Geelong Museum Association Inc

From Barbara Abley

8 September 2026

On behalf of Women in Rotary in the Geelong Area, we would very much appreciate you considering this invitation which falls in Women’s Health Week.

The Afternoon has been organised by the Rotary Club of Barwon Geelong who have focussed on women’s health, fitness, fashion, with excellent, professional practitioners to complement the afternoon – and a splendid afternoon tea!

The invitation is extended to all women.

We are holding this event to inform and raise funds for Ovarian Cancer research.

Would really like to see you all there.

Hope you can make it along

Attached are full details, TRYBOOKING Link (www.trybooking.com/DPBRC) and information.

Convenor: Jo White e: [email protected] M: 0419155 183

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Women’s Health
You’re invited to
A Very Special Ladies Day Out
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Barwon Geelong
Raising Funds for Ovarian Cancer
Join us for an afternoon of women’s health, fitness, fashion,
delicious afternoon tea and good company.
Event Details
• Date: Tuesday, 8th September 2026
• Time: 1:30 PM arrival for a 2:00 pm start (concludes 4:00 pm)
• Venue: The Navy Association | 90 Skene St, Newtown Vic 3220
(close by off-street parking available)
• Tickets: $20 (includes a welcome drink and a ‘forget the diet’
afternoon tea)
• Bookings: www.trybooking.com/DPBRC
• Contact: Jo White e: [email protected]
M: 0419.155.183
Guest Speakers & Highlights
• Women’s Health Q&A | Dr. Chantelle Stubna Gynaecologist, Obste-
trician & IVF Consultant An open space to get answers to your health
questions. To have your question answered anonymously during the
presentation, email it to [email protected] before Sunday,
6th September.
• Strength & Bone Health | Claire Picone Physiotherapist from Kieser
Discover how strength training can help manage and prevent Osteoporo-
sis.
The 10-Piece Travel Wardrobe Learn how to pack light and travel easy
with a versatile 10-piece wardrobe perfect for any holiday destination

Sunday 30th August
Talk by Ron Medson on The rise and fall of an Industrial Giant: The history and progress of International Harvester over 200 years.

This is especially of interest to those interested in the industrial history of Geelong.

The talk will be conducted at 1:30 PM Sunday 30th August in the Strachan Theaterette (or the Auction Room), National Wool Museum, Moorabool St, Geelong.

A cuppa and biscuit are available to continue discussion with the presenter after the talks conclusion.

A gold coin donation (or better) is appreciated at the talk.

Plough Book Sales: Geelong IHC W6 & Variants History Geelong International Harvester W6 and Variants history

Our 'Last Sunday' series of history talks for the rest of this year will have the following topics and speakers.

Sunday 30 August - The rise and fall of an Industrial Giant: The history and progress of International Harvester. Presented by Ron Medson.

Sunday 27 September - A Life Journey in Fashion. An inspirational story of a "self-made" Dressmaker and Designer. Presented by Brenda Fraser.

Sunday 25 October - The Light on the Hill: An updated History of the Australian Labor Party. Presented by Ross McMullin.

Sunday 29 November - Independent Cement and Lime: A company history. Presented by Jacqui Lane.

All talks commence at 1.30pm and conclude by 3pm, with a cuppa after the talk. Gold Coin Donation. Held at the National Wool Museum Geelong

Sunday Talk 26th July 2026 1PM to 3:30PM
The History of Transport in Geelong
July has a series of talks put on by the National Wool Museum Geelong whose subject is the history of transport in Geelong.

This takes place of the regular Geelong Museum Association July Sunday Series Talk. The regular talks will return in August.

Members of the Geelong Museum Association and Geelong Historical Society will be presenting a short series of talks covering various aspects of Geelong Transport.

As usual there will be time for tea and biscuits and discussion after the talks conclusion.

Be aware that this is a ticketed event with entry fee so please book via the following web page.
https://tickets.geelongaustralia.com.au/event/the-history-of-transport-in-geelong-

Costs,
Museum members/ volunteers free
Concession $10 plus booking fee ($1.40)
Adult $13.00 plus booking fee($1.89)

Geelong Trams (This weekend)

Sunday Series talk: Sunday 28 June 2026

Electric Trams commenced operating in Geelong on 14 March 1912 and the last operated on 25 March 1956, a period of 44 years. Around 40 individual trams ran on the system over that period, but not all at the one time. Some were purchased brand new and others were second hand from Melbourne.

Following closure of the Geelong Tramway, some of the Geelong trams were transferred for further use on the tramways in Ballarat and Bendigo. They remained in operation there until those two systems were closed by the SEC in 1971.

The remaining Geelong trams were dismantled soon after the final runs in 1956. The timber and steel bodies were sold to the public and most of the running gear either retained as spares or scrapped. Amazingly, one of the discarded tram bodies has been restored to full working order and now operates on the Ballarat Tramway Museum line.

Peter Waugh is a retired school teacher. He became interested in researching the history of the Geelong Tramways and was then introduced to the Ballarat Tramway Museum in 2012. He has been involved there ever since. Over the past five years he has headed up the team that set up a new award-winning museum at the Ballarat Tramway. He currently manages that part of the BTM operation. Peter will outline the history of the Geelong Tramway with emphasis on its interesting tram cars

This talk is part of the Geelong Museum Association’s monthly ‘Sunday Series’ of talks.

The talk will take place from 1.30 pm until 3 pm on Sunday 28 June in the
National Wool Museum, Cnr. Brougham and Moorabool Streets, Geelong.

Afternoon tea will be provided and a gold coin donation appreciated.

Also https://www.sydneytramwaymuseum.com.au/members.old/Trolley_Wire/276%20-%20Trolley%20Wire%20-%20Feb%201999.pdf

https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/restored-geelong-tram-2-gifted-ballarat




All

The Ararat to Portland railway will be the topic for our next 'Last Sunday' talk series, on Sunday 30 May.

The railway was opened in 1878 and became the main conduit for wheat, wool and other products from South West Victoria and the Wimmera to the Port of Portland. The line fed that port, rather than Geelong or Melbourne.

Norman Houghton OAM is one of Victoria's leading railway historians and has been writing on rail and other history topics since the 1970's. He has published many local history books and his latest is on the Portland Railway. Copies will be for sale following the talk.

The talk is held at the National Wool Museum Geelong from 1.30pm until 3pm. Gold Coin donation appreciated.

A Hidden Tragedy - The Sinking of HMAS Goorangai

Many books have been written about Australians in World War Two. Most of these stories are of overseas events. Only a few stories have been stories in Australia. Most Australians would know of the aerial attacks on Darwin by the Japanese and the midget submarine attack on Sydney or maybe the HMAS Sydney / Kormoran sea battle.

This book describes a little-known collision between a minor warship HMAS Goorangai and a much larger merchantman MV Duntroon within Port Phillip bay less than 100 km from Melbourne in 1940.

The Goorangai sank while taking her whole ships company of 24 to their deaths. Goorangai had been deployed on operation, clearing a German laid sea mines in Bass Strait before the collision.
The few times the collision has been previously written about, the story has been tainted by those with vested interest or using sloppy interpretation of the facts.

This fully referenced story tells the whole story of the collision, search, salvage and after events and speaks to the reason how the Duntroon’s master who caused the collision got off all charges and why the unidentified sailor was and remains unidentified. The story gives perspective so the true story becomes evident to the reader.

Author bio
Andrew was in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve unit where the Goorangai ships company were drawn, Mine Warfare Group 54 in its 1980’s re-incarnation. In his 40-year part time naval career the author has had sea postings on seven patrol boats and worked outside his normal naval branch as a Petty Officer Marine Technician operating Minesweeping Drone Boats, Precise Navigation and Stonefish Exercise Mines.

Professionally, Andrew has worked with the Department of Defence for 38 years with his last appointment as a Senior Technical Advisor in a direct fire support weapon procurement project. Before this, he specialised in the field of Explosive Ordnance after starting work in the department as a Naval Dockyard apprentice.

To Purchase the book https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/a-hidden-tragedy