GROUP EFFORT: Orange and District Historical Society president Phil Stevenson accepts the award for Community Group of the Year from deputy mayor Jeff Whitton. Photo: LUKE SCHUYLER 0126lsoz14
THE 20 public events hosted by the Orange and District Historical Society last year, including the highly successful screenings of the 1927 documentary film, saw the society win the Community Group of the Year on Saturday.
President Phil Stevenson accepted the award on behalf of the group and said it was the first time the society had taken out the top Australia Day honour despite numerous nominations since it was formed in 1949.
The society beat the category’s other nominees Quota International of Orange, James Sheahan Catholic High School’s year 11 community service group and the Orange Premi-Babes Association.
“We’re most grateful to receive the award,” Mr Stevenson said.
“All of our events involved the co-operation of so many members.”
Mr Stevenson said the society screened the 1927 documentary film six times in 2012 with more than 1000 people turning out to see how Orange used to be.
“A real surprise and gift to Orange has been the 1927 film that was miraculously preserved,” he said.
“There is no doubt we’ll screen it again in the coming year.”
He said the group’s highlights for last year included the Orange History Alive meetings and View Orange events.
The society also helped organise celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee and Banjo Paterson’s birthday.