- Published on
By Geoff Ellis
“I’LL try not to rabbit on – but I am a Quilford!” Reece Quilford was addressing a small crowd who were on the edge of the seats.
From the shade of the old Wonthaggi railway station Faye Quilford looked proudly on as her son delivered a well researched 15-minute historical yarn about Jim McDonald, the last of the “shack dwellers” from along the Bunurong Coast.
It was the finale to 22 short talks as part of “Wonthaggi - Discover Our Secret” delivered in the first three weeks of January.
“I’LL try not to rabbit on – but I am a Quilford!” Reece Quilford was addressing a small crowd who were on the edge of the seats.
From the shade of the old Wonthaggi railway station Faye Quilford looked proudly on as her son delivered a well researched 15-minute historical yarn about Jim McDonald, the last of the “shack dwellers” from along the Bunurong Coast.
It was the finale to 22 short talks as part of “Wonthaggi - Discover Our Secret” delivered in the first three weeks of January.
Faye Quilford, who is president of the Wonthaggi and District Historical Society, said the large crowds who attended the talks were drawn to listen to people who were passionate about particular aspects of local history and could engage people with facts and some local conjecture. That passion was certainly on show for Reece’s talk.
Another factor in building an audience was consistency, Faye said. Speakers and volunteers were there every day, rain or shine, and word spread.
She praised the efforts of the society’s volunteers. As yet another example of hard-working community groups who ensure visitors and locals see Bass Coast at its best, some were in attendance from early morning to late afternoon on each of those 22 days to make sure everything was just right.
Many visitors took up the invitation to explore the society’s newly expanded home. Faye pointed out that the extra space shows that the railway station is a museum, not just a crowded space.
There are plans for more fascinating talks during the Easter holidays. As one of the volunteers said, “I could live to 150 and still not get through all my notes.”
Watch this space: https://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
Another factor in building an audience was consistency, Faye said. Speakers and volunteers were there every day, rain or shine, and word spread.
She praised the efforts of the society’s volunteers. As yet another example of hard-working community groups who ensure visitors and locals see Bass Coast at its best, some were in attendance from early morning to late afternoon on each of those 22 days to make sure everything was just right.
Many visitors took up the invitation to explore the society’s newly expanded home. Faye pointed out that the extra space shows that the railway station is a museum, not just a crowded space.
There are plans for more fascinating talks during the Easter holidays. As one of the volunteers said, “I could live to 150 and still not get through all my notes.”
Watch this space: https://www.wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/
The Wonthaggi Historical Society's newly expanded home at the old railway station
1 Comments
Congratulations to all at WDHS! What a huge year you have had with your extension, moving everything around and then kickstarting such a great talks program during the summer. I am only sorry I am not able to get there atm, but very much looking forward to doing so once I have the right gear. I am very curious to see how the bigger museum space is working for your wonderful collection.