By Romy Stephens
The Lilydale and District Historical Society has unveiled a new display that recognises the contribution of seven local historians and authors.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence officially opened Writing for the Future on 1 February at the Old Lilydale Courthouse.
Yarra Ranges Councillor Tim Heenan also attended the launch.
The display detailed the personal stories of the society’s late members Leigh Blackburn, Ruby Kwijas, Keith Lithgow, Jack Lundy-Clark, Val Sheehan, Sandy Ross and Pamela Vestey.
Lilydale and District Historical Society president Sue Thompson said the display will highlight the stories of these past members and feature their publications.
She said members will now be able to put faces to names on publications.
“This was the idea of one of our committee members, to pay homage to our past members who have contributed in the written word to the history of our society and the history of the district,” she said.
“People volunteered to take on one of the people and they did their research and produced material that’s up on the boards.
“They actually found out some material that I didn’t know about these people.”
Ms Vallence said the contributions from featured members have played a vital role in documenting the region’s past and informing its future.
“It’s an absolute honour to be able to launch this year’s display Writing for the Future and recognise the contribution of seven wonderful local historians and authors,” she said.
“We’re very lucky to live in a magnificent part of the world here in the Yarra Valley and the Ranges… We have a wonderful, rich sense of community and history.
“Without history, we wouldn’t be able to understand our past and we wouldn’t be able to use it to forge a better future for ourselves and for our local community.”
Writing for the Future is now open for the public to view during the Lilydale and District Historical Society’s opening hours.
The society is loacted at 61 Castella Street, Lilydale.
It is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 11am to 4pm and Fridays 1pm to 4pm.
