Hi List, I have just collected an early copy of the Gippsland Times "Millenium Issue", "Wellington Region: Our History", which will be distributed next Tuesday, although it bears the date of 1 January 2000. And many, many congratulations go to Peter Synan, who was historical editor, no doubt with the able assistance of Ann. It is the first attempt to publish a comprehensive history of what is now the Shire of Wellington. It is 96 pages, on high-quality newsprint, tabloid size and is extensively illustrated. Around about half is adds and half serious historical articles, but even the adds are fascinating as most have taken the trouble to detail the history of the business. The major articles are: the Gunai-Kurnai, European Exploration, Port Albert, Yarram, Migrants, Sale, Transport, Wars, RAAF Base, Gold, Oil and Gas, Racing, Closer Settlement, High Country, Heyfield and District, Stratford, Maffra and District, Rosedale and District, Swing Bridge. It will be available in all newsagents in the shire on Tuesday - check with your local newsagent for Bairnsdale and Traralgon. Otherwise you can order it from the Gippsland Times at 74-76 Macalister Street, Sale, 3850. It costs $4 an issue, plus post - possibly around $2.50 would cover that. It would also be remiss of me if I did not point out that, in the original discussions, the Times considered commissioning work, but I understand the final agreement was that historians would work gratis, in return for the Times having more of the paper microfilmed. So this is a double gift that the Times, Gippsland's oldest operating newspaper, has given to the historical community. It has done so to mark its establishment in 1860, and first issue in 1861 - 140 years of operation. David Tulloch, general manager of the Times, who has driven this, as he has many other historical projects, is also most deserving of our gratitude for this wonderful issue. Now, who is going to index it??? Cheers Linda Barraclough Briagolong List Owner: AUS-VIC-GIPPSLAND email: kapana@netspace.net.au http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~surreal/AVG/