The Eastern Regional Library Show 18th May 2011

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next week for a great show.

On last Wednesday's show

Memories of Melba is a month long celebration of Dame Nellie Melba's 150th birthday. It has been a busy month in and around Lilydale, with some activities still to come. On Sunday the 29th at 2pm there will be a talk on Melba and her mates, including a guided tour around the Lilydale Cemetery, and Wednesday the 25th at 7pm there is a talk on Melba's lasting legacy. All activities must be booked via Lilydale and District Historical Society, phone Sandy Ross on 97351661 or Sue Thompson on 97619192. An exciting part of the programme is encouraging people in the community to share their memories and memorabilia with the Library and Historical Society.

A very successful day was held at the Lilydale Library on Tuesday the 17th, and we would like to encourage anyone who thinks they may have something to share, to contact Kathy Smalley at Ringwood Library, 9870 0177, to add to the treasures and insights already collected.
 
Using Ancestry in your research is running on Thursday the 26th May at Healesville Library at 1:30pm, when you can tap into the extensive knowledge of Gail White. If you would like to get the most out of the database, this talk is for you. Don't forget too, that not only is the Library edition of Ancestry available on PC's in our libraries, but you can access both Ancestry and Find my past via Wifi service in all our branches, with your own laptop.

Finally, an exciting opportunity to have military items and photos identified. Yarra Junction Library is hosting Militaria, at which several experts can help you find the origin of your memorabilia and give you some background history. It is on Saturday 21st of May from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

All library activities can be booked on the Calender of Events on our website, or by ringing any branch.

---- Lesley

Melbamania: A Diva's Day Out - Sue Thompson chats about Australia's first diva

Melba was Australia’s royalty and rock star of the 1900s. When it was announced she would return to Lilydale during her visit to Australia since becoming famous on the world stage in the 1880s, the whole town galvanised into action.

Writing of her one-day whirlwind visit on November 8, 1902 the Punch magazine report said Melbamania had hit Lilydale.

Author Sue Thompson spent many months researching that visit for her book A Diva’s Day Out and will give a talk about the phenomena that is Melba and why she became our nation’s first Diva and was treated like royalty and mobbed like a rock star by the masses of Melburnians.

A History Week special event presented by the Lilydale & District Historical Society.

When: Saturday 23rd October 2pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92943120 or book online - Melba

Cheers, Maryanne

Melba at Miller's

As part of the Summer Reads Program author Ann Blainey will talk about Dame Nellie Melba as seen through her book I am Melba. Enjoy the lovely surroundings as you sip Melba Champagne to the strains of a Celtic harp.

Champagne at 7pm, Ann Blainey at 7:45pm

When: Friday 6th February 7pm
Where: Miller's Homestead, Cnr Dorrigo Road and Melrose Drive, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9801 1422

Cheers, Maryanne