Deniliquin's Heritage Preserved in Digital News Archive

Published on 22 August 2023

With just a few days to go before applications close for this year’s Community Grants Program, Edward River Council is encouraging groups to finalise their applications.

One of the successful community grant recipients last year was the Deniliquin Genealogy Society who commenced a fundraising campaign to digitise the iconic Pastoral Times Newspaper, a treasure trove of Deniliquin’s history.

Deniliquin Genealogy Society President Val Hardman said the Society’s fundraising effort exceeded all expectations.

“We started with wonderful support from the Pastoral Times and the community grant from Council, and it just snowballed from there. We have a board in Edward River Library showing the growth of the digitisation fund which has now reached way over and above our original aim of $25,000. We have ended up with over $58,000, including an anonymous donation of $20,000. We appreciate the wonderful support we have received to have our paper digitised. It makes our local history so much easier to research!”

Reflecting on their project’s success, Val Hardman said it showed just how important local history was to a community.

“Our local newspaper has recorded the social history of the Deniliquin district from the very earliest days of its settlement. All the funding we have received has enabled us to preserve this history and make it accessible to everyone. We have so much interest from visitors and locals who are researching their family history, and having the local newspaper in a digital form is a fantastic resource for our community.”

Edward River Council’s Mayor Cr Peta Betts said the Society had a dedicated space in the Edward River Library and provided a valuable service in helping people research local family connections.

“This project has enduring benefits, fostering a deeper understanding of Deniliquin’s history and preserving the stories that have shaped our region. We encourage all our community organisations to consider what they might be able to achieve through Edward River Council’s Community Grants Program. Like the Genealogy Society, their vision could be the next to leave a lasting mark on Deniliquin’s history,” said Cr Betts.

The Edward River Council’s Community Grants Program is offering grants of up to $3,000 to drive projects that enrich the community’s quality of life. Applications close 29 August. Apply at Edward Rivers Community Grants Program.