 29 January 2012. The upgrade was made possible by a $22,274 grant from the Victorian Community Support Grants (VCSG) program.

The project involved renovation and enclosure of an existing veranda space for all weather usage, associated landscaping and the addition of a disabled toilet to increase the multi-purpose functionality of this community hall.

The hall is the main activity hub for residents of Ruffy and many other small towns on the Strathbogie Ranges tablelands. The project has leveraged over 260 hours of in-kind volunteer labour, creating a strong sense of local ownership and bringing different community sectors together.

The project was a good community building exercise and involved and inspired the whole community, bringing locals and newer residents together.

Other project outcomes include:
• an accessible toilet;
• in kind support far exceeded initial expectations;
• increased capacity for larger events and more flexible use of space;
• sustainability improvement due to increased revenue resulting from the improved capacity and amenity and heating efficiencies;
• an improved indoor/outdoor space that encourages people to gather and linger; and
• improved accessibility and enhancement of the outdoor BBQ and rear garden area.

The VCSG program is now closed. Community projects can now be considered for funding through the Putting Locals First Program. Guidelines and information for the program is available at:http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/grants.

EVENT DETAILS
Event: Official opening of the upgraded Ruffy Hall
When: Sunday 29 January 2012
Time: 3.00pm
Location: 4 Nolan’s Road, Ruffy

Myrtleford Museum has received a $48,000 grant for building repairs, the Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced this week.
Dr Sykes said the project would enable the continuing operation of the former State School building by the Myrtleford and District Historical Society as a Museum.
It would also ensure the protection and development of the museum collection which is housed in six rooms.
Dr Sykes said the State School building was constructed in 1870, with additions made in 1875 and 1886.
John Taylor, President of the Myrtleford and District Historical Society Inc said, “To be one of a number of community projects funded across Victoria is very encouraging for our group of volunteers.
“It endorses the heritage value of the Old School and its collection and will help ensure long term protection of our artefacts for the community.”
While the original shingle roof remained in place under the existing iron roof in three of the rooms, the iron roof had deteriorated and would be replaced. Other works would include the replacement of downpipes and the reinstatement of finials.
Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said the grant was one of 13 community projects around Victoria being funded to preserve and protect significant heritage places and objects.
He said Victoria’s Heritage Grants supported local communities to care for and manage the state’s rich and diverse heritage, with this year’s program totalling $1.13 million.
Mr Guy said the grants recognised and supported the enthusiasm and commitment of many dedicated volunteer organisations which worked to preserve and safeguard our shared history.
Victoria’s heritage grants support the repair and restoration of publicly accessible and important heritage places and objects managed by local government and community not-for-profit organisations and are provided for places in the Victorian Heritage Register or included in a Heritage Overlay. Funding for heritage place grants totalling $500,000 was provided by the Victorian Property Fund. 

The former Benalla Shire Council Offices have received a $144,000 grant for conservation works, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes said the project would conserve and restore the significant fabric of the building, return the building to its original use and also enable the present council offices to be converted to a library facility for the community.
He said the works would mitigate further deterioration of the building, conserve an important 1950s civic building and upgrade the building to comply with regulations.
The former Benalla Shire offices were constructed in 1958 as the first of a number of municipal offices designed by architects Lines MacFarlane & Marshall. The building was used for this purpose until 1994 and retains a comparatively high degree of intactness for a late 1950s modernist public building.
Dr Sykes said the condition of the building had deteriorated due to inappropriate modifications and its recent lack of occupancy. The project would restore the building to again house council functions and to remove later modifications.
Most of the internal finishes and fittings have survived in good condition and the return to the original function will require minimal interior modifications. The council will fund other general building activities in the total $550,000 project.
Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said the grant was one of 13 community projects around Victoria being funded to preserve and protect significant heritage places and objects.
He said Victoria’s Heritage Grants supported local communities to care for and manage the state’s rich and diverse heritage, with this year’s program totalling $1.13 million.
Mr Guy said the grants recognised and supported the enthusiasm and commitment of many dedicated volunteer organisations which worked to preserve and safeguard our shared history.
Victoria’s heritage grants support the repair and restoration of publicly accessible and important heritage places and objects managed by local government and community not-for-profit organisations and are provided for places in the Victorian Heritage Register or included in a Heritage Overlay. Funding for heritage place grants totalling $500,000 was provided by the Victorian Property Fund.