Community
28 April, 2026
Historic hosting gig brings in heaps for meeting
The Western Victorian Association of Historical Societies hold its annual general meeting last weekend and was hosted by the St Arnaud and District Historical Society.
A HISTORIC meeting has helped St Arnaud in a number of ways, bringing new faces and money to the area.
The Western Victorian Association of Historical Societies hold its annual general meeting last weekend and was hosted by the St Arnaud and District Historical Society.
Beverly Reid of the St Arnaud Historical Society said while hosting such an event can be logistically challenging for the host society, doing so is an excellent way for a group to showcase not only its collection but also its local region.
“The feedback from all attending was that the event was extremely well organised by our Society and attendees enjoyed exploring our local heritage sites and learning about our district’s history,” she said.
“With so many staying over for two nights it was also of economic benefit to St Arnaud.”
The WVAHS, formed in 1963, is a network of 53 historical societies throughout Western Victoria with member groups spanning the area from Ouyen and Swan Hill to Port Fairy, Colac, Maryborough and up to Echuca.
It is, both in terms of geography and membership, the largest network of historical societies in Victoria.
The network is divided into three Zones and each April a different Zone hosts the AGM. The
Wimmera Mallee Zone comprises 19 societies including, in the Horsham region, Arapiles, Dimboola, Nhill, Minyip, Warracknabeal, Jeparit, Rainbow, Horsham and Hopetoun societies.
At the meeting Craige Proctor, member of the Jeparit Historical Society and Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum at Jeparit, was re-nominated as President with Helen Curkpatrick of Haven continuing in the role of Secretary/Treasurer, a position she has held since 2010.
The WVAHS Executive Committee comprises people from Horsham, Stawell, Landsborough, Nhill, Jeparit, Charlton, Glenthompson and Mortlake.
“Despite the challenges of distance and the current uncertainty around fuel, around 65 people travelled to St Arnaud for the meeting,” St Arnaud and District Historical Society President Len Reid said.
“The WVAHS remains an active and supportive network for history struggling to carry out their work in the community.
“While a number can’t attend, this is not due to lack of interest or commitment but often because the members are running their own activities or opening their societies and museums. Historical Societies are dynamic and highly active organisations.’
It was a full program months in the making with the WVAHS leadership liaising with the St Arnaud Historical Society to ensure all attendees benefited from the event.
‘These events take a great deal of organisation and communication but they are always well attended and supported,” Mr Proctor said.
“For more than sixty years they have enabled member groups to share knowledge and insights and they continue to do so.”
Also attending was Dr Rosalie Triolo OAM, President of the Federation of Historical Societies. Dr Triolo often attends WVAHS events as she is highly committed to working with and supporting groups throughout ‘the west’. After a day of meetings including the AGM, many attended the dinner, at which St Arnaud local historian and publisher Scott Smith, spoke.
Most attendees stayed over to take part in a coach tour on the Sunday morning which showcased some of St Arnaud’s heritage sites including the unique Pebble Church at Carapooee and the Kooreh Hall.
The group looks forward to planning ahead for the year.
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