Doors open on city’s history

THE rich and well documented history of Bendigo will be more accessible with the opening of a regional archives centre and public reading room at the Bendigo Library.The Bendigo Regional Archives Centre holds a growing collection of government and non-government records dating back to the very early days of Bendigo.They are permanently preserved in a controlled environment and can be read in the purpose-built secure reading room.Historians and researchers are able to access the records of the early local government bodies that now make up the City of Greater Bendigo.These include Bendigo, (Sandhurst,) Eaglehawk, Huntly, Marong, Strathfieldsaye and other outlying municipalities.Rural and Regional Development Minister Jacinta Allan who officially opened the facility today said one of the centre’s key objectives was to ensure important historical documents and permanent public records were retained locally in Bendigo making them more accessible to the public.“This in turn will ensure that the community’s historical memory is secure and accessible now and in the future,” Ms Allan said.President of the Bendigo Historical Society Jim Evans said the opening of the reading room was a significant event for the City of Greater Bendigo.“When the proposed additional storage centre is built in Nolan Street and additional records can be stored, Bendigo will have a top class regional facility,” Mr Evans said.