**BOOKED OUT** History Alive Talk - Soldier Settlements

**This event is now booked out**

Enjoy this Soldier Settlements history talk presented by the Orange & District Historical Society and Central West Libraries. Guest speakers are:

* Research Librarian Trudi Mayfield: Centenary of WWI project in Orange

* Dr Selena Williams: Soldier Settlement in Orange and District After World War I

* Author and filmmaker Michael Caulfield: From Amiens to Armistice

Dr Selena Williams has examined the experiences of a small cohort of twenty men who took up land as soldier settlers in Orange and district after World War One. Taking into account the experiences of these men, she will question if the Australian government’s vision of supplying to returned soldiers, ‘land fit for heroes’ achieved all it was meant to. Many of these returned soldiers took up their blocks in poor health with ongoing mental and physical disabilities that were the result of their war service. She will examine if or indeed how, this poor health impacted on their ability to farm successfully and if it contributed to settlers forfeiting and walking off their land. She will also discuss if the experiences of the men from Orange and district were different to other soldier settlers across New South Wales.

A delicious light supper will be served after the speaker presentations by members of the Orange & District Historical Society.

Please note this event will be held in the West Room located next door to Orange City Library from 6.30pm.