PORT FAIRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Exhibitions
Three Men in a Boat
January 2021
[Current Exhibition]
The Museum reopened in 2021 after 2020 Covid closure with an exciting exhibition telling the story of the Haldane family and the building of the Tacoma in Port Fairy, nearly 70 years ago. The MFV Tacoma was built by hand on a vacant block of land on the Moyne River at Port Fairy in Victoria by three Haldane brothers.
They started in 1944 and the vessel was launched on the high tide at 3.38 on the morning of Monday November 5, 1951.
Other displays commemorate the 1946 Floods and celebrate the 100 years of manufacturing at Glaxo.
Submerged
January 2020
[Past Exhibition]
Cycling details shown at the Museum list long distance record times starting with Melbourne to Adelaide and back to Port Fairy in 1977, then six others between 1978 and 1986. In 1988 he set a time of 10 days, 17 hours, 56 minutes and 35 seconds for his ride from Perth to Sydney. With his wife Hester “Woody” was part of the first Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay from Mildura to Port Fairy in 1987 and helped to make this a most successful annual event.
His memory is celebrated with the Graham Woodrup Memorial Award given each year as “Woody’s Murray to Moyne” cycling event continues
Port Fairy in the Fifties
September 2019
[Past Exhibition]
Fashion and accessories worn by our residents in the 1950s and streetscapes and scenes from the era. Featuring items the Lillian Powling Collection.
Submerged
February 2019
[Past Exhibition]
Australia has about 11,000 shipwrecks, roughly one wreck for every three kilometres of coastline. Most of them remain undiscovered but those we've found have yielded some amazing stories.
Icons of Port Fairy*
September 2018
[Past Exhibition]
Icons of Port Fairy highlight some of Port Fairy’s most famous residents. Port Fairy icons include former Essendon footballer John Coleman, Melbourne Cup winning jockey Pat Hyland and former Queensland premier TJ Ryan.
The Port Fairy Historical Society took pleasure in showcasing eminent Australians who were born in the town.
*Essendon's John Coleman kicking for goal under pressure from Fitzroy defender Alan Gale during a game in 1953. Coleman was born in Port Fairy.
Invitation to the Ball
April 2017
[Past Exhibition]
This exhibition was a celebration of one aspect of social entertainment enjoyed over the years by the people of Port Fairy and District, and the written and photographic memories found in books and newspapers recorded both by journalists and authors.
