Sunday 23rd October, 2022
2.00pm
Guest Speaker: Dr Madonna Grehan
Victoria’s 1852 Bill for compulsory civil registration of births, deaths and marriages passed without fanfare. By contrast, the scheme devised in 1853 to implement this legislation attracted accolades for its administrative scope and statistical forethought. The architect of Victoria’s ‘complete registry system’ was a self-confident actuary, William Henry Archer, just off the ship from England and, later, a long-time resident of Hawthorn. Dr Grehan will explain the characteristics and implementation of Archer’s model, and consider what may have informed his thinking in executing this enormous administrative project.
Dr Grehan is an independent historian and President of the Medical History Society of Victoria
Hawthorn Community Precinct
584 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Information: 0451 830 130
hawthornhistoricalsociety@gmail.com