The Australian Historical Records Society (AHRS) existed in Ballarat between 1896-1906. It was one of the earliest historical societies in Australia. Its membership consisted of some of the most notable pioneers of Ballarat at that time. The society was the forerunner of the current Ballarat Historical Society.
‘The Ballarat Star’ informs us that, “at the meeting of leading citizens held at the Old Colonists Hall last night it was decided to form an Australian Historical Records Association. This matter was taken up most anthemically.” (1) ‘The Ballarat Courier' informs us that, “after discussion about annual fees and an offer from the Town Clerk for the City of Ballarat Mr. George Perry, and who was also a member of the Society, for items collected by the society could be stored at the Town Hall the meeting concluded with members in attendance singing ‘Auld Land Syne’.”(2)
The aims of the AHRS were like those of most historical societies, being to collect and preserve historical documents and to recognise significant public events. The Society’s attempts to transcribe oral history was a precursor to a popular activity of today. (3)
The members of the AHRS included Ballarat’s leading citizens of the day including James Oddie, William Withers, F.W. Niven and The Hon. T. D. Wanliss MLC, just to mention a few. The AHRS rule noted, “that members will be those recorded at the first meeting and thereafter other persons of good repute, able and willing to carry out the objects of the society and shall loyally conform to the rules.” (4)
Reflecting on its early activities, it seems the establishment of the Society was largely motivated by a desire to preserve and memorialise the history of white European-origin men involved in the colonisation of Ballarat. To achieve this, they invited early colonists to either submit letters or their memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings where their reminiscences were recorded. The City of Ballarat’s Australiana Research Collection has copies of the reminiscences provided to the Society within its collection, though the history of their acquisition is not known.
At the August 1896 AHRS meeting, reminiscences were received from F. Niven, J. Meek and J. Vickery to name a few. Also, at this same meeting the Society decided to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Eureka Stockade by playing a cricket match against a team comprising old colonists. The players had to be over the age of 60. (5)
The AHRS made attempts to preserve books, memorabilia and historical objects from Ballarat’s early colonial period through donations from members of the public and its own members. Historian Peter Mansfield notes the wide range of donations received, including two gold escort boxes and photographs from Miss Oddie of the laying of the foundation stone of the Queen Victoria Statute. Mr W Chalmers donated a copy of Carboni’s Eureka Stockade, and a colt revolver used at the Eureka Stockade was presented by Mr Coulthard of South Australia. In 1900, Cr C.C. Shoppe donated the parliamentary robes and wig of Peter Lalor. (6)
By 1905, interest in the Society was beginning to wane, evidenced by the small attendance at its meetings. Five members attended the half yearly meeting in September 1905, and four members attended the February 1906 meeting. (7) Suggestions were made by the Society committee to amalgamate with the Old Colonists Association. It appears that this suggestion was never taken up.
On the 15th of March 1906, a notice appeared in 'The Ballarat Star' newspaper about a special meeting of the AHRS to be held at the Ballarat Town Hall at 8pm.(8) It is believed the meeting never took place and AHRS ceased to exist at this point. (9) The Society's records and relics were placed in two cases and kept at the Ballarat Town Hall for safekeeping. Unfortunately, when these cases were to be retrieved in the 1930s, following the establishment of the Ballarat Historical Society, , these items were found to be lost. Mansfield writes that the cases had been "...forced open and and vandals had stolen most of the treasures". (10)
However, key objects acquired by the AHRS, including Peter Lalor's wig and robe, were subsequently accessioned into the collection of the Ballarat Historical Society, and many such objects remain on loan to Sovereign Hill.
Simon Jacks
Australiana Research Librarian
Here is a link to an article in 'The Ballarat Star' (25 January1896, p.2) reporting on the formation of the Australian Historical Records Society: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/21287703
Here is a link to an article in 'The Ballarat Star' (12 July 1904, p.6) reporting on a half yearly meeting of the society: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208503414/21330822
Here is a notice in 'The Ballarat Star' advertising the special meeting on 15 March 1906: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/209229819?searchTerm=%22australian%20historical%20records%20society%22
Footnotes
(1). 'The Ballarat Star', 25 January 1896, p.2
(2). 'The Ballarat Courier, 25 January 1896, p.2
(3). Peter Mansfield, 'The Australian Historical Records Society in Ballarat Historian', Vol.1, Number 6, 1982, p.23
(4). 'Rules of The Australian Historical Records Society', Berry Anderson and Co., Ballarat Victoria, 1896
(5). Mansfield p.27
(6). Mansfield p. 29
(7). Mansfield p.29
(8). 'The Ballarat Star', 15 March 1906, p.2(9). Mansfield p.30
(9). Mansfield p.30
(10). Mansfield p.30
