THE Millicent-based South East Family History Group has entered its 40th year in good shape after recently staging a successful annual general meeting.
All nine positions on the committee were filled willingly.
The newcomer to the committee is Virginia Pawsey, while Jann Walker returned after a couple of years of leave to complete her family history on the Wundersitz family.
Other positions were filled by Noel Boyle, Betty Dunn, Les Bebbington, Colleen Hammat, Lucy Thompson and Sandra and Kelvin Edlington.
Retiring members were Jan Buhlmann, Phyllis Gurney and Barry Gray.
Ms Hammat is the group’s research coordinator and said two interstate residents were warmly welcomed to the yearly forum.
“Rob Gelok AM, a former Millicent resident, with his wife Karen attended the meeting and told of his interest in the Bowering family of Rocky Camp,” Ms Hammat said.
“Rob’s late mother June Gelok (nee Bowering) was a long-time member of the group.
“One of his questions relates to the old Bowering home near Mount Muirhead and the family story says the home was once a bakery but no evidence has been found on this.”
The recent group monthly meeting was still held last Thursday despite the Anzac Day public holiday.
As is customary for the April meeting each year, the group focussed on wartime matters of interest to local historians including Prisoner Of War camps and a letter from the frontline.
The history group was founded in Millicent in 1980 and has over 140 members.
