Family History Month at YPRL

 

It is Family History Month 2022 at Yarra Plenty Regional Library.  To learn of what is happening visit Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Heidelberg Historical Society Meeting

 "The Story of Beleura": A brief illustrated history of the home of the Tallis family on the Mornington Peninsula

Guest Speaker : Martin Green, General Manager, Beleura House

Venue: Uniting Church Community Centre, Seddon Street Ivanhoe

Date: Tuesday 9th August 2022 at 8.00 p.m.

All welcome

Presented by Heidelberg Historical Society

Truth, Beauty & Utility Exhibtion

 

The new exhibtion from Heidelberg Historical Society has opened. Truth, Beauty & Utlity: the Arts & crafts movement in Heidelberg traces the Arts & Crafts Movement. From the sudden craze for Japanese-inspired decoration in the 1880s to the non-historical ‘Art Nouveau’ of 1900, to the rugged Californian bungalow of 1920—all as seen in our local Heidelberg and Ivanhoe area. Truth, Beauty & Utility is now open at the Heidelberg Historical Society Old Courthouse Museum, Jika Street Heidelberg and can be viewed on Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm. Entry $5.00.

Please note the exhibition is only open depending on Coronavirus restrictions.

To prepare for your visit or for further inspiration after- check out these books from Yarra Plenty Regional Library's collection:

Art Nouveau by Julian Beecroft, 2018

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the art of the four by Roger Billciffe, 2017

May Morris: arts & crafts designer by May Morris, 2017

Arts & Craft: masterpieces of art by Michael Robinson, 2015

Anarchy & beauty: William Morris and his legacy, 1860-1960 by Fiona MacCarthy, 2014

International Women's Day: Elizabeth Austin

 

YPRL is celebrating International Women’s Day all week and today’s spotlight is on Elizabeth Austin.

Elizabeth Austin was a Victorian pioneer and philanthropist during the late nineteenth century, driven to improve the lives of older and poorer women.

Elizabeth and her husband Thomas built Winchelsea’s imposing Barwon Park mansion in 1871.  Thomas died there that same year and in her following year’s Elizabeth Austin made significant contributions to the Victorian community.

Locally, Elizabeth founded the Austin Hospital for incurables – now part of Austin Health – at Heidelberg in 1882.  She persuaded the Victorian government to donate land and she donated £6,000 for building works. 

She had a particular passion to improve the lives of older and poorer women at a time when there were no welfare provisions being provided by government.

The Austin is now a major health institution, world renowned for its research and specialist work. The Austin Hospital continues to serve the community and opened the Olivia Newton John wellness centre in 2013.

Elizabeth Austin died aged 89 years old in 1910 leaving a family of five sons and six daughters.

In 2012 she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Visit our curated list on the catalogue for recommended reading from our collection.

First published: Yarra Plenty Regional Library, 8 March 2021

Image: British Library digitised image from page 103 of "Victoria and its Metropolis, past and present [Vol. 1 by A. Sutherland; vol. 2 by various authors. Illustrated.]" via Flickr