(Note: This is a text excerpt. Refer to the newsletter PDF for the complete newsletter including images)
Aftermath Of June Exhibition @ The Hub
Following the Exhibition our mail has increased with enquiries, along with the outstanding sales of our “INVERLOCH” book, numerous people have even asked when our next display will be! We have most certainly gained some mighty ‘traction’ in Inverloch . demonstrating that the aims of our 21st. birthday have been well and truly met.
Your outgoing Committee and office hearers have worked very hard during the past year. and with the advantageous position we have gained from our June activities. the new Committee. and those who lead us. when elected at the August Annual Meeting. will have a busy task ahead of them
The sales of our “INVERLOCH” book have reached over 600. This is simply incredible Many were sold at the Exhibition. but we are most fortunate in having the continued sales of’ the book through several outlets – the lnverloch newsagent, the Post Office and the Information Centre Books are also for sale at the RACV and the two caravan and camping spots in lnverloch. as well as the Leongatha Newsagency We thank all the business who have so generously worked for us, Our product at $20. represents value, but also a much needed pictorial and information book on our delightful town and local countryside.
Guest Speaker
Colin Leviston proved to be an interesting guest, for he not only spoke about his work with the RSL, but told us about his interesting life story, which included working for the old State Electricity Commission in the Latrobe Valley. His creative talents were noted by the SEC. Like many of his generation, he was a community volunteer involved with the Scouts and his wife with the Cubs. Since his retirement to lnverloch, he has been busy preserving and presenting memorabilia of the RSL. Colin‘s many presentation skills can be seen on the walls of the RSL. The display is of considerable interest and with similar aims to our own Society, it is a lessons for us all to see what is achievable when one puts your mind to it – and when we have ‘our own home’. what our own possibilities are, Thanks to Colin. All members who attended appreciated his chat!
EPHEMERA – What is it?
Ephemera is a word often used in conservation circles. The dictionary can be quite misleading. but there is a strong clue as what it means for a historical society and conservationists point of view. It states- “a shorted lived thing of short termed usefulness eg: newspapers. theatre handbills”.
I’m sure we can‘t totally agree with that! What we preserve and store most certainly has long term usefulness. As for being short lived, then that depends upon how we store and manage the ephemera and the condition in which we receive it.
What then is ephemera that people like us at the Society collect? Well, let‘s start with newspapers and theatre handbills, as stated in the dictionary explanation. But let us also add photographs, real estate brochures. books. magazines, posters, tickets, etc. Immediately you can note that all such ephemera is paper based and subject to destruction as they are difficult to preserve. Photographs are especially sensitive. Excessive light and dampness can ruin any photo. Dampness and various kinds of mould can also totally destroy the likes of newspapers and books.
How we preserve such valuable pieces of ephemera is critical. A simple tin shed as a storage home is not the answer. 21st century presentation requires marshalling modern methods, be it acid free covers or air conditioning and a steady atmosphere. This is why preservation is such a costly and difficult affair when dealing with ephemera.
(Editor: John Hutchinson)