  |
|
The 2005 Exhibition
This year we were again in the Digby Memorial Hall, at the crossroad of the Hamilton-Dartmoor and Portland-Casterton roads.
Again this was a very popular venue, with more than 300 people enjoying the photos, the family history, and the afternoon teas. Visitors came from around the district, all over Victoria, and interstate.
There were so many photos to show that some were squeezed onto the path from the carpark to the front door where they were a sampler to show that entry would be well worth while.
This year we received a small grant from the Glenelg Shire Arts Advisory Board. Maintaining the Collection and mounting exhibitions is an expensive business, and we are grateful for all support.
We were very pleased with the level of community interest this year. Cheryl Emes and Jan Lier of the Casterton Historical Society were with us on both days, promoting their Society and taking care of the entry door (thanks VERY much).
Madeleine Say, from the State Library of Victoria, talks to Vern McCallum.
The McCallum Collection is somewhat different from those in state and national institutions as it is made up almost entirely of copies. Owners of photos are often very reluctant to let them out of their sight, and they are not at all interested in donating their cherished memories to large institutions. Vern's local knowledge and reputation, based on 30 years of collecting, allows to locate and access material that the more formal institutions miss out on.
Vern is concerned that his Collection goes - eventually - to a substantial, sustainable, home. The SLV could be that home, or could assist in finding a suitable alternative.
We had visitors from several local community groups. Here Lynn Lowe from the Mt Gambier Historical Society talks to Daryl Povey, who is well known to all local and family historians through his Ballarat and District Genealogy web site which covers the Western District.
Lynn, along with Beth White of the Nelson Historical Society and Shirely Foster of the Wando Vale Hall Committee, are investigating how the McCallum Collection can contribute to their coming events. Cooperation with the community groups benefits both parties, because the groups gain access to Vern's large depositry of local photos, and the Collection gains access to previously unknown photos held in the communities.
Not photographed, but also a keen visitor, was Dr Timothy Hubbard, Heritage Architect and Planner, who is an advisor to Glenelg Shire. We hope that Dr Hubbard, and the Shire, will see the McCallum Collection as an important record of a fast-disappearing heritage.
The Hamilton Spectator newspaper also paid a visit. This photo was one of several in the September 1st edition. It shows Joan Irving of Merino and Noel Hobbes of Hamilton, with Noel finding himself in a 1955 photograph of Merino Consolidated School students.
Group photos are always popular. In March 2005 the Collection made a major contribution at the 50th Anniversary of the move to the new Casterton High School premises. We have a section about Small Schools of the District elsewhere on this web site.
Michael Greenham has been a staunch supporter of the McCallum Collection for several years, helping with historical background, public relations and press releases, as well as putiing time into setting up and dismantling the Annual Exhibitions. Michael has an interest in military history, and this year prepared a section of the Exhibition on the topic of VP Day. He also displayed material about a photographer named Greenham, who Michael is researching - despite the photographer not being a relative.
Michael is associated with the Dartmoor District Coach House Museum.
The Digby Hall ladies have provided sustenance for our visitors for several years, with unchanging good humour. There is nothing like a cuppa with country cakes after several hours trawling through the Collection's massed photographs! They have also been a huge resource for adding information about photos in the Collection.
The combination of the photos and the afternoon teas puts much needed dollars into the Digby community through the Hall Committee. This year the Committee sent us a letter of appreciation, which we cherish.
Once again we projected a slide show of photos from the Collection in the Supper Room. Visitors could then see more of the Collection while enjoying the excellent light meals and afternoon teas provided by the Digby ladies.
This activity always provokes comments, and arguments, about the where, when and who of some of the photos, and has added much valuable information to the Collection.
Important !!
Don't let your photographic memories slip away. Add names, place and date NOW !!
