By Oliver Lees
A new book that spans Kyneton’s history has hit the shelves.
Kyneton, from Past to Present by Larina Strauch and Ken McKimmie draws on an archive of images and maps to build a snapshot of the town’s history from 1844 to 2020.
With 40 individual case studies, Strauch said the book is not designed to create a comprehensive history, but rather a collection of snapshots of notable moments and locations.
“It’s a walk through our history, designed as an educational local history tool,” Strauch said.
“Ken came to me in 2015 with the idea, and since then we’ve worked together on the project as I’ve done a lot of the research and he’s done the interviews.
“I am really aware that once something is in print, people will believe it. So we’d try to be as thorough as we possibly could with our writing.”
Having grown up in Romsey, Strauch moved to Melbourne as an 18-year-old to work as a journalist.
She returned to the Macedon Ranges in 1978, when her husband was accepted to work as a gardener for the Shire of Kyneton.
Strauch has been involved in the Kyneton Saleyards for more than 40 years and currently serves as secretary for the Kyneton Historical Society.
“I think my interest in Kyneton’s history started when I used to run the caravan park in town, and I wanted to be able to authentically and professionally communicate our history,” she said.
In the book’s foreword, Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said the book is a valuable contribution to the area.
“I know every reader will find something of the old Kyneton they remember personally or have heard about from others, whilst learning new stories they were not previously aware of at the same time,” Cr Anderson said.
Kyneton, from Past to Present is available from the Kyneton Historical Society and Aesop’s Attic Bookshop.
