Society’s wake for history

Springvale Historical Society has farewelled its home of 27 years with a wake.
The afternoon tea party in Hillcrest Grove on Saturday 25 November included music, food and plenty of talk about “the good old days”.
“We invited different historical societies from the area,” secretary Robyn Robie explained.
The purpose-built home opened in 1990 as the society’s headquarters and features galleries to house temporary and travelling exhibitions, as well as archive spaces.
“We’re not closing,” Mr Robie said.
“It’s just the building is being pulled down and we are going down to Morwell Parade for roughly two years.
“Once the new Springvale Library hub is built we will be coming back.”
Earlier this year, Ms Robie was inducted as a Springvale Historical Society life member alongside president Colin Robinson.
A small push from her family got Ms Robie through the door but she stayed for the love of history.
She became the secretary in 1996 and has held the post ever since.
The society has more than 11,000 items ranging from the mid-1800s to the 1980s and constantly gets in new artefacts to add to hundreds of exhibits.
Ms Robie’s favourite piece is her aunt’s Murano style glass and enamel holders from the 1920s.