Category Archives: News

The Alchemy of Gold, an event bringing together ‘experts, historians and the community to explore how the discovery of gold in the 1850s reshaped Victoria economically, socially and politically’ took place over the weekend of May 16-18. Its aim: ‘celebrate … Continue reading →

One question inevitably arising in such an event is: how have the events of the gold rush shaped the society and place we live in now? The answers are familiar: egalitarianism, a cosmopolitan society, democracy…but one feature of our society … Continue reading →

There were some very good presentations at the weekend’s event, but we’ll focus on one theme only: environmental history. Standout speakers here included Susan Lawrence, co author of Sludge– disaster on Victorian Goldfields (a book which should be compulsory reading … Continue reading →

Forest Fire Management burned a biodiversity rich section of the Maldon Historic Reserve, near the Railway Track, on May 9. Conditions were described as ‘ideal’, with no wind, and appropriate moisture levels. Readers will remember we have reported on this … Continue reading →

  Destructive “Salvage” Logging Escalates in Wombat State Forest Large-scale removal of fallen trees from Wombat State Forest is accelerating under the false pretence of fire risk reduction—despite clear warnings from scientists and community groups. These environmentally damaging operations began … Continue reading →