About
Cohuna and District Historical Society (Inc. A 0023886 E) Cohuna & District Historical Society was formed on 3rd April 1970. Meetings were held at the High School until July 1971, and then in the old Memorial Hall Library room until 1984. Hobbies & Collectors Days (1972 -1985), drew many interested collectors. Other projects include a request for a way-side stop at Major Mitchell's camping site at Wee Wee Rup, the marking of the Major Mitchell tree on the Barr Creek at Koroop in 1975, and markers at original school sites in 1998.
In 1975, Cohuna celebrated its Centenary, and the Society published the first of its books, "Unlock the Land", a history of the district from the earliest days. Family Centenary Certificates, have been presented to families on their achieving 100 years of settlement in this district. In 1982 Cohuna Historical Society Co-operative was formed, and (following the formation of the Uniting Church), purchased the Cohuna Scots Church and Hall, to display and store the extensive collection of exhibits, photographs and records.
Cohuna Historical Centre was officially opened on 17th November 1984. The Co-operative was dissolved in 1991. The Old Church building has become the Museum for exhibits and special displays. The collection contains a variety of old household items and memorabilia of the district, including a fence post cut by Albert Jacka, Australia's first V.C. winner in World War One, who worked in this district prior to the war; part of an original tree marked by Major Mitchell; the Macorna Telephone exchange; and a potato-masher originally owned by the mother of Ned Kelly. The Archive & Photographic Collections are housed in the adjacent purpose-built brick Archives building, Stage I opened 1992 and stages II & III (facilities & museum storage) in 2000. A large compactus unit is installed in the fire-proof room. Family & Local History Research (photocopying, plus a small fee) can be arranged, or you may prefer to do your own research. Researchers are requested to donate a copy to our archives. Genealogy classes, using our microfiche collection, are held regularly. All acquisitions in both Museum & Archives have been donated by the community whilst Indexing and Research are carried out entirely by volunteers. Donations by Local Service Clubs, organisations, and individuals, include display cases, furniture and the compactus.
The Old Church Hall (where the display cases contain a collection of photographs of Cohuna and district through the years) has become the centre of fund raising activities and "Trash and Treasure" sales (our major fund-raiser) are held in the hall on a regular basis. Cohuna Historical Society Museum received Accreditation from Museums Australia (Victoria) on International Museums Day, May 2001.
Our collection
Cohuna &b District Historical Soxciety Inc. Collection (1970)
This collection, established in 1970, is held in the former Cohuna Presbyterian Church. Key strengths of the collection are photographs and archives documenting the local history of Cohuna and surrounding district. Special items include a fence post cut by Albert Jacka, Australia's first V.C. winner in World War One, who worked in this district prior to the war; part of an original tree marked by Major Mitchell; the Macorna telephone exchange; and a potato-masher originally owned by the mother of Ned Kelly. The collection is managed by volunteers. Facilities are provided for researchers.
Themes: Building towns, cities and the garden state, Building community life
