Kilmore Historical Society president, Brian Clancy, was full of pride when he accepted a commendation at the Victorian Community History Awards for a significant Historical Society project.
The project on “Rekindling Father McHugh’s Kilmore” received a Commendation at the latest presentations. Father McHugh was the parish priest of Kilmore from 1928 to 1942 and in his spare time he would capture parish community life on film.
The Historical Society added a soundtrack and commentary to a compilation of his short black and white silent home movies shot in the late 1930s in Kilmore and made the film available on YouTube to provide a rare glimpse into what life was like in Kilmore back then.
The films offer a unique insight into Kilmore life almost a century ago, in the years leading up to the Second World War. They were digitised some time ago and have been stored on DVD to ensure their future preservation.
A soundtrack incorporating commentary and contemporary music was added through the efforts of Mr Clancy local sponsorship for the project was found.
The Victorian Community History Awards, presented by Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, were announced at a function at the Arts Centre in Melbourne. Kilmore Historical Society was awarded a commendation for the McHugh project.
Judy Maddigan, president of the Public Records Advisory Council presented Mr Clancy with a certificate that states “This award recognises activities that enhance awareness of records of significance to local communities”.
“It’s fantastic that we can celebrate the people and the projects that tell our stories in such a compelling way,” Ms Maddigan said.
The McHugh video is available on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9k6vok1vQs.
