The Melbourne historian gave an insight into efforts by the Australian and British governments to excavate a mass burial site near the northern French town of Fromelles.

Media reports revealed excavation of the site had been botched last week by a questionable contractor employed by the Defence Department.

Mr Englezos said he was concerned and urged the Federal Government to intervene.

"It's absolutely imperative that we give our boys the dignity of individual reburial," he said.

"We can't fudge this now. We've done so much work at Fromelles, it would be a travesty if this was all wasted."

The Fromelles presentation was one of a number of activities held in Port Fairy for the town's annual Winter Weekends.

Other events included a 'paint-off', which challenged amateur artists to create their best visual interpretation of the seaside town.