Media Release

Treasures on Tour!

The diaries of Miss Anne Drysdale give a first-hand view of daily life around Geelong in the mid-19th century. The field book of John Helder Wedge details the early European struggles for land around Melbourne and Geelong. These are some of the State Library of Victoria’s collection treasures touring regional Victoria during August 2004. It’s all part of a year-long program of events celebrating the Library’s 150th anniversary.

Travelling Treasures will see Library Collection experts take to the road with selected treasures, visiting regional public libraries and schools, providing first hand access to rare manuscripts, books and artefacts. The program for August includes: Geelong, Ocean Grove, Hamilton, Portland and Warrnambool.

Travelling Treasures will visit a host school during the day, and in the evening at the library in each town free talks by heritage collection specialists will offer audience members an opportunity to ask questions and view the treasures.

In August, historian Bev Roberts, author of Treasures of the State Library of Victoria, and her team will take the following treasures to Geelong and Ocean Grove.

Anne Drysdale’s diaries

The township of Drysdale takes its name from Miss Anne Drysdale, who owned farming property in Scotland before migrating to Port Phillip in March 1840. Her remarkable diaries provide a detailed account of daily life at Boronggoop and Coriyule and of social life in early Geelong.

The field book of John Helder Wedge

In May 1835 John Helder Wedge travelled to the District of Port Phillip with the newly formed Port Phillip Association. Wedge’s field book provides an invaluable record of that expedition, and of the early European struggle for land around Melbourne and Geelong. It records early encounters with the native population and interactions with William Buckley, as well as a glossary of Aboriginal words and some of Wedge’s own sketches.

Travelling Treasures will visit:
Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 August
-  Sacred Heart Catholic School (Tuesday) and Clonard College (Wednesday)
-  Geelong Library, 49 Little Malop Street, Geelong 
Library bookings: 03 5222 1212

Thursday 19 August
- Catholic Regional College, Drysdale
- Ocean Grove Library cnr Presidents Avenue & The Avenue, Ocean Grove
Library bookings: 03 5255 4218

Library evening session times: 6pm–7pm 
Sessions are free of charge but bookings are essential.

For interviews with author/historian, Bev Roberts, and for Travelling Treasures photo opportunities at schools and libraries please contact the Media Coordinator.