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.

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

Tolmie’s popular Tea Rooms will be redeveloped with the help of a $75,580 Victorian Government grant announced today by Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan.

Mr Ryan said the Tolmie Tea Rooms, Kitchen and Activity Room Redevelopment project would provide an aesthetically pleasing ‘fit for purpose’ community building that blends into the bush surroundings but meets modern standards of health, hygiene, safety and access.

“The Tolmie Tea Rooms, formerly the old Toombullup School House that was donated to the Tolmie community in 1959, is a two-room weatherboard building with a kitchen and a meeting/activity room,” Mr Ryan said.

“Despite the ongoing efforts of the community, the building, which is located next to the Tolmie sports ground, has serious structural issues and is in a condition that local builders and the Mansfield Shire Council say is no longer a cost-effective option to continue repairing and maintaining.

“The Committee of Management of the Tolmie Mechanics Institute and Recreation Reserve will construct a new building on the existing footprint, incorporating some of the key design features of the much-loved old building.

“The new two-room building will incorporate a secure commercial kitchen and meeting/activity room with secure storage space for local recreational groups as well as a 24-hour accessible ‘camp kitchen’.”

The Tolmie Tea Rooms, Kitchen and Activity Room Redevelopment involves:
• Demolishing the existing building and salvaging suitable building material;
• Constructing a new and extended building on a treated concrete slab;
• An internal fit-out, including a commercial kitchen, meeting room and camp kitchen;
• Installing solar panels for electricity, and installing gas cooktops and ovens.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “I have been pleased to have been able to assist and provide support to the Committee of Management with this grant application.

“As a regular attendee at the Tolmie Sports I really appreciate the importance of such community events and need for good facilities to run the events successfully. The improvements that this funding will enable will ensure that the Tolmie Sports and other local events will be even better in the future.”

Mr Ryan said the new building and its upgraded features and additional elements would offer increased functionality and provide the community with the versatile space it needed to host activities that enhanced community wellbeing and boosted local economic activity.

“The redeveloped building will provide a focal point for the Tolmie community to come together and participate in a range of activities and events,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Government funding for the Tolmie Tea Rooms, Kitchen and Activity Room Redevelopment project would be provided to the Tolmie Sports Association though the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.

Local community groups throughout the Benalla Electorate are able to apply for the latest round of funding under the State Government’s Local History Grants Program.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said that the program has been utilised in past years by local history groups to support projects that record histories and preserve important collections.
Dr Sykes said, “Last year the Jamieson and District, Mansfield and Benalla Historical Societies, Fawcett Mechanics Institute Reserve, Merrijig Public Hall Inc and the Violet Town Action Group Inc were all successful in receiving funding to undertake significant projects.
“The Benalla Electorate has many important stories to tell which illustrate our rich and diverse history.
“These grants support the networks of volunteers and community organisations that are custodians of our heritage and I encourage not-for-profit groups to apply for funding.”
The program is open to not-for-profit community groups and is run by Victoria’s Public Record Office.
Previously funded local history projects include newspaper microfilming and digitising, multimedia projects and on line exhibitions, physical exhibitions in community halls, historical murals and interpretive signage, book publishing and cataloguing and indexing projects.
Applications for the 2011/12 Local History Grants opened on 5 September and close on Friday 11 November.
For more information visit www.prov.vic.gov.au/community-programs/grants-awards.

Valuable local volunteering efforts have been boosted with the announcement of more than $3,000 for the Mansfield Alpine Four Wheel Drive Club to support track-clearing activities in the region.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan made the announcement while visiting the region with Member for Benalla Dr Bill Sykes today.
Mr Ryan said the Mansfield Alpine Four Wheel Drive Club was a valuable volunteer organisation that provided an important service to the community clearing Alpine National Park tracks in conjunction with Parks Victoria.
“The club will receive a grant of $3,130 which will go towards training for volunteers as chainsaw operators and the provision of appropriate safety wear and equipment,” Mr Ryan said.
“With the right training and equipment, club volunteers will be able to continue to clear specified tracks in the Alpine National Park prior to the tracks opening after the seasonal closure period,” Mr Ryan said.
Dr Sykes said the Mansfield Alpine Four Wheel Drive Club was one of a number of local volunteer organisations to benefit under the latest round of Victorian Volunteer Small Grants.
“The Alpine Shire Heritage Network, the Kiewa Valley Historical Society and the Myrtleford and District Historical Society have also received small grants to assist with activities in the areas,” Dr Sykes said.
“These small grants provide volunteer training and development programs and support materials and equipment for volunteering organisations and groups across the state,” Dr Sykes said.
Terry Sullivan, President of the Mansfield Alpine Four Wheel Drive Club Inc said, “The club wants to work with Parks Victoria in track clearing operations and in order to do this, members using chainsaws are required to have the relevant licenses.
“This funding will provide training for volunteers which will be done locally in the Mansfield area.”
Mr Ryan said more than 100 organisations across Victoria would receive over $464,000 in the latest round of grants to build the skills of registered volunteers and attract new volunteers.
“The Victorian Coalition Government greatly values the contribution volunteers make to Victorian communities,” Mr Ryan said.
“Volunteering builds strong communities, with the volunteer also benefitting from the experience by learning new skills, developing new friendships and experiencing a sense of fulfilment through helping others.”
Victorians interested in volunteering will find useful information and a range of volunteering opportunities at Victoria’s Volunteering Portal www.volunteering.vic.gov.au.

The Alpine Shire Heritage Network (ASHN) will benefit from a volunteer support and recruitment initiative with a $5,000 grant from the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government, Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes met with representatives from the organisation today at the Bright Museum.
He congratulated them on their continuing commitment to preserve significant historical data and artefacts and acknowledged the funding, provided through the Department of Planning and Community Development.
ASHN will use the grant to train volunteers in display making, artefact preservation, storage handling and movement of artefacts to enable them to work within the four museums across the Alpine Shire; Bright RSL Military Museum, Bright and District Historical Society, Myrtleford and District Historical Society and Kiewa Valley Historical Society.
Curator of the Bright RSL Military Museum, Bruce Nordeck said, “The funding will greatly benefit our regional museums and enable us to provide much needed training for our volunteers.”
Jan Mock, Community Building Facilitator Alpine Shire and Facilitator of ASHN said, “Since the establishment of ASHN the museums and historical societies are now talking to each other and sharing exhibits.
“This should enable us to be able to build a bigger and better tourism offering and make sure that the exhibits at the museums don’t overlap.
“The training for the individual members will provide the knowledge to look after collections better and to promote co-operation between the groups.”
Dr Sykes acknowledged the great work done by ASHN volunteers and the significant contribution made to the local community.
“Volunteering not only improves the lives of others, but also provides volunteers themselves with benefits, like learning new skills, extending their networks and providing a great sense of fulfilment by helping someone else.
“The Coalition Government is proud to support organisations such as the Alpine Shire Heritage Network and the valuable work that they do,” Dr Sykes said.
Dr Sykes concluded, “People interested in volunteering could find useful information and a vast range of volunteering opportunities by visiting Victoria’s Volunteering Portal at www.volunteer.vic.gov.au.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, said today that Victoria’s Heritage Grants are now open for 2011-12.
Victoria’s Heritage Grants is a core program that provides financial assistance to custodians of heritage places and objects.
The Victorian Coalition Government provided funding certainty for this program in the Budget, after it was revealed that the previous government had failed to provide ongoing funding for Heritage Victoria.
Much of the state’s heritage is managed by volunteers and not-for-profit groups, as well as local councils. The grants program provides support for the conservation of heritage managed by community-based organisations.
The program provides funding for repair works to publicly accessible and important heritage places and objects. This will ensure these important places can continue to be used and enjoyed by all Victorians.
“North East Victoria has many significant historical places and objects and I look forward to seeing this important funding used to ensure our past is appreciated and protected,” Dr Sykes said.
The Victorian Coalition Government has provided funding for 2011-12 of $1 million for programs, including the grants program.
Grants from $20,000 to $200,000 are available for repair of heritage places and grants from $5,000 to $20,000 are available for conservation of heritage objects.
The grants are provided for places in the Victorian Heritage Register or included in a Heritage Overlay. Objects must be included in the Victorian Heritage Register or be able to demonstrate a strong historical association with a place in the Register.
Information brochures and application forms are now available for downloading at http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/grants/all-grants/victorias-heritage-grants-for-places-and-objects

The mysteries, triumphs, hardships and legends that make up the rich history of North East Victoria will live longer and reach more locals thanks to the Baillieu-Ryan Government’s Local History Grants Program which aims to preserve and share Victoria’s past for current and future generations.

Dr Sykes said, “We are extremely fortunate in the Benalla Electorate to have active historical societies and community groups who are committed to preserving our rich local histories.”

Recipients of the Local History Grants Program for the Benalla Electorate are:

• Fawcett Mechanics Institute Reserve - $3,000 for a history booklet of Fawcett Hall to celebrate the reopening of the hall in 2011.
• Jamieson & District Historical Society - $4,500 to produce a 200 page hard cover book Jamieson: Emporium of the Ranges, written by Dr Brian Lloyd recounting the story of 150 years of settlement of the Jamieson district in the Upper Goulburn Valley.
• Mansfield Historical Society Inc - $8,026 to create a professional platform for collections management and family history research by cataloguing 600 photos and 100 family histories from the Mansfield district;
• Merrijig Public Hall Inc - $6,000 to identify, catalogue, preserve and electronically store historical documentation relating to the Merrijig Public Hall;
• Violet Town Action Group Inc - $4,000 to digitise the 1921-1956 Violet Town Sentinel located at the State Library of Victoria to make it accessible for locals;
• Benalla & District Historical Society Inc - $8,448 to place identifying plaques on sites surrounding the Mair Street Cultural Complex which will be linked to a total of 24 sites in a Heritage Trail walk/ride with accompanying brochure.

Dr Sykes said, “I congratulate all these groups for the initiative they have shown in ensuring local history is not only preserved but also made accessible to future generations.”

Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu said the projects funded by the Local History Grants Program reflected the wealth of stories that chronicle the rich and diverse history of a great state.

“These grants will ensure the many amazing stories of our past are preserved and shared with the community,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Discovering our history can help us to learn from the past and guide our future as a community, which is why the Coalition Government provided $1.66 million over four years in the 2011-12 Victorian Budget to continue the Local History Grants program and the Victorian Community History Award.”

The Local History Grants Program is managed by the Public Record Office Victoria.