Meetings

The society meets at the Uniting Church Hall (until further notice) on the first Monday of each month - February to December (except the AGM on a date in October to be advised).
Why not join us for interesting presentations, a cuppa and to catch up with other members.

Members are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities related to the work of the society.
Occasional working bees are held at the museum and volunteers are often sought to assist with short term projects in both the museum and archives.

Yandoo newsletter

Our monthly newsletter 'Yandoo' is circulated to all members to keep them informed of the latest news, activities and the work of the archives and museum.

Activities

Our new look website and payment facilities

Our our new look website will be completed by Anzac Day. With added features such as online membership, research enquiries, image orders and permission forms to contact us,
it is designed for ease of use by members, internet users and the adminstration of the society. You will no longer have to download forms, complete by hand, then mail or email unless
you choose to do so. Payments can be made direct to our bank account. The online sales of books and other items can be easily purchased with eftpos or credit cards.

Over time the website will grow with the addition of many other features as they are developed. The new website was made possible by grant funding from Museum and Galleries NSW with
the work being carried out by Jeff Mallow of JXL Network Solutions.

Our museum has been included in the digital updates with the is also equipped with a contactless payment facility for admission fees, donations and book sales.

New exhibition

In all communities there are exceptional individuals that stand out as leaders and pioneers though perhaps not recognised as such in their lifetimes.
The Yass Valley residents profiled in this exhibition are representative of those who made a diffrence to the lives of others whether it be locally, nationally or further afield.
None started life from a postion of wealth and privilege, and mnay were impacted by wars - either in the field or on the home front.
Health care and education are fundamental to any society as is good governance and cultural pursuits, all of which are abundantly evident in the profiles featured.
This exhibition is based on objects in our collections that have been used to gave a window into the lives of these locals.

Fossick for Fossils during the Canberra and Regional Heritage Festival.

The Yass and District Historical Society is pleased to be a part of the Regional Heritage Festival from 9 April to 1 May 2022.

The popular Fossick for Fossils event will run again this year as part of the Heritage Festival on Saturdays 16 April and 30 April.

The tours will take you in a self-drive guided tour on private property, approxinately 10 klms from Yass to explore the fossil beds made famous by Alfred Shearsby.
Tours will meet at Coronation Park, behind the Visitors Information Centre at 1.30pm with an expected finish time of 4.30pm. Sturdy footwear and a moderate level of fitness are required.

Bookings are essential by messaging 0450 338 379 or emailing peterjudithyass@gmail.com  Each tour has a limit of twenty-five participants so book early to avoid missing out.

The cost is $10 per person or $20 per family including up to two adults and children under 15 years. Tour bookings include free entry to the Yass and District Museum between 10am and 1pm on those days
to see the new Movers and Shakers exhibition and to see more about Alfred Shearsby who spent years exploring the fossil beds in the Yass Valley.

The museum will open every Sunday and public holiday during the Festival from 10am to 4pm.

Our doors may be closed but ...

Our archives continue to operate receiving enquiries by email and post - please see our Archives and Research page for full details.

We are pleased to announce ...

It was pleasing to learn that our third attempt to obtain grant funding for the installation of solar power at the museum has been successful and installed by Yass Valley Solar.
Local Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain telephoned with the good news and later confirmed that we have also been succesfull in obtaining a grant to provide training for
volunteers and to purchase contactless payment equipment which should assist our volunteers as well as our visitors. A further grant from Museums and Galleries of NSW has
enabled us to purchase a large number of textile boxes to rehouse part of our clothing collection and to revamp our website.

Strategic Plan for Yass & District Historical Society's 60th Anniversary.

Developing a four year strategic plan for the Society was successfully completed last week with the handover of the completed plan to Vice-President Adrian Cameron.

This year the society celebrates sixty years of service to the community, preserving and promoting the Yass district's rich history.

Management Consultant Elizabeth Goodfellow of local business eleven twelve Pty Ltd who supported the planning said "it was great working with the Historical Society -
the members are knowledgeable and while they love researching history, they also love to share stories with the community too. With the planning, we've worked to build
on the strengths of the members identified and in the next couple of years the focus for the Society will be on inspiring people witrh stories in and around the Yass district,
using events and projects that make it easy and enjoyable for more people to be involved and, collaborating with other local groups to share their storoes too."

Despite the difficulties imposed by Covid restrictions a comprehensive consultation process enabled the debvelopment of the plan that will take the Society into the future.
The process was financed by a grant from Museums and Galleries of NSW through Create NSW and undertaken by local business, eleven twelve Pty Ltd.

You will see the M&G logo on future promotional material for the Society.

This project is supported by Create NSW’s Volunteer Museum Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

Archives and research

While our archvies volunteers have returned to duties we have not yet reopened our door to visitors. Our space is not large enoiugh to accommodate visitors under the social distancing guidelines.
However we have been kept busy with increased numbers of enquiries particularly in relation to family history as people in lockdown get back to discovering their roots.
We now accept emailed enquiries which enables us to locate information in a more time efficient manner.

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All images on this website are the property of the Yass & District Historical Society Inc and must not be used for any purpose without the express permission of the Society.

This page last updated 20 April 2022