The Glenelg Historic Treasures Access Project was launched this month in Portland by Western Victoria MP, Gayle Tierney.

It uses newly-restored images, maps and videos to provide an overview of the historical significance of the area and aims to complement the shire’s history book, Glenelg Shire: 150 Years in the Making, launched last year.

Topics explored on the new digital platform include the region’s indigenous history, early white settlement and pastoral development, as well as the history of the local whaling industry and the assisted migration that brought in thousands of people in the 19th century. 

Glenelg Shire mayor Robert Halliday said the website’s intention “is to build on these topics and add more to the website through digitisation of content gathered from the library’s local history collection, cultural collection and History House”. 

The mayor added that the new site will be helpful for students and researchers alike with options for users to print and provide feedback. 

It also prompts users to contact local historical groups and sources to continue their investigations.

The project, which has been in the works since June 2014, was made possible thanks to a $30,000 grant from the state government, a $10,000 grant from the council and $5000 from the Portland Family History Group. 

It has been the collaborative effort of 30 individuals and community organisations who provided the necessary information, photographs and access to artefacts.

Along with creation of the website, the funding allowed for the purchase of a $10,000 microfiche reader, now housed at Portland History House, and a large flatbed scanner at Glenelg Library. 

Visit glenelglibraries.vic.gov.au/historictreasures to learn more.