Launceston Historical Society, Tasmania

Launceston Historical Society, Tasmania Bringing together people with an interest in history. We meet on the third Sunday of the month at the QV Museum at Inveresk at 2pm. All welcome.

The Society does not have any archival resources and does not undertake family or local history research. We do not undertake family or local history research as we do not have any staff or a collection of resources. Please contact the Launceston Library, Tasmanian Family History Society, or Community History Centre at the QVMAG.

Julian Burgess: St John's Church, 1825-2025Julian Burgess presented a fascinating overview of St John’s 200-year history...
22/06/2026

Julian Burgess: St John's Church, 1825-2025

Julian Burgess presented a fascinating overview of St John’s 200-year history at the Launceston Historical Society meeting on 21 June 2026.

Rev John Youl overcame many obstacles to establish St John’s Church, the first in Launceston. He travelled overland from Hobart in January 1819 to see his new parish for the first time and married 41 couples and baptised 67 children during his three-week visit. Youl, with his family, returned from Sydney in November 1819. Youl travelled by foot, horse and boat to minister to his flock between Launceston and George Town.

Governor George Arthur laid the foundation stone for St John’s Church on 28 December 1824. Designed by Colonial Architect David Lambe, it was based on St David’s Church in Hobart but was two thirds the size. On 24 August 1825 Charlotte, the wife of Lt-Colonel William Balfour, was buried beneath the partly built church. A plaque was later erected in her memory and is still there. The first service was held on 16 December 1825.

There have been 21 rectors at St John’s in 200 years. The second, Rev Dr WH Browne, officiated for 40 years from 1828 to 1868. A clock was installed in the extended church tower, and St John’s School was established next door.

In the 1890s the congregation grew and the foundation stone for an extension was laid in 1902. It took 10 years to complete, and Charlotte Balfour’s vault was uncovered but left in place. The Last Supper mosaic was installed in 1921 as a memorial to the parish’s soldiers who fell in the First World War. During the 1938 extensions to Alexander North’s design, Charlotte Balfour’s grave was uncovered again, and the brick arch was replaced with concrete. Renovations in 2024 revealed Charlotte’s grave for the third time. St John’s is the oldest public building in Launceston and is heritage listed.

Read more about the church and its social history in Julian Burgess’ book "St John’s: Launceston’s first church 1825-2025" for sale at the church office.

Marion Sargent

Come along to hear Julian Burgess speaking about the 200-year history of St John's Church on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 2pm ...
07/06/2026

Come along to hear Julian Burgess speaking about the 200-year history of St John's Church on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 2pm at the QV Museum, Inveresk. Everyone is welcome.

National Volunteer Week: 18–24 May 2026This week we celebrate the wonderful volunteers of the Launceston Historical Soci...
18/05/2026

National Volunteer Week: 18–24 May 2026

This week we celebrate the wonderful volunteers of the Launceston Historical Society — the people who work behind the scenes to bring together our community of history enthusiasts. Our 11 dedicated committee members give their time, energy, and passion to make the Society the vibrant organisation it is.

We’ll be seeking new committee members in 2027. If you’re fascinated by our local history and have skills to contribute to the running of the Society, we’d love to hear from you.

Our current committee includes several long serving members: Marion (April 2007); Leonie (April 2010); Catherine (September 2011); Carol (April 2007–11 and from 2019); Brad (February 2018); Sue and Wendy (February 2019); Phil (February 2022); Sophie (February 2024); Franky (February 2025); and Judith (February 2026).

Dianne Cassidy: Launceston Girls’ Industrial SchoolDianne presented a fascinating account of the Launceston Girls’ Indus...
17/05/2026

Dianne Cassidy: Launceston Girls’ Industrial School

Dianne presented a fascinating account of the Launceston Girls’ Industrial School at the Launceston Historical Society meeting on Sunday 17 May 2026. Industrial Schools are institutions for the detention, care and training of children who were neglected, homeless, or considered “uncontrollable”.

It appears that there was a Free and Industrial School in the Bethel Chapel near the wharf at the bottom of St John Street for both boys and girls from about 1862 to 1869. By 1871 Hobart had two industrial schools and three ragged schools, but Launceston had none. Magistrates despaired at to what to do with young female offenders – adult gaols were not suitable, and Hobart didn’t want them.

By January 1877 the Launceston Industrial School for Girls was established by a committee of Protestant ladies, but the five elected governors were all men. A house next to the Congregational Church (later called Milton Hall) in Frederick Street was leased for five years. The first girl admitted was Catherine (Kate) Nicholson who was Catholic. The girls were given a basic education and did washing, ironing, sewing and needlework to earn money for the school. Several girls absconded, but all were returned.

The school had to move as the house was to be demolished for the er****on of the new Congregational Church. A site was purchased in Welman Street, and the school moved to unsuitable temporary accommodation in Canning Street. The Government would not assist with building funds, so the governors purchased the old Salvation Army Home for Fallen Women on the northeast corner of Wellington and Galvin streets. The school moved into there on 9 February 1886 with 30 girls in residence. It proved to be too small, and the committee struggled to make ends meet relying on donations. The school was finally free of debt in 1890/91 but was struggling 10 years later as the government would not provide adequate funds. A new south wing was completed in June 1912, and a north wing was added in 1921 when the school was renamed the Launceston Girls’ Home.

From 1877 to 1921 300 girls had passed through the school. Dianne concluded her talk with profiles of several girls, some of whom went on to live long and productive lives.

Marion Sargent

At the Launceston Historical Society meeting on 17 May 2026 the president, Marion Sargent, presented Prue McCausland wit...
17/05/2026

At the Launceston Historical Society meeting on 17 May 2026 the president, Marion Sargent, presented Prue McCausland with a gift in appreciation of her service to the Society.

In February, Prue McCausland stepped down from the role of correspondence secretary — a position she carried out with dedication for 12 years. The committee deeply appreciates the breadth of work Prue has contributed: assisting the treasurer with Sunday check ins, judging the Primary History Prize, and quietly ensuring the Society runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Her tasks have ranged from writing letters and emails, compiling correspondence lists, to directing people with research queries to the Launceston Library and the Family History Society.

Prue is a wise and thoughtful person, and I have often sought her opinion because I trust her instincts. At one point — as far as I know — she was secretary of five organisations at the same time, which tells you everything about her capability and commitment.

Marion is pictured on the right presenting the newly published book 'Tasmanian Built' to Prue McCausland.

Launceston Historical Society May MeetingSpeaker: Dianne CassidyTopic: Launceston Girls’ Industrial SchoolSunday 17 May ...
24/04/2026

Launceston Historical Society May Meeting

Speaker: Dianne Cassidy

Topic: Launceston Girls’ Industrial School

Sunday 17 May 2026 – 2pm
Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum, Inveresk

The Launceston Girls’ Industrial School was established in 1877 by leading members of Launceston’s Protestant community as a way of helping to get young girls away from a life of vice, and to train them in domestic duties.

Girls who were abandoned by their parents, others whose parents were incarcerated, sick or deceased, and even girls labelled uncontrollable were all able to be admitted, providing they had the signature of two justices and were not of the Catholic persuasion.

Constantly struggling for funds in the early days, the school relied on generous donations of cash and food from the community. As it was a private institution, Government help was distinctly lacking early on and the north versus south rivalry for funding was very much in evidence.

This talk will cover the inception of the school, the various locations it operated from, and the success or otherwise of some of the girls.

After a 34-year career working for Libraries Tasmania, Dianne Cassidy now spends her retirement researching the more unknown and unheralded histories of Launceston people and organisations. She has for many years been involved with research for Digital History Tasmania and the Female Convicts Research Centre.

She is the author of several books including: Cypress Street Cemetery; Charles Street General Cemetery 1841 to 1925; and On the Town: Prostitutes and Brothels of 19th Century Launceston.

All welcome. Admission is free for LHS members and $5 for visitors. Bring cash for a chance to win a prize in the raffle.

Rosalie Triolo: One family’s experiences of WWIRosalie Triolo, OAM, FRHSV gave a powerful and emotional visual presentat...
20/04/2026

Rosalie Triolo: One family’s experiences of WWI

Rosalie Triolo, OAM, FRHSV gave a powerful and emotional visual presentation on the grief suffered by one family and their community during the First World War. The Dennis family from 16 Clarence Street, Perth, Tasmania lost two sons during the war. Archie died from meningitis at Claremont Camp so didn’t see active service. His younger brother Roly was killed in action after three years at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

Their younger sister Edith was Rosalie’s grandmother, and along with other siblings attended the Perth State School during the war. Rosalie asked how children, their parents and teachers coped with their young men going away and deal with the grief of losing those who did not return.

The Dennis family was patriotic; and supporting the British Empire’s war was part of the school curriculum. Edith joined the Red Cross while at school and served for over 80 years. She knitted socks and scarves, made a milk jug cover featuring a map of Australia with the words “Our Bit” crocheted in the centre.

Roly sent postcards home, mostly blank or with a brief greeting only. Edith kept these in a box with “Roly’s letters box” written on the inside of the lid. Roly visited Scotland and sent a broach with a thistle home to Edith which she treasured.

When the Church of England minister knocked on the door and told the family that Roly had died on the 25th or 26th April 1918 the grief was immense. Roly’s father George went outside and chopped wood for hours, tears streaming down his face. His mother Edith sat in the front room and eventually made a cup of tea. Young Edith went to her bedroom and cried.

The dusty Perth School honour board was retrieved from under the school in recent years. It lists 32 soldiers who served in WWI, of which 11 died. Eight boys from the Dennis family served; four did not return home.

This educational resource, with content by Dr Rosalie Triolo, investigates the diverse experiences of Australian school communities during the Great War:
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/resources/schooling-service-and-great-war-secondary-resource

Marion Sargent

There's an update on what is happening at the Launceston History Centre, 56 Frederick Street in The Examiner, 9 April 20...
09/04/2026

There's an update on what is happening at the Launceston History Centre, 56 Frederick Street in The Examiner, 9 April 2026.

08/04/2026

In this year’s John West Memorial Lecture, Archeologist Brad Williams provides an overview of his team's work with the former Queenborough Cemetery exhumations and reburials 2024-25… and the stories of history sometimes forgotten. The project involved the exhumation of nearly two thousand indivi...

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PO Box 1296
Launceston, TAS
7250

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+61438432848

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