President’s Report, March 2022
Now that COVID related restrictions have been lifted let us hope we will have our bi-monthly meeting on a regular basis.
In January we had a visit to the Castlemaine on Gem Pier. Although not a large number attended, it was quite enough when moving around fairly tight spaces. I’m glad I was not a sailor when the ship was in full operations! I don’t like the small spaces. Our guide, Richard, was very informative, with lots of anecdotes about life on board.
Just before our printing deadline I attended a meeting of the Western Metropolitan Group of Historical Societies at Altona Homestead. It was the first time in about 2 years that the group has met and the was a lot of catching up to do. The Altona and Laverton Historical Society have donated to our society a large book A Bush Hospital by the Bay: Altona Hospital 1932-1996. Full of information and some members may also have stories relating to the hospital. Werribee District Historical Society also donated a book Snippets of Wyndham History. I will bring them to our next meeting for members to see.
We still receive items for our collection, especially paper work and the work of sorting and cataloguing continues. Despite our very long absence from the Mechanic’s Institute, we don’t stop. There are some Historical Societies with virtually no space as a base.
Our next meeting is scheduled for 24th March at 7:30pm at the Williamstown Town Hall Council Chamber when our speaker will be Mike Smith.
Janet Long
President