Visitors are very welcome to attend these meetings.
If visitors wish to attend regularly then we would ask you to become a member and then you are eligible to attend our monthly excursions to places of historic interest and borrow books from our extensive library of history books..

The 2012 Programme

Saturday February 5
Speakers:  Erik Halbert and Ross Ellis
Subject:  Caves of the Blue Mountains - when is a cave a cave ?
Both men have been exploring, documenting and writing about caves of the Blue Mountains, Australia and many overseas locations since the 1960’s. They recently published a book titled ‘Sandstone Caves of Mt Victoria’ and they will share with us the stories of our caves and their colourful names, as well as their history of habitation and visitation.

For further information:  John Low  4782 3751

Saturday 3 March
Speaker: Hon. Robert ‘Bob’ Debus AM.
Subject : The Beryl McLaughlin Lecture 
Bob Debus has spent 23 years in both State and Federal Parliament representing the people of the Blue Mountains and his electorate. In State Parliament from 1981-1988 and again 1995 – 2007 he served as Minister for Finance, Corrective Services, Emergency Services, Energy, Tourism, Environment, and as Attorney General. In Federal Parliament as the Member for Macquarie 2007-2010, he served as Minister for Home Affairs before retiring from politics at the 2010 Federal election. The Society is honoured in having Bob Debus agree to share his reflections on a long political career for the first time publicly at our McLaughlin Lecture for 2012. An event on the calendar not to be missed..

The McLaughlin Lecture will be held at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts, Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls starting at 10.30am. Limited parking is available behind the School of Arts, with more spaces behind Wentworth Falls shops, or near Pitt Park. The venue is a 10 minute walk from the railway station with an hourly train service on weekends in both directions. We request a gold coin donation or greater from those attending to cover the costs of staging this event.

For further information: John Low 4782 3751

Saturday 14 April
……AGM will be held at the earlier time of 10.00am
(also note altered date due to Easter weekend on first Saturday of month)
Speakers: Joan Edwards and Mary Pow.
Subject: Two Aspects of Two World Wars
Following the AGM and morning tea, Society members Joan Edwards and Mary Pow will share with the audience a sneak preview of research or projects they have been working on. Mary has been transcribing the letters of Geoffrey McLaughlin from the battlefields of World War 1 to his family, and our emotional chords will be touched by his story. Joan is to soon publish a book on the Blue Mountains during World War 11 and how we lived and went about our lives during those times and how the ‘the war effort’ impacted on life in the Mountains. She will share some of this fascinating story with us.

For further information:  John Low  4782 3751

Saturday 5 May
Speaker:  Ollie Leckbrandt
Subject: Convict Stockades of the Blue Mountains and region
With the bicentenary of the crossing of the mountains fast approaching, this story of the convict work gangs that followed and the military supervision of them is opportune. Ollie Leckbrandt will share with us where the convict stockades were located, their purpose, the numerous military and other relics that have been found over time, and what remains of their locations today.

For further information:  Susan Warmbath 4757 3402

Saturday 2 June
Speaker: David Carment
Subject:  To be confirmed
David Carment is the new President of the Royal Australian Historical Society and this is his first opportunity to visit our Society and meet members. He is an Emeritus Professor of History at Charles Darwin University and holds a number of other history posts. His publications cover Australian federal political history, Central Queensland history, Northern Territory history, cultural heritage management and family history.

For further information:  Judith Barham 4757 3445

Saturday 7 July
Speaker:  Judith Dunn
Subject: Convicts
Judith has been described as having an infectious enthusiasm towards history, and was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2011 for her history work. She has written 4 books on the historic Parramatta cemeteries and among many activities finds time to operate Past Times Tours tour guide services of Parramatta. She will share with us the stories of convict’s lives, of the transport and gaol system that convicts endured in colonial New South Wales, and the larrikinism and inner strength that allowed convict women in particular to survive.

For further information:  Susan Warmbath  4757 3402

Saturday 4 August
Speaker and subject identified but still to be confirmed.   

Saturday 1 September
Speaker and subject identified but still to be confirmed

Saturday 6 October
Speaker and subject identified but still to be confirmed

Saturday 3 November
Speaker and subject identified but still to be confirmed

Saturday 1 December
No speaker at this months meeting.
Society Christmas function.