Historical Society
This plaque is located opposite the entrance to the Historical Soc, 43 Grayland St.
Cobden and District Historical Society’s aim is to collect and preserve items of local history, including treasures from schools, our dairy, beef and sheep industries, war memorabilia, etc.
Helped by the Heytesbury and Camperdown societies and at the request of many locals, we established our group in 1985.
A meeting on September 30th 1985 at the Cobden Civic Hall, convened by Joan Dunstan and chaired by Heytesbury Shire President Cr L J Howarth, resolved to form an historical society. Robert McAlpine, president of the Camperdown group, addressed the meeting of about 12 people.
Support was offered by Ray Baker (Cobden Technical School) and Cr Howarth who said the shire would investigate the availability of a suitable site for the society’s headquarters.
A committee was appointed to proceed with the society’s formation and, in October, office-bearers were elected – Joan Dunstan (president), Jennifer Kripp (vice-president and scrapbook recorder), Jack Morris (secretary), Ray Baker (treasurer), Joy Bateman (librarian/recorder).
Efforts were made to procure the old railway station as the historical society’s base soon after its establishment in 1985 but, eventually, V-Line decided to sell it at market value.
We are fortunate to have been in our own home since 2004 – the old Chocolyn Hall in Grayland St, next to the Pioneer Park.
From 1987, we successfully ran the local art festival for 20 years. Some of the artists involved were John Gardner, Ernest Vogel, Chris Inglis, Muriel Podger, Joyce Milne, Wilma Fagan, Peter Sullivan, Paul Horne, Wendy Errey, Irene Zappelli, Fay Chenoweth, Lesley Barnewall, Bernice White, Joyce Milne, Ron Quick, Fiona Wood, Marion Fairweather, Ian Currell, Jennifer Sutterby, David Gay, Wilma Gay/McGreevey, Jill Dalziel, Rieteka Guersen, Robert Tantau, Kaye Rowney, Judy Warne, Cam Dwyer, Enid Cummins, Ian MacArthur, Gwen Geach, Gwenyth Benallack, June Barling and Reg Ramphlin.
In 1992, we participated in the re-enactment of the official opening of the Camperdown-Cobden-Timboon railway line and, in 1995 we participated in the “Back-to-Cobden” which commemorated 100 years of the Heytesbury Shire and 140 years of Cobden State School.
We have had books published including “Our Cobden and District 1840-1920” (compiled and written by Marilyn Rantall, Shirley Blain, Alan Hart and Alma MacDonald) and “100 Years Down The Line.”
Guest speakers have included Charlie Rutter (aboriginal sites), Stan Fenton, Alma MacDonald (the Winchcombs and Wilsons), Frank Northeast, Stan Lee snr, Alf Callaway, Dr Bill Barrett (Dr A H Barrett), David Pattishall Baker (the Baker family), Tom Robertson (Bostocks Creek), Geoff Baker (Tandarook Cheese Factory), Charlie Oates, Dr Les Wheeler (Vanuatu), Bill McKinnon, Geoff Mitchell (gun collection), Cr L J Howarth, Mr and Mrs Bill Blake, Jim Monk, Mr and Mrs Jack Morris, Madge Vagg, Jean Dunstone, Alf Wilson, Fred Wilson and John Benson.
One of Cobden and District Historical Society’s former members has donated her entire collection of hand-written history of Cobden and its families.
About 700 people viewed photos at the society’s photographic display in 1993. Updating the museum, apply successfully for grants and receiving generous donations from the local community is currently keeping the society busy.
In 2023, our current group of Janet Wason, Colin and Delia Kerr, Elizabeth Wilson, Judith Gribble and Jennifer Kripp would welcome assistance to keep our Historical Society up and about.
