Wyong Family History Group to host state conference

The theme for the conference is The Running Waters of History – this picture of Wyong River was taken by Helen Johnston-Lord

Wyong Family History Group will host the NSW/ACT Association of Family History Societies Annual Conference at Toukley 50+ Leisure Centre on September 8-10.

The association has been in operation since 1984 and for many of the years since, member societies have taken a turn at hosting an annual conference.

Wyong Family History Group was established in 1983 and last hosted the conference in 2009, when it was held at Wyong Racecourse.

This will be the first “in person” conference for three years, with COVID restrictions having had a major impact on such events.

The theme of the Conference is The Running Waters of History, chosen to reflect the importance of rivers, lakes and ocean to the residents of the Central Coast, both past and present.

The first day of the conference is open to all, free of charge, with a variety of local and nationally known speakers lined up for the three-day event.

Topics will cover many aspects of family history.

Members of the public are welcome to attend on Friday, September 8.

There will be a trading table area, where services and businesses with a connection to family history will be available to answer questions and for customers to purchase their wares.

Jason Reeve will be one of the speakers

Light refreshments will also be available for sale, and there will be raffles over the three days, with some significant prizes.

To take full advantage of the wonderful speakers, people need to register to attend the Saturday and Sunday sessions via the conference website, with an early bird discount available for those who register before June 30.

All speakers will be recorded, with access available via Zoom for a fee.

Ticketed social events include a Meet and Greet at Toukley RSL on Friday night, September 8, and a Conference Dinner, with live entertainment on Saturday, September 9, also being held at Toukley RSL.

One of the speakers will be Jason Reeve from Ancestry.com, which is sponsoring the conference and donating raffle prizes.

He is often on the Australian version of Who Do You Think You Are?

Keynote speaker for the conference will be Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris.

More information about the speakers, opening times and a full list of traders, along with ticket prices and bookings can be found at https://unpublishedwater.weebly.com or http://www.wyongfamilyhistory.com.au/

Wyong Family History Group’s cottage opens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am-3pm.

For more information call 4351 2211.

Source:
Wyong Family History Group