Supported by the City of Melville and hosted by the Melville History Society (MHS), the 2008 Murdoch Lecture will welcome respected historian and author Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Bolton, AO with his presentation ‘Three Cheers for the Suburbs!’ in recognition of the 40^th anniversary of the granting of City status to Melville.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the 2008 Murdoch Lecture will be a chance to celebrate 40 years as a City and 25 years of actively preserving the City’s history. “Our City’s 40th anniversary gives us a chance to look back on many great achievements and interesting milestones over the past four decades,” he said. “The MHS has been instrumental in recording and preserving our City’s valuable history.”

Inaugural Melville History Society President Wendy Birman will make a short address at the lecture and Mayor Russell Aubrey will present founding members with a certificate to mark the special occasion.

Foundation member Robin Reid said MHS was founded in 1983 to foster interest in local history. “The group originally met at Wireless Hill and in 1988 rallied to get the Miller Bakehouse in Palmyra heritage listed,” he said. “We now hold monthly talks at the Miller Bakehouse and strive to conserve and preserve local historical information in the Melville community.”

The 2008 Murdoch Lecture will be held at the second floor Conference room, Melville Civic Centre, 10 Almondbury road, Booragoon. Light refreshments will be available after the lecture.

For more information, contact the Society on 9364 2089 or Local History Officer Kaylene Poon on 9364 0158.