Historical information

Alan Holt was keenly interested in the history of Surrey Hills. He worked in the Lands Department and drew up maps of the area based on research he conducted there in his spare time and after retirement. He also compiled a survey of owners / occupants of all Surrey Hills listings from Sands & MacDougall directories at 10 year intervals. These are meticulously entered into hand-written ledgers. All his work is also entered on to index cards.
With a lifetime's knowledge of local history and research techniques, Alan found himself after retirement, in constant demand as an amateur historian working for the Box Hill Historical Society and the History Group of the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. When the Surrey Hills Historical Society was formed, Alan and Edna became its first and only Life Members.
Alan began work in the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. In the 1950s-60s he moved to the Premier's Department where he assisted with the planning for the Queen's 1954 visit. He was promoted to Permanent Head of the Lands Department until retirement in 1972.
He was associated with the Surrey Hills Uniting Church all his life.
There is a copy of this photo in a brass frame.

Physical description

A colour portrait photo of the late Alan Holt.