Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Pascoe Vale electorate

Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:49): (449) My constituency question is for the Minister for Government Services. What funding programs are available to help support the Coburg Historical Society to assist their work in researching and preserving our local history and heritage? The Coburg Historical Society is a dedicated local voluntary organisation that is committed to preserving the history of Coburg. First founded in 1972 as an initiative of the then Coburg council, the society is continuing to protect, promote and preserve the history of Coburg, including following its amalgamation into the City of Moreland in 1994 and now as the City of Merri-Bek.

The society is based at the Bluestone Cottage Museum in the heart of Coburg at Bell Street’s oldest house – 82 Bell Street, just east of the Coburg town hall – which was built in 1864 and occupied by the Smith family and their descendants until it was bought by Coburg City Council in 1981 and has gone on to become a local museum. In September I was very pleased to announce a $2800 grant towards helping it preserve degrading cassette audio tapes, but with the society continuing its work they are really interested in pursuing further funding opportunities with government. I commend president Marilyn Moore, Tim McKenna, Julie Hogan, Mark Congdon, Glenda Beckley and Dianne Hartley for their work.