The summer season starts with the story of Wonthaggi's cordial makers. By Catherine Watson
WONTHAGGI Historical Society’s mini history talks have become an unlikely highlight of the Bass Coast summer.
The talks, which started in the summer of 2022, explore the highways and the byways of Wonthaggi’s rich history, not just the big events – the unions, the mine, the social history – but the sports clubs, the characters, the mishaps, the pubs, the myths and legends.
The title says it all. 15 Minutes of History. Every day at 11.30am, from January 3 to 17, someone will give a talk about an aspect of Wonthaggi’s history. I’m yet to hear a dud speaker or subject.
Society president Faye Quilford, who organises the talks with the secretary, Irene Williams, says the popularity has grown by word of mouth.
“I think it’s because they’re quirky. Our presenters are passionate about their topic and that makes them eloquent. And it’s short and sharp. Start at 11.30am, finish at noon.”
WONTHAGGI Historical Society’s mini history talks have become an unlikely highlight of the Bass Coast summer.
The talks, which started in the summer of 2022, explore the highways and the byways of Wonthaggi’s rich history, not just the big events – the unions, the mine, the social history – but the sports clubs, the characters, the mishaps, the pubs, the myths and legends.
The title says it all. 15 Minutes of History. Every day at 11.30am, from January 3 to 17, someone will give a talk about an aspect of Wonthaggi’s history. I’m yet to hear a dud speaker or subject.
Society president Faye Quilford, who organises the talks with the secretary, Irene Williams, says the popularity has grown by word of mouth.
“I think it’s because they’re quirky. Our presenters are passionate about their topic and that makes them eloquent. And it’s short and sharp. Start at 11.30am, finish at noon.”
The 2026 series include Wonthaggi Cordial Factories, Childhood memories of living in a shop in McBride Avenue, The Amazon Shipwreck and the Wonthaggi Seedbank. The prosaic titles give no hint of the riches within.
Who knew that Wonthaggi had a world champion woodchopper? In the 1920s and `30s, Peter McLaren was so good that he was barred from most woodchopping events.
Who knew that Wonthaggi had a world champion woodchopper? In the 1920s and `30s, Peter McLaren was so good that he was barred from most woodchopping events.
Peter McLaren, left, pictured at the London Hippodrome in 1907 as part of an international stage show. Photo: W&DHS, courtesy of Barbara Moyle
Although the presenters for the summer series are seldom named, I will let you into a secret: the axeman’s story will be told by one of his descendants. Expect some juicy family stories.
This summer Faye is particularly looking forward to seeing Simon Gilliland’s acclaimed videos of the Bunurong Coast and hearing more about the Amazon shipwreck at Inverloch.
The particular charm of 15 Minutes of History is that once the presenter is finished, the audience has their go. It’s citizen history at its best. All of it is recorded and some of the sessions end up as stories in the society’s newsletter, The Plod, courtesy of essayist Carolyn Landon. I like to think that centuries hence, serious students of history will be enjoying these stories.
The second week of the program will spotlight items of interest in the Wonthaggi museum, with a presenter telling their unique story and answering questions.
Word has spread and more than 800 people attended last summer’s talks from the far reaches of the shire. Summer visitors who happened to be passing by listened enthralled to tall tales and true of life in a country town.
If you know what’s good for you, don’t miss a session.
The particular charm of 15 Minutes of History is that once the presenter is finished, the audience has their go. It’s citizen history at its best. All of it is recorded and some of the sessions end up as stories in the society’s newsletter, The Plod, courtesy of essayist Carolyn Landon. I like to think that centuries hence, serious students of history will be enjoying these stories.
The second week of the program will spotlight items of interest in the Wonthaggi museum, with a presenter telling their unique story and answering questions.
Word has spread and more than 800 people attended last summer’s talks from the far reaches of the shire. Summer visitors who happened to be passing by listened enthralled to tall tales and true of life in a country town.
If you know what’s good for you, don’t miss a session.