You may remember the National Library of Australia and Inside History Magazine running a poll last year to select a newspaper for digitization for the Trove website. After vigorous voting, thanks greatly to the people of Hamilton past and present, the Hamilton Spectator (1860-1913) came out the winner. Now it’s fundraising time.
With a target of $10,000, Inside History Magazine are conducting a Pozible campaign to raise funds for the digitisation of the ‘Spec’. A pledge of just $25 will enable about a week of the ‘Spec’ to be digitised. One hundred dollars digitises around a month of ‘Specs’.
If you are a self-confessed “Trovite”, this is a great chance to give a bit back to the wonderful free resource that is Trove. For those of you with an interest in Western District history, the digitisation of the Hamilton Spectator is an important addition to Trove, complimenting the likes of the already digitised Portland Guardian and Horsham Times. The Spectator was (and still is) an important and respected voice of the Western District.
To pledge – Go to Pozible – Inside History Supports Trove. There are just twenty-four days left to make your pledge.
Western District Families 
Good point Mezz. I donated $100 to Wikipedia to alleviate my user-guilt as well, and I have already pledged my $54 to subscribe to current Spectator online and it is really irritating that only the current issue is available, ever, so if I don’t read all of Tuesday’s before Thursday’s comes out, it is lost. An ancestor worked at The Spec 1890’s btw., also
I have just bought a property near Hamilton that has another ancestor connection and shall soon be joining you in the wonderful West.
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