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
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