Exhibition: Glimpses of Geelong’s Past.
Visitor Information
Dates: 9-11 October and 16-18 October 2026
Time: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm daily
Venue: The Geelong Club
74 Brougham Street, Geelong
Admission is free. Bookings are not required.
Explore the Story
Glimpses of Geelong’s Past brings together a remarkable selection of artefacts, photographs, maps and historical treasures that reveal the people, places and events that shaped Geelong and District.
Presented by the Geelong Historical Society in partnership with the Geelong Club, the exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to encounter rarely displayed items from the Society’s collections and discover the stories behind them.
Alongside the exhibition, visitors can enjoy guided tours and presentations by local historians, providing fresh insights into Geelong’s rich and diverse heritage.
What’s on Display?
This unique collaborative exhibition brings Geelong’s rich history to life through a captivating collection of long-hidden treasures and historical artifacts hosted within the heritage-listed walls of The Geelong Club.
Visitors can embark on a journey through time across two floors: exploring original 19th-century Queen Anne architecture, ornate period furnishings, and historic honour boards downstairs before moving upstairs to view rare, themed displays from the Geelong Historical Society.
From vintage wedding gowns and early candlestick telephones to historic Corio Bay photographs and personal relics of notable local figures like Foster Fyans, the display offers an intimate look into the community’s past, complete with Friday guest lectures and refreshments at Lascelles’ Bar or lunch at Cafe Felix.
Free Exhibition Lectures
As part of Glimpses of Geelong’s Past, visitors are invited to attend two special presentations by respected local historians. These engaging talks will explore aspects of Geelong’s rich heritage, drawing upon original research, historical records and unique local stories.
Mr Norman Houghton: The Geelong Club and Its Place in Geelong’s History
Friday 9 October 2026, 11.00 am – 12 Noon
Mr Norman Houghton will explore the history of the Geelong Club, one of the city’s most significant institutions. Drawing on historical records and anecdotes, he will examine the Club’s development, its role in the social and civic life of Geelong, and its connections with the people and events that helped shape the region.
Dr David Rowe: Understanding the City’s Historical Development
Friday 16 October 2026, 11.00 am – 12 Noon
Historian and author Dr David Rowe will discuss themes from his acclaimed work About Corayo: A Thematic History of Greater Geelong (2021). His presentation will examine the many threads that have contributed to the growth and character of Greater Geelong, offering fresh perspectives on the region’s Indigenous, environmental, social and civic history.
The Geelong Club restaurant, Cafe Felix, will be open for lunch following the lectures.
All lectures are free, as is the exhibition entry. All events will be held at the Geelong Club,
74 Brougham Street, Geelong. Seating is limited and early arrival is recommended.
