Wyong Family History Group

Mr DAVID HARRIS (Wyong) [2.21 p.m.]: Understanding and honouring the history of a community is an important feature of any civilized society. Cicero, generally perceived to be one of the most versatile minds of ancient Rome, once said:

History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.

That is why I was delighted to attend the recent twenty-fifth birthday celebrations of the Wyong Family History Group at its rooms in The Cottage at Wyong Community Cultural Centre. Researching and recording family history is more than just a popular pastime for those with time on their hands. It is a very serious and important aspect of our community that helps us to gain an understanding of where we have come from and ensures that an accurate record of the life and times of our forebears is secured for future generations.

The Wyong Family History Group is a very active organisation with almost 400 registered members who believe strongly in, and thoroughly enjoy, researching and recording family history. It holds regular meetings and opens its rooms in Wyong to members and the general public for research. Workshop days are held each month at a local library and the volunteers in the group provide classes in family history for beginners and advanced students. The committee and volunteers, who freely give of their time, are also involved in many major projects aimed at recording information and history of the people of Wyong.

It is interesting to note that when the group began 25 years ago it had just seven books in its library. Its current collection of books, CDs and general resources is extensive and growing. There are currently many projects in the pipeline, with committees within the group diligently working on both fundraising to develop and research the resources. One of the most notable projects completed in 2006 was recording and transcribing of all the names from the tombstones, graves and plaques at Palmdale cemetery—30,000 entries in all. That work was done over three years and involved not only volunteers reading and recording the names that appeared but also in some cases cleaning the plaques and weeding around the sites. It was a mammoth effort in anyone's terms. This information is now available in book and CD form. The group is also working on a third volume of its Pioneers of Wyong book. These volumes cover pre-1930's up to pre-1950 and are an incredible record of the area.

The Wyong Family History Group invited members of the community to send in information and photos, all of which made for a very comprehensive history. There is a wealth of information amongst this group. The secretary, Mrs Colleen Wood, is very proud of all the members, past and present, who work tirelessly to provide both wonderful assistance for people researching their family history and who develop the valuable resources that can be accessed by not only local people by but also other history groups across Australia.

Colleen describes the late Keith Shakespeare, who was instrumental in setting up this group, as a "cornerstone of our society". Mr Shakespeare's vision for the Wyong Family History Group and efforts during his years of volunteer service are to be commended. His wife, Jean Shakespeare, represented him at the twenty-fifth birthday celebrations. Other members who deserve special recognition are Janice Barrett—who was also the Central Coast Woman of the Year 2007—and Esther Dean, who are both long-serving and tireless committee members who have received Life Member status.

This not-for-profit organisation provides a vital service in our community. The success and continuation of this group of volunteers is totally dependent on the dedication of its members and the funds raised through the sale of its publications and other fundraising events. Significantly, the Wyong Family History Group will host the 2009 New South Wales and ACT Association of Family History Societies state conference in September at Wyong Racecourse with the theme "From Home to the Hinterland". Colleen Wood spoke excitedly about this honour and the work that the volunteers will need to put into the conference to ensure its success. As with most volunteer community groups, the need for sponsorship is paramount and Colleen hopes that the community will get behind the group and support them financially. This is an important conference for the Wyong area and I will participate in fundraising activities to help ensure that it is a great success. As Oscar Wilde said:

Any fool can make history, but it takes a genius to write it.

I must conclude that the Wyong Family History Group has many geniuses.