Cairns Historical Society

The Cairns Historical Society finished off last year with their annual Christmas party which was held on Thursday 8th December at the Edge Hill Bowling Club.  The evening was a great success and thanks were given to all those involved in the event.  The Society believes that 2017 will be an exciting year as after more that three years out of their home, the Society will soon be able to begin the move back to the renovated School of Arts building.  President Clive Skarott reported that the volunteers will need time to pack everything up for the move, so the research centre will be closed to the public from the 13th February and reopening some time mid-year.  It will not be possible to answer all requests, however they will endeavour to respond to everyone.  The next lecture series is scheduled for Sunday 5th March at the City Library meeting rooms.  Angelica Geisel will speak on the Cairns-Tully Rail Motor Service and Sue Darby will tell about the beginnings of the School of Distance Education and then Julia Vilkmar will reveal addititional facts on Hap Wah.  The Society has also announced that they are now open for nominations for this year's SE Stephens History Award.  Nominations should be in the hands of the Secretary by the end of March.  

Cooktown & District Historical Society

On the Saturday evening of 26 November 2016, the Cooktown Historical Society celebrated its 21st birthday party at their History Centre which was attended by a motley crew whose ages ranged from almost one to almost ninety.  The party was also attended by three of its founding members, Mrs Bev Shay and Don and Carol Sinclair.  The Society was originally run from the back room of the Shay's home and reminisces were made on how the entry fee to a meeting was a bottle of port wine and when the sum total of the Society's finances was just $35.00.  All this merry-making was accompanied by an endless stream of food provided by the CWA ladies and appropriately, by some old time music from an old time turntable.  It was a good night out.  The usual monthly general meetings of the Cooktown and District Historical Society are held on the first Thusday of each month at their Cooktown History Centre at 6.30pm.  The Centre is housed in the oldest building in Charlotte Street which was erected in 1875 as Cooktown's first post and telegraph office.  All interested in local history are welcome to attend.

Douglas Shire Historical Society

The Society's annual Christmas dinner which ends their year off was held as usual at Mojo's of Mossman.  Many congratulations goes to their hard-working President, Freda Wilson for being awarded the Douglas Shire Volunteer of the Year at the recent Australia Day ceremony.  Well done Freda.  Congratulations also to Norman Yarr, who was named the historical society's Volunteer of the Year.  Norman won the award in recognition of all the time he has given to the Society as a guide at the Court House Museum during 2016.  Well done Norman.  Noel Weare has completed his manuscript on the history of the museum building and his booklet should be available for purchase towards the end of March, so please watch out for their announcement.  Many thanks to the Douglas Shire Council for contributing to the research and printing costs for Noel's book which covers the whole history of the Port Douglas Court House which was built in 1879.  On 29 January the museum will close for the annual maintenance project and will reopen on the 5th March.  There will not be a monthly meeting in February.  

Mareeba Historical Society

A thank-you goes to the Mareeba & Dimbulah Community Bendigo Bank for sponsoring the Society $250 so they could purchase a quantity of lever-arch file boxes.  These assist in keeping their records together but unfortunately a great deal more boxes are needed so their whole library can look more professional.  The group has had a busy couple of months recently including their Melbourne Cup raffle which went well and thanks to the sponsors for their generosity.  The photos on that display were of the Melbourne Cup winners since the very first race and thanks to Terry and Julia and the other members who participated.  And many thanks also to everyone who helped out with the Christmas raffle.  The winner was a lady from Malanda.