Oral History

The importance of oral history to preserve what we know about the past is becoming much better understood.

“Oral History” means recording and storing people’s memories of their experiences.

Indeed, although the term “oral history” was only coined about 80 years ago, its origins go back much further. In fact, all we know about the Pelopennesian War is based on stories from participants that were told to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides.

We realise the importance of storing this during the lifetime of those who hold this information.

Our General Meetings actively support the tradition of oral history by supporting a wide range of people to tell us what they know about the history of Donald and its environs.

As a result,we have gathered transcripts (), video () or audio recordings () of many of these talks.

We’re now in the process of converting these archival resources into video presentations, audio podcasts or written transcripts so we can share this Oral History more widely amongst the community.

As we process these, they’ll be published on this page.

The “search” item on the menu bar will help you to find a topic that interests you.

To listen to any of these recordings or to read a transcript, simply click on your selection.

2022

Andrew Borg – History of the Buloke and NorthernGrampians Landcare Network – May 2022

Bob Baker – Ramblings – March 2022


2021

Stacey Morris – Women in Rural Business – April 2021

Trevor Campbell – The story of Donald APEX – March 2021

John Kumm – The Story of Frederick John Cato – February 2021

2020

John Kumm – The Story of Frederick John Cato – April 2020

Linton Reilly – Recollections of the Donald Rifle Club – March 2020

Norm Hollis – History of the Hollis Family – February 2020

2019

Clive Barrance – Stories of Georgie Ah Ling – October 2019

Adam Campbell – Environmental Water Flow – September 2019

Anne Walsh – The History of W.H. Gray – July 2019

Chris Guthrie – Status of the Rich Avon Project – June 2019

Yvonne Dunstan – Telephone Party Lines and Telephone Exchange Girls – May 2019

Brian Mellican -The Genealogy of the Mellican family over many generations – April 2019

Brian Bayles – The History and Development of the Buloke Times – March 2019

John Stuchbery – Innovation and changes in agricultural practices in the Donald district – February 2019

2018

Harold Flett – History of wheat farming in the Donald district – October 2018

Anne Walsh – History of the Walsh Family – July 2017

Bill Freeman – Oakley Thompson and Co. Retrospective – March 2018

2017

Pam Barber – Early maternal health and childhood development – June 2017

Anne Walsh – Story of the Donald Industrial Estate – September 2016

2016

Nathan Harris – THe Australian Eatwell Story – August 2016

Carey Brennan – the Brennans of Corack East – April 2016

2015

Kathy Hose – 50 Years at Donald Hockey Club – July 2015

Michael Donnellon – My experiences at Gallipoli 100 year celebration – June 2015

Robert Dunstan – History of the Cope Cope CFA – May 2015

Harold Flett – Drought, Floods and Farming – February 2015

2014

Tom Guthrie – Discussion About The Longest Drive – November 2114

Pat and Jim (Spud) Hepworth – The Hepworth Family – October 2014

Leigh Hammerton – Story of the Murtoa Stick Shed – August 2014

Robert Broadhurst – History of Soft Drink Bottling Factories – April 2014

2013

Ivan Landwehr – Laen History – September 2013

Robert Loats – History of the Donald Angling Club – January 2013

2012

Bev Gilmour – 100 Years of the Donald Croquet Club – May 2012

2011

Jim Murray – History of the Donald Timber Yard – April 2011

2009

Ron Falla and Lil Kirk – On the road with sheep – May 2009