Long-standing as a treasure trove of local history in references, documents, maps and a wealth of staff knowledge, the group decided to mark their three decades by organising a seminar as a way to provide further education. 

The seminar to be held at the Inverell East Bowling Club has been scheduled as a day full of all things genealogical.

Following morning tea and a welcome, Shauna Hicks from the Australian Women’s Register will speak about researching female ancestors and women’s organisations. 

Ms Hicks has multiple qualifications, diplomas and national awards in family historical studies, and is a Fellow of the QLD Family History Society.

Warren Skewes caught the group’s attention following an interview on ABC New England Northwest radio.

Mr Skewes is a saddlemaker in Moonbi has focused much attention on the transcription of his uncle Jim’s diary from Gallipoli and the Middle East which recounts being wounded twice in battle and surviving the war. Warren is currently transcribing Walcha digger William Robert Fischer’s WWI diary, and maintains a wide collection of war memorabilia.

Following lunch, Jennifer Milward of the Australian War Memorial will help shed light on researching Australian Military Service in WWI. 

Ms Milward has spent 30 years assisting people to trace family military history. She has decades of experience working within Defence libraries and Australian Defence Force Academy Library in all formats of data.

History teacher, museum education officer and cultural planner Christine Bramble will take the podium after Ms Milward. Ms Bramble has invested years as an author and editor about the history of nursing in wartime. She will tell the story of a NSW matron, Ida Greaves RRC, who served in the First World War.

Muriel Resta is the History Group secretary, and explained they decided to conclude the day with Shauna Hicks again, this time with a presentation ‘To blog or not to blog-that is the question’. Ms Hicks is the author of an active blog titled ‘Diary of an Australian Genealogist’.

An afternoon tea will follow and seminar participants will be welcomed back for a 30 year celebration dinner at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets for the seminar on April 26 at the Inverell East Bowling Club are $50, including lunch, and morning and afternoon tea. The cost for the anniversary dinner is $40 per person. 

For more information about the seminar, or to book a place for any of the events, please contact group secretary, Muriel Resta on 0428 221 893, president, Ann Plumb on 0431 052 825, or email the group info@inverellfamilyhistory.org.au with the subject heading “WWI Seminar 2014’.