Community
4 June, 2026
Funding secured to digitise the Dispatch
FUNDING has been secured to create a permanent record of 30 years of editions of the Mortlake Dispatch, the region’s oldest newspaper.
As Western District Newspapers reported in April, the Mortlake and District Historical Society (MDHS) has launched an appeal to digitise the entire history of the Mortlake Dispatch.
The digital editions will be uploaded to leading online archive and research database TROVE, which is free for all to access.
In response to the appeal, MDHS president Robert McLaren said grant funding had been secured to cover 30 years of the town’s history.
“MDHS was notified in mid-May that it has gained a second grant in respect to their current project, to have the early copies of the Mortlake Dispatch digitised,” he said.
“Origin Energy BESS Battery Project and the Mortlake Power Plant awarded the MDHS funds as part of their Community Investment Program.
“BESS Origin community relation business partner Catherine Beaumont was in Mortlake in the following week, and met with Jill Clingan, of the MDHS, to discuss the Investment Program grant and the work that the MDHS undertakes for the local community.
“With the funds now raised by MDHS, an order for digitisation has been sent to TROVE, National Library of Australia, Canberra.
“Copies of the Mortlake Dispatch from 1869 through to 1898 and 1904 will be digitised under this first order.”
Mr McLaren said community support would be essential to ensure all editions could be digitised and made available.
“The MDHS is still seeking to raise additional funds towards the digitisation of the Mortlake Dispatch,” he said.
“The MDHS hopes to have all copies held of the Mortlake Dispatch up to 1913 digitised.
“The Great War editions of the paper, 1914 to 1918, have already been digitised.
“Donations can be paid into our bank account – please include the reference MDD and your name with each payment.
“Please note that as MDHS does not hold Donor Gift Recipient status the donation is not tax deductible.”
The Mortlake and District Historical Society bank account details are; Bendigo Bank – BSB 633000 – account number 214730285.
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