Historical information

The Australian Historical Records Society existed in Ballarat between 1896 and 1906. They were one of Australia's first historical societies, and were in the position to still be able to talk to early pioneers. They invited such pioneers to either submit letters or memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings, where their reminiscences were taken down in shorthand and later typed up. The Society also attempted to preserve memorabilia from Ballarat's early days, but on the disbanding of the group in 1906, materials were stored at the Ballarat Town Hall and were later lost. It is not known how the papers made their way to the then Ballarat Municipal Library, but they have been part of the Library's collection for many years.

Physical description

Notes from a lecturette given to the AHRS by James Oddie, and recorded by Mr Coulthard, the Recording Secretary. James Oddie was born in England and arrived in Geelong with his wife and daughter in 1849. The gold lured him to Ballarat, where he witnessed the Eureka uprising. He was the first chairman of the Ballarat Municipal Council, and because of his many philanthropic activities and community involvement, is thought of as "the father of Ballarat."