A new exhibition at a Wollert retirement village uses artificial intelligence (AI) to bring the region’s history to life.
A Journey Through Time – The History of Wollert includes a series of AI generated photographs that reproduce historic maps and images from Victorian State Library and Whittlesea Historical Society (WHS) archives.
WHS president Barbara Miller held a Wollert history talk on 18 February to open the exhibition which she said is more than just a display.
“It’s a celebration of the people and places that shaped our community,” she said.
“The modern era of technology is working in favour of preserving the stories and historical information.
“It’s a wonderful way for our community to connect with its past.”
The exhibition presents recoloured and detailed photographs depicting the region’s heritage as a dairying and farming community dating back to the mid-1800s.
Ms Miller said Wollert has more homes than ever as developing on the volcanic landscape became easier, and profiting from farms became harder.
“Now there is only an occasional little farm left standing surrounded by homes,” she said.
“New residents still want to know where they are living and the history of the area.
While many local farms only remain in history books, Ms Miller said their family names still live on.
“People with a lot of those early names still live in the district,” she said.
“I’d love for people to come to us with their stories, and not to undervalue them.
Ms Miller said the WHS headquarters are open at the Pioneer Pavilion every Monday morning at the Whittlesea Agricultural Society Showgrounds where people can share their stories.
The History of Wollert exhibition will be open at Sherwin Rise Retirement Village, Monday to Friday 11am-3pm until 6 March.
Visitors can enter the gates at 40 Chetwynd Grove and park at the retirement village clubhouse.
