Caloundra Family History Research Inc ( CFHRI ) is a not-for-profit organisation that has Registered Charity status and was founded in May 1993.
Learning about family history also teaches us a lot about ourselves. Our group welcomes all people with little to no experience in researching their ancestors, to those who have already ventured into this fascinating world of history, folklore, myths and secrets.
Our Mission
- Encourage and promote the study of genealogy and the history and heritage of the Caloundra area.
- Make records and indexes of monumental inscriptions, honour boards, church and cemetery registers and other historical sources from the Caloundra area and Queensland.
- Hold regular meetings and educational workshops to assist members and non-members.
- Develop and extend, through acquisition, the holdings of a reference and research library.
- Interact with similar groups and societies on a National and International basis by sharing knowledge and information for the benefit of the community at large.
Our Family History and Research group has so much to offer you:
Our People
Our Patrons are Shauna Hicks OAM and Roy Hanzell.
Shauna Hicks OAM has been tracing her own family history since 1977 and worked in government for over 35 years, primarily in libraries and archives in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. In 2009, she established her own research and consultancy business. Since then, she has written a number of family history guides and is a regular speaker at genealogy expos and conferences. Plus, Shauna has undertaken research for both private and business clients.
Shauna has a number of tertiary qualifications from Queensland universities including a Master of Arts in Australian Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Library Science, and a Diploma in Family Historical Studies from the Society of Australian Genealogists. She is a Fellow of the Queensland Family History Society; a recipient of the Australian Society of Archivists Distinguished Achievement Award and the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations Services to Family History Award. In June 2024, Shauna was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to community history.
Roy Henzel is well known in the Caloundra area. He has had many years of experience starting at the age of 14 as a mail boy in the family real estate business, Henzells Agency, a Sunshine Coast real estate firm serving the community since 1935. He graduated in Accountancy from the Qld. University of Technology and then moved into real estate, continuing the family tradition of community involvement, property development, and customer service.
Roy remains committed to supporting local charities, clubs, and community initiatives. He enjoys connecting with people, preserving local heritage, and helping families find their place on the Sunshine Coast. We hope that he will bring a range of networking and social avenues that will attract new members, not only in the local area, but all along the Sunshine Coast. He is keen to spread the word on our future plans.
We have a growing membership of about 110 members who are encouraged and assisted in their research of family history.
Our Executive Committee meet most months.
When you join the group, you will be assigned a Buddy to help you with your family history journey or to orientate you to the group’s functions.
There are member volunteers who man the Family History Library and assist you in your research needs. More member volunteers cater for our afternoon teas, set up equipment and perform other tasks that keep the groups running smoothly.
The CFHRI is a member of History Queensland (HQ) and the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO). We also have affiliated membership with the Queensland Family History Society (QFHS) & Genealogy Sunshine Coast (GSC). Many of our members attend education and research activities provided by them. You will require proof of membership to visit these affiliated societies.
ABN: 90 259 383 516 Incorporation No: IA29756
Our Resources
The library offers an up-to-date and comprehensive collection that includes all manner of printed materials and books, CDs loaded onto computers, microfiche, journals and computers & scanners to save your documents digitally.
Find out more about our library resources.
Our Activities
We provide regular education sessions by way of On-Screen Demonstrations, access to genealogy websites, workshops, seminars and classes on family history.
We offer monthly general meetings to members where guest speakers share their knowledge and research expertise.
With 8 meetings held monthly, the Interest Groups are for members who wish to research in England & Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Family Tree Maker Software, DNA, FamilySearch and Writing, as required.
The Lorrie Barzdo Writers’ Award is held annually to encourage members to write and share their family history stories.
We offer research and project support and courses on demand.
Members attend group outings to other Family History groups’ functions, seminars and visit local libraries, museums and heritage sites.
Plus there are social opportunities for members to get to know each other, network and share family history research tips or guide others on researching.
We liaise with the active Sunshine Coast Council Heritage program.
Funds are raised through various fundraising activities to ensure we can supplement and improve our resources for our members.
We were very proud to host the Queensland Family and Local History Conference, Waves in Time on the Sunny Coast in 2019. The Waves in Time Website is now archived at Trove.
Our Communications
We share information and advise our activities to members and non-members, and recruit new members through our website, Facebook, and our monthly meetings. Members can view online our monthly Newsletter and 3 monthly Journal, “The Caloundra Clipper”.
Please Like Us on Facebook.
Our Location
Our rooms are located at Sunshine Coast Turf Club precinct, Pierce Avenue, Little Mountain. Entry is via Gate 2 and you will find the CFH rooms first building on the right (red icon). There is plenty of parking outside the building.
Want to know more? Then visit our rooms during opening hours or email our membership officer directly.