General News
6 December, 2023
Celebrating days gone by
Langlands descendant Ted Stephens, 87, recounted significant Horsham history at the 60th anniversary celebrations for a Wimmera historical group.
Langlands descendant Ted Stephens, 87, recounted significant Horsham history at the 60th anniversary celebrations for a Wimmera historical group.
Mr Stephens' grandfather married Margaret Langlands, who was aged six when her parents George and Betsy travelled by bullock wagon from Melbourne to set up a post office in what was to become the City of Horsham.
Later the family established Langlands Store, the largest emporium west of Ballarat.
Mr Stephens, of Geelong, was guest speaker at a dinner in Horsham's Westside tabaret to celebrate the group's anniversary. People attending represented 52 historical societies across Western Victoria.
He also spoke about his newly released book The Langlands. After the lunch the group travelled by coach around Horsham, checking out historical sites with guide Helen Curkpatrick.
In 1963 Wimmera history lovers had formed the Western Victorian Association of Historical Societies (WVAHS) in an effort to have one voice for the region as well as to support lone groups in their quest to preserve history. The inaugural meeting was in McGennisken Hall at Horsham Showgrounds.
Representing the groups were Les Blake, Horsham; Bob (Boomer) Hicks, Kaniva; Basil Dodd, Arapiles; Ken Robb, Nhill district; Geoff Stephens, Hamilton; Maurie Robson, Stawell; Max Smale, Warracknabeal; Robert Blachford, Ararat; and Ron Falla, Donald.
Then Horsham Mayor Harold Schwarz chaired the initial meeting, declaring Mr Blake inaugural president.
An inspector of schools, Mr Blake was a renowned historian and was later to become a state government historian.
Another historian, Lillian McKenzie of Horsham, was appointed secretary-treasurer, with the committee also comprising Mr Stephens, Mr Hicks and Mr Dodd. Membership was set at one guinea ($2.10).
By 1964 other groups had joined the Wimmera group including Kyneton, Swan Hill, Camperdown and Lake Goldsmith Steam Society.
By 1972 there were 23 member groups, and that number is now at 52. Ms Curkpatrick is WVAHS secretary-treasurer.
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