About us

Our Society is run entirely by Volunteers

We have a dedicated group of volunteers who work 'front of house' on open days and special events, as well as contributing hundreds of hours working on projects at the museum and from home. Everything you see: exhibitions, photographs, books, our impressive collection of historic documents and family histories are the work of our volunteers. Volunteering also has a social element, an opportunity to meet like-minded people. We always need more helpers so contact us if you love history and have a few hours per week to offer. We hold frequent meetings whereby volunteers can meet others and raise issues. 

Currently the ‘Shed ‘is being renovated to display many of the tools.

There are also a number of members who have had long term connections to the history of the district and have been able to provide an excellent recall about people, places and events that have occurred. The items on display and the contents of the research archives are preserved for the use and enjoyment of the community and visitors.

VISIT THE MUSEUM ON OPEN DAYS, 

every Sunday  2026.

Due to our successful Open Day on Sunday, 21 April 2024, we aim to open every Sunday.  Our Museum is a listed National Trust building which we showcase to the general public. Everyone is welcome to visit us on our Open Day Sundays or by appointment. In the late 1840s, pastoral properties on the Bellarine were subdivided into wheat fields and then smaller farms growing onion, potato, asparagus, dairies, etc when the railway arrived. It was the major food supplier to the Port Phillip District. As the population grew, towns prospered. You can view historical buildings in Drysdale and Portarlington using our well-documented walking and driving guides. View the Old Mill, Grand Hotel, school houses, elegant churches, simple cottages, early commercial and other establishments. At the Museum  enjoy new exhibitions of artefacts from an earlier, almost forgotten age.  View PowerPoint images of historic Bellarine. Book an appointment or make a research request using this button.

The society holds a comprehensive collection of maps from the Bellarine are most of which are digitised.

Contact Us

Some interesting items held by the Museum

Long line Fishing. 

This is a length of line with a number of baited hooks attached at intervals. A total of 200 hooks is the maximum for Port Phillp Bay licence holders. There is a set time the line is allowed in the water. Once caught the fish are stored in a salty slurry.

Blacksmith Bellows.

Long before farm machinery became the norm many farmers relied on the local blacksmith to shoe the horses, and make many farm implements.

There were many different sizes of bellows depending on what they were used for. Some were too heavy for the task, so the 'Smithy' would make a platform on which the bellow was placed, making it much easier to pump the air on the hot coals.