EAST COAST TASMANIA
Get involved with history
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Historical Society Inc. (GSBHS) is a not-for-profit entity established in 1991 to research, preserve and promote the history of the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality.
The Society occupies the east wing of the restored Old Swansea Schoolhouse (C1860) located in the centre of town on the main street of Swansea. The GSBHS facilities complement the Council owned East Coast Heritage Museum, in the same building.
Facilities available to Society members and researchers/guests are the Society’s collection indexed onto a Mosaic database of scanned images and documents of historical interest. The Society has a compactus room with easy access to archival-boxed and individual files, a meeting room and a research room with small library for members to borrow.
2023 - 2024 Society Management Committee
Unfortunately our President Diane Bricknell has tendered her resignation as President for personal reasons. Diane felt she could not devote the time and energy necessary to the President’s position at the moment. The Committee of the Society has appointed Maureen Martin Ferris to fill the casual vacancy caused by Diane’s resignation.
Diane has been President for the past 10 years, and we are pleased to say her experience will not be lost to the Society as she has agreed to be nominated to the less onerous position of Vice President of the Society. The committee has appointed her to fill the casual vacancy. Both these positions will be until the next Annual General Meeting of the Society, normally held around September of each year.
Current office holders until the next AGM are:
President: Maureen Martin Ferris
Senior Vice President: Diane Bricknell
Vice President: Malcolm Ward
Treasurer: Noel Stanley
Secretary/Public Officer: Peter Hüttemeier
Office Opening Times
The Society Office is normally open on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10.00am to 4.00pm, otherwise by arrangement.
The Society can be contacted via email, phone (03) 6257 9011, leave a message, or use the Contact Form.
NEW - Books For Sale
We have three new books available through the Society.
Maria Island History and Landscapes 1825 – 1930
by Richard Tuffin, Martin Gibbs & Michael Nash
Price $20.00
Description: Maria Island’s European history is one of exploration and dispossession, incarceration and labour, resources and exploitation, entrepreneurship and tourism.
This book is structured around four key touchstones from Maria Island’s recent past – the two phases of convict occupation during the Penal Period (1825 – 32) and the Probation Period (1842 – 52), the optimistic tenure of the Bernacchi Period (1884 – 96), and the resource exploitation of the Industrial Period (1920 – 30).
Of course, Maria Island’s story stretches both backwards and forwards from these points, stories in which Aboriginals, whalers, farmers and park rangers figure prominently. Yet the landscape that we see today was primarily shaped by these four periods of occupation and it is through them that we can best piece together some of the story of this remarkable island.
The East Coasters The early pioneering history of the east coast of Tasmania
By Lois Nyman
With a new forward by Maureen Martin Ferris (Society President & Research Officer)
Price $50.00
Description: First published in 1990 but long unavailable, it follows with humour and historical authenticity the pioneering struggles of the first settlers, their interaction with each other, their encounters with Aborigines and bushrangers, and the family histories of the leading settlers.
This is a reprint by UK Publishing Company Edward Everett Root.
Piermont Local East Coast History
By Susan McRae
Price $45.00
This new book documents Weber/Gill family and district development was launched at recent Family Reunion at Piermont.
Please Contact the Society email: info@glamorganhistory.or.au or call in on Tuesdays or Fridays to secure a copy. We can always post at extra charge.
Louisa Anne Meredith cards
The Society has new Louisa Anne Meredith greeting cards available for sale. These cards include prints from Some of my Bush Friends and from Tasmanian Friends & Foes (Feathered, Furred and Finned).
The cards are blank inside for writing in, and come with plain white envelope. As per the following Flyer, individual, set of 5, or complete set of 10.
The cards are available either direct through the Society on our open days, Tuesdays and Fridays, or from East Coast Heritage Museum.
Houses & Estates of Old Glamorgan Second Edition
Our revised and expanded 2nd Edition is now available direct from Society. See the following Flyer.
The above email is no longer being used, please send enquiries to: info@glamorganhistory.org.au
East Coast History
The east coast of Tasmania was settled by the British just over 200 years ago, many of the same families still live in the area. We also have had some exceptional people live in the area, such as Louisa Anne Meredith, prolific poet and artist (1812–1895).
Old School house was built in 1860
Publications
The Society produces and sells a number of publications. You can get in contact with us to purchase books or get involved to become a part of the publishing process by proof-reading or helping in a number of other ways.