October is History Month, and the Warragul and District Historical Society is marking the occasion with a month-long exhibition celebrating The Fabulous Fifties.
The society's emphasis on the fifties is in keeping with the state-wide "living history" theme for History Month of focussing on the recent past.
The fifties is a period recognised for its post war optimism and economic prosperity, the birth of rock and roll, the advent of television, the rise of a consumer culture driven by new technologies and iconic fashion, and, despite significant global Cold War tensions, there were huge technological advancements, the dawn of commercial air travel, the advent of the welfare state, and significant advances in medical research.
It was a 'boom' time – from booming economies to baby booms.
It also was the time of the hula hoop, drive-in theatres, jukeboxes, LP records, Hawaiian shirts, blue denim jeans, poodle skirts and skirts with petticoats, Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, Leave It To Beaver, automatic washing machines, and cars became affordable for the average family.
"The Historical Society has been able to draw together a sizeable collection of iconic fifties items," said Helen Wallace, the exhibition's curator. "We have been able to use a good many items from the society's collection, as well as benefitting from the support of both members of the society and the broader community."
"Sadly, our call for a fifties Malvern Star bicycle was unsuccessful. If anything was so representative of the fifties, it was a Malvern Star bicycle. It might not be too late to include one in the exhibition if someone is prepared to lend us one for the month," Mrs Wallace said.
Historical Society president Wayne Hardie said the exhibition was an important part of the society's commitment to meeting one of its principal objectives in providing educational opportunities for the community.
"The fifties seem to be only yesterday, but they were 70 years ago. Now only the older members of the community remember them," he said.
Mrs Wallace said the exhibition had a focus on fifties family life, popular culture and fashions, the dairy industry, and education. "Senior visitors to the exhibition will find much to bring back old memories, and younger visitors will discover their grandparents lived in exciting times."
The exhibition will be open every day this week to Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 3pm, and, for the reminder of the month, every Thursday from 10am to 3pm, and every Sunday from 11am to 4pm.