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The Tasmanian Historical
Research
Association has continued much the same way as previous years. Our 435
members
could attend monthly lectures, or any of three excursions. We publish
three
issues a year of our journal, THRA Papers
and Proceedings.
As
usual, the Association hosted eleven lectures. They covered a variety
of topics
and were given by a variety of lecturers, ranging from staff of the
Tasmanian
Museum and Art Gallery and the University of Tasmania to enthusiastic
amateurs
and overseas and interstate speakers:
.
The Eldershaw Lecture by Dr
James
Broadbent was particularly interesting and wonderfully illustrated. It
was held
in the Dechaineux Theatre at the School of Art. Other lectures were
held in the
Royal Society Room of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Attendance
averaged
fifty, and as usual members enjoyed Michael Roe’s minutes, especially
his
summaries of previous papers.
As
in 2008,
the Association published three issues of Papers
and Proceedings, edited by Heather Felton. They contained 264
pages, with
16 papers and 6 book reviews – similar to the totals for all years in
the last
decade. Topics of
the papers varied from
smallpox and vaccination to climate change, female arsonists
transported from
Ireland, and the search for Tasmania’s highest mountain peak. Two
‘Tasmanian
Lives’ were included, by Bruce Davis and Vera Fisher. Of the fifteen
authors,
six were published by THRA for the first time. Nine papers had been
presented
to the Association.
Each
issue of Papers and Proceedings was
accompanied by an informative newsletter, produced by Stefan Petrow.
The hard
work of posting Papers and Proceedings
was done by various people including stalwarts Ross Kelly, Michael Roe,
Stefan
Petrow, Margaret Glover, Caroline Homer and Alison Alexander.
The
Association hosted five excursions during 2008. In the March weekend
members
travelled around the Campbell Town district, following the course of
the Isis
and Macquarie rivers. This
enjoyable and
interesting excursion was ably organised by member Mary Ramsay whom we
thank
most appreciatively. Members were especially pleased to be able to
inspect
several notable historic houses, and no one will forget the climb to
the top of
the hill where Eliza Forlonge established her merino flock.
In
June we had a most interesting tour of the National Trust’s historic
house,
Runnymede at New Town, ably escorted by the Curator, Gemma Webberley,
and a
volunteer. Afternoon
tea in the music
room was much enjoyed.
In
October we visited Woodsdale where the local historical society have
extended
their range of museums to include a machinery shed and a wool exhibit,
as well
as a display of the district’s bridal finery from the last century.
This was
much enjoyed, as was the peerless morning tea and lunch, and visits to
the
church, the old school museum and the shed made of kerosene tins. After lunch we visited the
property of
Stonehenge and the township of Swanston, where Vera Fisher spoke to us
and the
owner, John Tribolet, kindly allowed us to see over his property.
Many
members attended the biennial Tasmanian historical societies’
conference,
hosted by the First Settlers Association.
This attracted a large audience, with
speakers tackling various aspects
of the theme of early Tasmanian businesses.
Our
attractive new website was available in early 2009, under the direction
of
vice-president, Ian Terry. It
has been
most successful, and much appreciated by members. THRA had no major
publication
in 2008, though several are being planned. Sales of previous
publications
continued, ably organised by Margaret Glover.
THRA
continues to be a member of the Federation of Australian Historical
Societies
and our delegate, Dianne Snowden, attended FAHS’s annual conference and
represented THRA in FAHS’s regular teleconferences.
The
committee functioned particularly harmoniously during the year: as well
as
members mentioned above, thanks to Andy McKinlay (secretary), Ross
Kelly
(treasurer) and Caroline Homer (supper). Our custom is that president
serve
three-year terms and so I am stepping down as president, after three
enjoyable
years.
THRA’s
finances remain sounded, though it was necessary to raise the
subscription for
2010 to $45 for personal members.
The
committee considered the case for a reduced subscription for members
who did
not want to receive Papers &
Proceedings, but decided against it. Sadly, some long-term
members passed
away during the year, notably Hugh Campbell, Honorary Life Member and
co-editor
for many years. On a more positive note, one of THRA’s founders, Bob
Sharman,
has recently returned to live in Hobart and has agreed to become our
Patron.
In
conclusion I would like to thank all those who have assisted the
Association
during the year. A voluntary association like THRA depends on many
members for
assistance in all sorts of ways, and this is much appreciated.
Alison
Alexander,
President
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