About Me

I was born and bred in the Western District of Victoria and my family roots are firmly planted there  like those of the mighty river red gums.  From the Volcanic plains to the Grampians soaring on the horizon, this area that is so special to me must have been a special place for ancestors too.  Many made their way there on arrival in Australia and never left.  Together they grew towns, communities and families that would continue to thrive over 150 years later.

I have had an interest in the pioneering history of the Western District since I was a young child.  I lived near to the Hamilton Pastoral Museum and I would often visit on their Open Days.  Inside an old church building I would marvel at the collection of household implements, ornaments and the like.  Outside, old steam engines and horse-drawn ploughs would captivate me.

Add to that a passion for research which started with being a bored only child reading encyclopedias and led on to a degree in Media &  Social Research.  I just love looking up stuff.  So when I started my family history research I was in my element and throw in the web, an information addicts dream come true, and I was hooked.

In 2012, I completed a Certificate of Genealogical Research with the Society of Australian Genealogists (SAG) and I am about to begin a Diploma of Family Historical Studies with SAG.

If you are descended from any of the families mentioned in this blog or have further information, you can email me – wdfvic@gmail.com -  I would love to hear from you.

THE WANNON RIVER AT CAVENDISH