A guest post by Neville Rowland
There is a specific kind of magic in the Pyrenees region of Victoria. It’s in the rolling hills, the quiet strength of the old stone buildings, and the names etched into the headstones of the Avoca Cemetery. But for those of us with ancestors who called this rugged landscape home, that magic is personal. It’s a puzzle we are constantly trying to piece together.
In December 2022, I decided to build a digital “home” for these stories. I created the private Facebook group “Pioneers of the Pyrenees – Avoca and Beyond.” Alongside fellow admin Carolyn Lawlor-Smith and moderator Anne Young, we set out to create more than just a social media group; we wanted a living forum for relatives, genealogists, and history buffs to connect.
A Digital Treasure Trove
Since we launched, the “Pioneers” community has grown into a bustling hub of discovery. If you scroll through our feed, you’ll find:
- Family Portraits: Faces from the past that finally have a place to be seen again.
- Historic Maps: We’ve made landholders’ maps available to members—and better yet, we’ve transcribed them to make searching for an ancestral plot of land easier than ever.
- The Avoca Mail: Fascinating extracts from the local newspaper that give us a “fly on the wall” view of daily life in the 1800s and 1900s.
- The Avoca Cemetery Register (1858–1982): One of our proudest achievements is the transcription of this register. It has become a vital source for researchers, especially when used in tandem with sites like Find A Grave.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
While our Facebook group is a modern tool, we recognize that we wouldn’t have half the knowledge we do without the groundwork laid by the Avoca and District Historical Society.
I first joined the Society back in the early 1990s. I still remember meeting the President at the time, Tony O’Shea—a man whose pleasant demeanor was matched only by his incredible helpfulness. Diving into their archives was like finding a goldmine; their photographic collection alone is staggering.
“If the Society doesn’t know something about this region, then nobody does.”
I still hold onto the family mementos they helped me find decades ago. They are the true guardians of our regional heritage.
Looking Forward: A Shared Mission
Our goal at “Pioneers of the Pyrenees” isn’t just to look backward, but to support those who keep history alive today. We want to use our platform to raise the profile of the Avoca and District Historical Society.
We actively encourage our members to utilize their expert services and professional archives. To our members: keep an eye on our page! We will be posting about the Society’s upcoming events and news to ensure that the bridge between our digital forum and their physical archives remains stronger than ever.
Are you researching an Avoca local? Come join us at “Pioneers of the Pyrenees.” Whether you have a shoebox full of old photos or just a single name on a family tree, there’s a seat at the table for you.
See also: Avoca cemetery records at FindAGrave where Neville Rowland has added the cemetery register details for those buried in the cemetery.
Annie was ten months old and had died of dysentery. She lived at Lamplough and her religion was given as Wesleyan Methodist.
