In 2013 the State Library of Victoria will again host the annual Family History Feast (the tenth) to be held at the Library on Monday 5 August during National Family History Week.

 This year the event will have a military research theme. We are pleased to announce that the annual Don Grant Lecture organised by the Victorian Association of Family History Organisations will be given by well-known military historian Lieutenant Colonel Neil Smith AM.

Lieutenant Colonel  Smith spent 24 years in the Army throughout Australia and overseas including active service inVietnam and Explosive Ordnance Disposal duties for which he was decorated with the Order of Australia. Since resigning 20 years ago Neil and his wife Sylvie have developed Mostly Unsung, a unique military history research business using resources inLondon and around Australia. 

Neil has researched and compiled scores of publications and articles on servicemen and women, various regiments and conflicts ranging from the British garrison in Australia through the Boer War, both World Wars and post 1945 conflicts, such as the Malayan Emergency. He is well known for his media and documentary work and frequently provides presentations on military history, where the emphasis is always on those who served. At the 2013 Feast, Neil will be speaking on ‘That elusive Digger : tracing your military ancestors in Australia”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Smith AM (private collection, 2013)

 

Bookings for this year’s event will open on Monday 17 June through Public Record Office Victoria’s online booking system. Watch the State Library of Victoria’s website for further booking and program details as we get closer to the event.