Anyone who has passed through Orange will be familiar with Robertson Park, the historical heart of the City. Orange and District Historical Society has delved into that history and created an exhibition "Robertson Park Takes Centre Stage".

To curate the exhibition Society members interviewed and sourced contributions from local historians, business owners and organisations. It will be on display in Orange City Library until 15 February. We recommend you take a peek! While you are at the library don't forget to browse the fabulous Local Studies and Genealogy collections.

We'll also have an online version of this exhibition on our website soon. Stay tuned!

Great news! the Orange Family History Group's new web site is now live at www.ofhg.com.au

The Orange Family History Group was established in 1983 and over the past 25 years they've achieved some great outcomes.

The Group has always enjoyed a strong relationship with Orange City Library, a member of Central West Libraries, and after much discussion in July 2008 the two decided to join forces.

The Group meets upstairs in Orange City Library on the 3rd Tuesday of every month(except December) starting at 1.30pm. Everyone is most welcome. A newsletter is published 3 times a year.

The OFHG's Library has been included in the Genealogy collection at the Orange City Library and together we have some great resources! It's all included on the Library's catalogue.

The early orchards to the east of Orange will be the focus of the next orchard evening organised by Orange and District Historical Society.Guest speakers at the meeting, to be held at Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday, November 25, will be Rob Williams and Sue Milne.

Sue is the daughter of John Milne, whose family, together with the related Spurway family, had orchards in the Glenroi and Bloomfield areas and east of Lone Pine Avenue.

Rob Williams' family had orchards along Steele's Lane, Malabar and Dairy Creek Road and still has one in the area. The speakers will mention these as well as orchards further east at Lucknow, Shadforth, Guyong and Byng.

Through these public meetings and other activities, the society aims to preserve the history of the fruit growing industry. The meetings have all been recorded and when time and manpower permits, they will be transcribed, edited and published. The society is now in a position to photograph or scan archives that people may have. It only requires copies and the originals will be returned to their owners.

Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting and there will be a chance to ask questions.Entry is free but a donation would be appreciated to help continue the society's valuable work in preserving the history of Orange and district.The Society's president, Phil Stevenson, says he hopes the meetings will trigger more research, collection of memoirs, photos and memorabilia.

The meeting will be held at 7 for 7.30pm in the Gladstone's function room. Light refreshments will be served.

If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email ibiswines@bigpond.com

Orange City Council has commissioned a medical history of Orange to be published in time for the opening of the new Base Hospital, scheduled for completion in September 2010.

Elisabeth Edwards is currently undertaking research into doctors and nurses, the old District Hospital and the Base Hospital, private hospitals (including Dudley and other smaller maternity hospitals), the Auxiliary, Blue Ladies and the many other support services which ensured Orange became a renowned centre for medical excellence.

Elisabeth is anxious to hear from anyone who may have a connection with the development of medical services in Orange. In particular she would be most interested to see family letters, diaries and birth and death certificates from the 19th century showing how people dealt with childbirth, accidents and other medical emergencies when there were few medical practitioners in the district. She would also like to copy any photos of district doctors and nurses, hospitals and anything else connected with Orange's medical history.

If you would like to pass on information, please contact Elisabeth care of Orange City Library – ph 02 63938126 or library@orange.nsw.gov.au

The second in the Orange and District Historical Society's new Mining History Series will be held at the Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday 28th October at 7 for 7.30 PM.

Derek Dolstra will speak on the subject of "Mining in the Orange district before the official discovery of gold at Ophir in 1851 " Derek has an intimate knowledge of the geology and history of the Central West. He will paint a picture of the extent of geological knowlege at the time and the immense value to the colony of locally produced metals.Gold was unofficially discovered in several places but the information supressed. Copper was mined at amongst other places Copper Hill Molong, Lipscombe Pool Canowindra ,Coombing Park Mandurama and at the Carangara mine at Byng (the "Cornish settlement"). Derek has retired after a long career as Geologist with the NSW Geological Survey. This is certain to be a fascinating talk.

For further information contact the ODHS President Phil Stevenson on 0402 412 188

The sixth of the Orange and District Historical Society's popular "Orange Fruitgrowing History" meetings will be held at the Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday 23rd September at 7 for 7.30 PM.

This time the subject will be "Early Orchards of the Nashdale and Borenore districts". There will be contributions from Morrie Dally Max Davidson and others from the two areas

It is sure to be an interesting night. Outside contributions welcome and supper is provided.

For further information contact the Society's President, Phil Stevenson on 0402 412 188.