Welcome to the Warrnambool Family History Group Inc., a volunteer run organisation based at HeritageWorks, 2 Gilles St, Warrnambool.

The basic purpose of the Group is to foster the study of Family History in Warrnambool and the surrounding district by conducting a varied range of activities in which members and the public may participate.

Warrnambool is the major coastal city in the south-west of the State of Victoria, Australia. The population of Warrnambool is around 36,000 and is located on the beautiful Great Ocean Road & 'shipwreck coast' and is surrounded by some of the most productive dairying land in Australia.

The first settlers arrived in the district in the late 1830s, the town was surveyed in 1846 and the first land sales occurred in July 1847 in Melbourne. Thus the township of Warrnambool began.

Early industries included sheep grazing and wool sales, limestone extraction and wheat and potato growing. Shipping, for both passengers and cargo, connected Warrnambool with other coastal ports and two jetties were positioned in Lady Bay. 

In 1890 the breakwater was completed and the railway arrived in town. By the early 20th century Warrnambool was a major market town.

Today, Warrnambool is a thriving city, a base for many industries and a tourist destination.

HeritageWorks, the combined home of the Warrnambool Family History Group and the Warrnambool & District Historical Society, is located at 2 Gilles St, Warrnambool. HeritageWorks is accessed via the wire gate between Mozart Hall and History House and is located behind Mozart Hall.

Opening Hours:

HeritageWorks will be closed for the Christmas break from Friday 16th December 2022 and will reopen on Monday 16th January 2023.

As of July 2023, HeritageWorks is open and staffed by Family History Group volunteers on:

Tuesdays: 10am to 12noon

Wednesdays: 10am to 12noon

Volunteers are available by appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

HeritageWorks is also open and staffed by Historical Society volunteers on:

Tuesdays: 1pm to 4pm

Thursdays: 1pm to 4pm

Fridays: 10am to 2pm

Please phone HeritageWorks on 5561 0283 to ensure that volunteers will be present.

Weekends and other times, by appointment. Please email: familyhistory@warrnamboolheritageworks.org.au