General News
3 March, 2026
Power of social media
Love it or loathe it, social media can be a powerful tool for any group to raise its profile in the community.
Traditionally historical societies have not been known for being innovative in the ways they engage with others.
But for many years, I have worked with quite a few societies to support them in navigating the sometimes bewildering path of utilising Facebook to promote themselves.
Within the past ten years many historical societies have embraced using Facebook – and now even Instagram – as a communication and information-sharing tool.
Allow me to share with readers how the Jeparit and District Historical Society has not only managed to raise its profile and community reach but also its membership and thus its viability.
JDHS launched its Facebook page almost eighteen months ago.
Originally the purpose was to let the local community know that we existed and that we were ‘open for business’.
Little could we realise the impact this would have.
Currently we have just under 1,000 Followers which means almost 1,000 people have made the conscious decision to be notified of posts; with way fewer than 1,000 people in Jeparit and district, this shows that our reach is far and wide, something which has surprised us.
What do our Followers enjoy?
Most love seeing very old photos they’ve not seen before: streetscapes; the Wimmera River and Lake Hindmarsh; floods; buildings still standing and long gone; footy teams; fire brigade members; Debutante Balls (it’s all about the mullets and big hair); concert troupes; old school photos; Brass Band photos; sporting events; and often scanned newspaper articles.
While most really like seeing very old photos, the most popular photos by far are those from the 1960s to 1980s as people ‘of a certain age’ today recall those days usually with a sense of reassuring nostalgia.
Many get to see a family member, often in a photo never seen before.
Recently we posted a photo from the 1930s of a Jeparit couple playing bowls on their private bowls green; how could we expect seven of that couple’s great-grandchildren – none of them now local – to react so positively to a photo some of them had never known existed?
Not every post is used to impart information.
Often a photo of a street scene of uncertain date will be posted.
Since many of our Followers are avid car enthusiasts a simple ‘Car enthusiasts, you know what to do!’ prompt will result in us being able to identify the year close to when a photo was likely taken.
Indeed, photos with cars are often shared with friends which has resulted in those friends, who would not normally be interested in an historical society, choosing to follow us.
So this is certainly one way of broadening our reach, but getting answers to questions as well.
In just the last week there has been an explosion in people following our page as a result of us posting photos of now-iconic Bills Horse Troughs which were once common in country towns.
Within hours people from all over the Wimmera Mallee – and even beyond – were adding to the dialogue, letting us know of other places where these relics of the past can still be seen.
Historical societies are known for being highly supportive of each other.
This week Rainbow Archive and Historical Society shared with us some information about a local music teacher from the early 1900s.
We posted that information and while it will most likely not result in any new information about the lady, our Followers have enjoyed reading a little about someone from the dim past.
Historical societies don’t compete with each and collaboration can be a win-win for all concerned.
We have Followers who will scan photos from their own collection and share them with us and these are always gratefully received, especially when we don’t have these in our collection or when the person can provide names hitherto unknown.
Among our Followers are other historical societies even from interstate.
Their encouragement and positive comments are welcome but possibly they’re thinking ‘maybe we should be doing this?’
We are all aware of the pitfalls in using social media; keyboard warriors are quick to judge and criticise from the safety of their homes.
Our Followers don’t.
They are keen to pose questions; add information; even supply additional images or details to add to our knowledge of local stories.
There’s also an understanding that courtesy and kindness are ‘the way’.
There is clearly a sense of camaraderie and community among our Followers which is very gratifying.
JDHS now has 57 financial members, almost all of these having come to us via our online presence.
Indeed, JDHS is one of the fastest growing historical societies in Victoria, the envy of quite a few others, it seems.
Yes, some members are locals but most are people who left the area when younger or whose family once lived here and that nostalgia referred to earlier kicks in through seeing our posts.
Others join not so much because of our Facebook page but because they appreciate that managing an archive takes money and other resources and they wish to help in a small way.
Hopefully our posts remind them that we do not take their support for granted.
Some have said that the JDHS Facebook page has kindled an interest in local history.
This is not really true.
The interest has long been there but now people have a forum through which to express and even nurture that interest and share in the stories any local community has; this just needs a vehicle.
