Recent local funding announcements are good news for the preservation of history of in the Hepburn Shire.
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On a leisurely drive across the shire, from Fraser Street Clunes to Daylesford Town Hall, it is clear to see we are blessed with a rich history – present in both architecture and stories shared over time.
A small hall stands at Eganstown, known as St Francis Xavier chapel.
The weatherboard chapel which dates to 1867 holds significance historically as a heritage-listed building, but also tells a story of Goldfields history.
The chapel and cemetery were built on land donated by pioneer pastoralist and gold discoverer John Egan and the building was used as both a church and school until 1889.
A $180,000 state government grant to support exterior conservation and restoration work is a welcome investment to ensure the weatherboard chapel hall can continue to represent a story of Eganstown’s history.
Similarly, local history grants to two Daylesford community groups will help ensure the preservation of local stories into the future. Both Chillout Festival and Daylesford and District Historical Society were awarded funding on Thursday.
ChillOut Festival has become one of regional Australia’s biggest LGBTQI festivals.
A $14,200 local history grant will help the ChillOut committee document and archive the festival’s history.
The grant comes at a fitting time as the celebration moves into its 21st year.
Cataloging ChillOut’s archive on a community database will mean the community can access information now and for generations to come.
Further funding was allocated to Daylesford and District Historical Society to create a short film remembering the tragedy of Daylesford’s three lost children.
The tale of three boys who wandered from their home in Daylesford on June 30, 1867 and were never seen alive again has become a well-known story in the town.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the boys’ deaths.
We are grateful for the many volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve Hepburn Shire’s history.
As communities continue to face new challenges and make advancements through projects and initiatives, it becomes clear that reflecting on the past can teach valuable lessons for the future.