This Friday, as part of the Australian Heritage Festival, Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society Inc will present distinguished historian, author and narrator, Dr Jeff Brownrigg with ‘The Change from Colonies to Commonwealth’.
To complement his presentation, the Yarrawonga Customs House, adjacent to the Yarrawonga Visitors Information Centre, will be open for inspection from 1:00pm – 1:45pm.
Dr Brownrigg grew up in Mulwala before studying in Melbourne and York (UK), eventually taking up a position as Head of Research at Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive in 1986.
He conducted broad research into the history and artefacts of Australian Federation and became the National Wandering Historian for the Centenary of Federation, working face-to-face with hundreds of communities all over Australia.
The issue of ‘obnoxious’ existing customs and excise arrangements along colonial borders was an early catalyst to Federation.
The call for changes came to a head in Mulwala in the early 1890s and the Yarrawonga Customs House beside the Murray is the most tangible local surviving symbol of the most important push for political change that resulted in Federated Australia.
Dr Brownrigg will discuss the significance of Yarrawonga Mulwala and some of its people who contributed to this national narrative.
The presentation is from 2:00-4:00pm at St Andrews Uniting Church Hall on the corner of Tom and Piper streets and a light afternoon tea will follow.
For catering purposes please RSVP to 0419 244 896 or aasloane@bigpond.com.
