The Shoalhaven Historical Society has gained funding from the Royal Australian Historical Society Cultural Grants Program for one of its latest projects 'On This Day in Shoalhaven'.
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Minister for the Arts Don Harwin MLC has announced the society has been successful in gaining $2200 for the project.
Well-known local historian and author Alan Clark has produced the words, with Gerry Walker compiling accompanying photos, and Robyn Florance formatting project for printing.
The project is set to illuminate the Shoalhaven's past, highlighting events that happened each day as part of the area's history.
"Over the years during my research I have come across numerous interesting facts and significant dates," Mr Clark said.
"While browsing through my local history books, I've picked out odd dates, significant or unusual events and then managed to fill in the blanks.
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"I've aimed to get two or three events on each day of the year."
Content goes from back beyond the first local settlement.
One of the early references was for December 30, 1811 - The Colonial Vessel Speedwell arrived in Sydney with a cargo of quality cedar harvested at Shoalhaven. Shoalhaven at that time was defined as between Jervis Bay and Five Islands (Wollongong).
"It was a challenge at times to find happenings for each day, but while ever you are researching you are always learning but some dates can prove elusive," Mr Clark said.
"But we have got there in the end.
"I've been working on and off this for years - all my research over all these years has led to it."
South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said the funds would help the skilled historians of her electorate.
"The funding will hugely contribute to the community's effort in promoting and preserving local history and bring Shoalhaven stories to a broader audience," Mrs Hancock said.
"The Shoalhaven has a rich and diverse history, with many different trades and factories that over the years have vanished and we need to preserve the history for generations to come."
Mr Harwin said the funding will advance the education and awareness of NSW history from regional NSW, Western Sydney and our First Nations people.
"We know history can shape our future when we acknowledge and learn from it which is why I am thrilled this program will support local heritage projects," he said.
"The funding provides our local historians and volunteers the opportunity of presenting our diverse history through various means such as digitally and through local and regional publications allowing more people to experience it."
Recipients of Royal Australian Historical Society Cultural Grants cover projects including research, publications, professional support and travel and conservation of historic material.
Seventeen projects have been funded under this year's grants, and are spread across the State including 11 for regional NSW, five from Western Sydney and one in metro Sydney.
Currently in its fifth year, the fund offers NSW Government funding of $55,000 through grants of up to $5000 per project to assist local historical societies and similar bodies to undertake historical research and create new publications.