Dear Members,
The following is information about upcoming activities at the Blue Mountains Historical Society. Please check, in particular, the changed arrangements for the September and October Society excursions.
The latest information can always be found on the BMHS website in the Events Calendar in the dropdown menu under Society.
HISTORY WEEK ACTIVITIES
Meeting and Public Talk – 10.30am Saturday 7 September
Dr Meg Foster is the Chancellor’s Research Fellow in the Social and Political Sciences Faculty at the University of Technology, Sydney. Her talk will be based on her 2022 book, Boundary Crossers: The Hidden history of Australia’s other Bushrangers, which was shortlisted for the Magarey Medal in Biography in 2024. Her latest article, published in May 2024, is entitled Bandits, Heroes, and Villains: A view from a settler colony. Dr Foster’s talk is a not to be missed event.
Author’s and Researchers Seminar – 10.00am Wednesday 11 September
This event is being conducted as part of the BMHS History Week Activities. More information and bookings can be made by calling Chris Webber on 0424720676. Members and non-members are invited to attend.
Authors who have researched and published on topics relating to the history of the Blue Mountains will occupy display tables where they will promote and sell their published works. They will also be available to talk to participants about their historical research, writing and publishing processes. During the morning, several of the authors will also give short talks about their writing and research experiences.
Home Research Seminar – 10.00am Friday 13 September
This activity will focus on providing participants with the tools needed to research the history of houses using the resources of BMHS and the Internet. This activity can only cater for a very small number of people, so booking is essential. For more information, and to book, please contact Robyne Ridge on 0419985546. Members and non-members invited.
Changes to Dates September and October Excursions
September Excursion – Historic Parramatta – Thursday 19 September. Excursion Cancelled.
Please note that the excursion to Parramatta has been cancelled.
October Excursion – Blue Mountains Historic Hotel Crawl – Thursday 10 October
This excursion will now take place on Thursday 10 October, departing at 8.30am, due to the bus driver being unavailable on the normal Wednesday. This excursion will take the opportunity to visit several of the historic hotels in the Blue Mountains in Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba and Medlow Bath. Our guide at the Carrington will be the Carrington Historian, Mr Paul Innes. Lunch will be at your own cost at Katoomba RSL. Bus cost is $25.00.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL – 2024-25
Much thanks to those members who have already renewed their BMHS Membership for the 2024/25 Membership Year which runs from July to June.
A number of members have yet to renew as at the end of August. We greatly value all of our members and look forward to everybody continuing their support of the work of the Society.
A membership renewal form is attached, which includes advice as to how membership may be renewed.
Otherwise, membership can be renewed on our website by going to the membership page, completing the online form and paying the membership fee through the website shop to which you will be directed after clicking submit on the completed online form.
VOLUNTEERS
We would like to invite members to volunteer to help the Society in its various activities.
Opportunities to assist with Open Days (the last Sunday of each month), talk days ( the first Saturday of each month) and on Fridays and/or Tuesdays each week when the Society is open. Help on these latter days focusses on maintaining the Society’s resources and collection of historic material, as well as undertaking research on behalf of the community and to add to the Society’s resources .
If you have any questions about volunteering, please ring Robyne Ridge on 0419985546 or email the Society on bmhs@bluemountainshistory.com.
Robyne Ridge
Vice President
Blue Mountains Historical Society
