What started as a dream back in September 2013 has become a reality in 2014, with the formation of the Bankstown Family History Group.
Family history is my passion and I was looking for a group in this area and found none. The Bankstown Historical Society Inc has been part of the local area since 1999 and its focus in the history of the local area. My focus was to be family history, not just of local families but of the families of members.
I approached council asking if I could start a group and use a meeting room in the new Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre. A phone call came late November and from there things started to happen. An article in the Torch newspaper asking for expressions of interest in forming a group lead to a meeting on 28th January 2014. Twenty-nine people attended and from there the group was formed, the name voted on and several people joined me in forming a committee. The next meeting was booked for 4th March. The committee had a lot to do between January and March.
A constitution was worked out and sent to the members for review, our name was registered and we became incorporated in 4th March 2014. Insurance was organised, Affiliated Societies joined and the last hurdle, a bank account had the committee very busy.
Our constitution was accepted in a vote on 4th March. We were underway!
Our little group is getting known, with myself and Carmel accepting an offer of a table at the Botany Bay Family History Society’s Heritage Fair, in late March. I have been asked to be a guest speaker at the Canterbury and District Historical Society’s June meeting.
As I write this the new library has only been open six days and today I had a look in our future meeting room. A space where we can meet, exchange ideas and further the knowledge and interest in Family History.
I look forward to meeting you.
Lilian Magill
Founding President
Bankstown Family History Group Inc
11th April 2014