By Parker McKenzie
Historian Helen Coulson, best known in the hills for her book Story of the Dandenongs, has passed away at the age of 103.
The Echuca Historical Society, which Ms Coulson helped found, announced her passing on Facebook on April 17.
“Her contribution to the heritage of Echuca and the history of Victoria is unsurpassed and valued by all,” the Society said.
“Her contribution and dedication to EHS has been outstanding over many years and will be greatly missed.”
Ms Coulson wrote Story of the Dandenongs in 1959, chronicling the history of the area and the early pioneer life into the post-war era from 1838 to 1958.
Prior to her 100th birthday in 2018, Ms Coulson spoke to the Star Mail about the longevity of her history book.
“I’m quite pleased to hear that it’s still being used as a reference book,” she said.
“I suppose there have been other books since then, but the fact that it would’ve been the first to encompass that area makes it special.”
After growing up in Upwey in the 1920s and 1930s, Ms Coulson moved to Horsham in 1948, where published her first history book. The Dandenong Ranges Council commissioned the Story of the Dandenongs and it was published just over a decade later. It has since been reprinted several times and remains one of the definitive resources for those interested in the history of the hills.
Ms Coulson spent the last 60 years of her life living in Echuca, where she founded the historical society and wrote more books on Australian history.
