Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, recently had the pleasure of presenting the East Gippsland Family History Group with an $8,000 grant that will go towards Stage One of their “Digitising the Bairnsdale Advertiser” project.

“The grant recognises the contribution of community groups such as the East Gippsland Family History Group in preserving the rich and diverse history and amazing stories for all of the community and future generations to come,” Mr Bull said.

Tony Meade, president of the East Gippsland Family History Group, said “this funding will allow us to start scanning microfilm images of the Bairnsdale Advertiser newspaper dating back to 1879, and converting to CD and DVD format, making it easier for the general public to gain access to this material.”

Vice president, Peter Robinson, stated previously this information was not always available to the general public and by streamlining the processes involved the public will now be able to rediscover their family connections and past heritage right from the comfort of their homes.