GENERAL MEETINGS
Our General Meetings are held at the Willoughby Room, Willoughby City Library at The Concourse, commencing at 2.00pm on the second Saturday of even months (except December).
Members and the public are invited to attend.
At each general meeting we have a guest speaker talking on a historic topic of interest.
Read about our meetings and historical talks
11 August 2018 WDHS&M Website and Facebook
Committee members Terry Fogarty and Rob Wilson will demonstrate features of the Society’s Web site and Facebook pages.
willoughbydhs.org.au
9 June speaker:
Jo Harris on the Centenary of first wireless message in Australia in the north shore
On the base of this monument, a bronze tablet is mounted and tells the story of the event: The first direct wireless message from England to Australia, sent under the direction of the Marchese Marconi, from the Marconi wireless station, Carnarvon, Wales, was received by E. T. Fisk, in the experimental wireless station attached to his residence, Lucania, here on 22nd September 1918. (An Epoch of Radio Communication AWA (Sydney, 1935), p. 5)
This achievement represented Australia entering the scientific-technical world. But most importantly, it connected Australia not only with its mother country but with the rest of the world. All further developments of long distance radio communication, which have so effectively overcome Australia’s isolation, have grown from the scientific work carried out in 1918.
April speaker:
Brian Scott on the Business History of the Lane Cove River.
With timber merchants and boatmen, orchardists and aldermen, the development of the Lane Cove River is a compelling yet curiously under-appreciated history. Brian Scoot, the author of “The Business of The Lane Cove River from 1788”, will recount the story of this important piece of Sydney history in meticulous detail.
Brian provides a wide-ranging examination into the commercial, industrial and recreational uses of the river dating back to the beginning of white settlement in 1788. This talk will span the length of the river, from Cockatoo Island to Ku-ring-gai, and introduce pivotal figures including pioneer convict landowners, influential industrialists, and enterprising entrepreneurs.
Brian will also talk about the Economic Framework and Foundation of the NSW Colony from 1788- 1855. This is follow on from the river book, explaining how the Colony became an economic powerhouse enjoying the greatest GDP per capita in the world up to the end of the 19th century.
June speaker: Jo Harris on the Centenary of first wireless message
August speakers: Terry Fogarty and Rob Wilson on the Society’s website and Facebook page.
Past Talks
Historic talks are part of our General Meetings held at the Willoughby Room, Willoughby City Library at The Concourse, commencing at 2.00pm on the second Saturday of even months (except December).
The business of the Lane Cove River
April speaker: Brian Scott on the Business History of the Lane Cove River.
With timber merchants and boatmen, orchardists and aldermen, the development of the Lane Cove River is a compelling yet curiously under-appreciated history. Brian Scoot, the author of “The Business of The Lane Cove River from 1788”, will recount the story of this important piece of Sydney history in meticulous detail.
Brian provides a wide-ranging examination into the commercial, industrial and recreational uses of the river dating back to the beginning of white settlement in 1788. This talk will span the length of the river, from Cockatoo Island to Ku-ring-gai, and introduce pivotal figures including pioneer convict landowners, influential industrialists, and enterprising entrepreneurs.
Brian will also talk about the Economic Framework and Foundation of the NSW Colony from 1788- 1855. This is follow on from the river book, explaining how the Colony became an economic powerhouse enjoying the greatest GDP per capita in the world up to the end of the 19th century.
St Mary McKillop
February 2018 speaker: Bob McKillop on the life of St. Mary McKiIllop.
Bob will gave an illustrated presentation on the life and times of Saint Mary MacKillop, with a focus on her contribution to North Shore Catholicism.
History of Education
Saturday 12 August 2017
Our speaker will be writer and teacher Elizabeth Butel, whose book Arthur Roberts: a teachers’ journey, explores the history of early public education in New South Wales with particular emphasis on the challenged faced by teachers.
William Dawes
General Meeting & Talk, Saturday 8 April, Chatswood Library, 2 PM.
By Parramatta historian John Brock.
John has delivered talks on a wide range of subjects to groups such as ours over the years and his topic will be William Dawes who arrived in the colony with the First Fleet. A skilled surveyor and astronomer, Dawes was surveying the new buildings and roads for the expanding settlement. It is a story that encompasses many aspect of our early history.
WDHS Christmas Function
This year our Christmas function for members will be held at Paul Storm’s residence, 15 Johnson Street, Chatswood, from 2-4pm. Weather permitting, this will offer a garden setting with afternoon refreshment and entertainment, together with a hamper raffle. Bring a plate and enjoy they event. Further details in the December issue of the newsletter.
Australia’s airmail
Saturday 8 October 2016 – General Meeting. 2 PM, Chatswood Library
Edward Wolf as guest speaker on the Postal contribution to Australian Airmail. Based on 
the speaker’s interest in aviation, philately and history, this illustrated presentation will cover the first four decades of aviation airmail services. This was the early period of Australian aviation with companies such at Western Australian Airlines, QANTAS, Australian Aerial Services and Australian National Airways all competing for a limited market. Well-known pioneer aviators of the period 1921 to 1934 will be covered and the presentation concludes with the leap into international air services.
Saturday 3 September, 58 Johnson St, Chatswood – Special Exhibition
‘Meccano Day’ at the Museum
10am-4pm
Our friends at the Meccano Club will be back in action with their creations based on the new-era Meccano sets now availanlre.
Adults $5, concession $4, children $2; family $10.
Saturday 8 October, General Meeting, the Willoughby Room, Chatswood Library
Commencing at 2.00pm on the second Saturday of even months (except December).
Henry Parkes
Saturday 13 August, Willoughby Library – General Meeting, Free
The Man Behind the Beard
Ian Thom, Great Great Grandson of Sir Henry Parkes and Chairman of the Henry Parkes Foundation will be telling us about the early life and struggle his famous ancestor had to overcome on his way from poor beginnings in Coventry to becoming five times Premier of NSW.
Ian will bring some personal items of Henry’s to display including a lock of his famous white hair.
