The guest speaker for the meeting was Dr. Charles Fahey. Charles retired as a history teacher from La Trobe University in 2018. He is also a keen historian with a particular interest in the history of Bendigo. Charles gave members an insight into the history of Bendigo from the point of view of ordinary everyday people as well as the work and challenges of being an historian. In researching his book Charles analysed the diary of Edward Dyason believed to be in the order of 6 million words. He went through the letters of Maggie Brown written both vertically and horizontally in a bid to save paper. He can remember spending half an hour deciphering one word. Handwriting deteriorates with age.

 

The images of Bendigo in the 1880's depict a very harsh environment. The landscape was denuded of trees and whilst there are a few grand buildings evident most dwellings were very modest with even a spattering of tents. Life expectancy due to accidents and disease was low and there was a high incidence of infant mortality. People such as Edward Dyason who was a partner of George Lansell made a fortune from gold but for the most part poverty, famine and disease were all too common in Bendigo at that time.

 

Stories such as Edward Pope returning to his home after a ten hour shift in the mines to find a stranger in the house, another child, reflect the harsh times of the goldrush. Workers were at the mercy of unscrupulous employers who would terminate their work for little reason. Charles' research demonstrates that George Lansell's relationship with Bendigo was very problematic. He went to great ends to make things very hard for any competitors and at one stage even left Bendigo. During that time Edward Dyason lived in Fortuna where a number of his children were born.

 

Charles maintains that Fortuna is one of the most historically significant homes in Australia. The diaries of Dyason add to the architectural features because they almost tell the story of daily happenings at the home. Charles has completed the research for his book and is now at the editing stage. He hopes to have it published by the end of the year. This work will make a significant contribution to the telling of the story of Bendigo through the eyes of ordinary people. We thank Charles for being our guest and for his very engaging presentation.