PORT Macquarie & Districts Family History Society has won three awards in two months.
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The awards were a reflection of the hard voluntary work of members, said society president Rex Toomey.
"To get the whole three awards at once is so special for our society," he said.
The society won the Nick Vine Hall Award for its May 2013 issue of the journal Footsteps, which highlighted the publication of St Thomas' Anglican Church early parish registers and also contained a range of quality member-written articles.
The Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations presents the award to member societies.
Then came the Dorothy Fellowes Website Award for a website designed and administered by a society member.
Pauline Every took on the web administrator role about four years ago.
Miss Every said the website was user friendly and easy to navigate.
The retired marriage celebrant and former retail worker was new to website design and administration when she started in the role but she hasn't looked back.
The society was honoured with the award at the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies annual conference at Wollongong.
The society's publication, Church of St Thomas Port Macquarie Early Parish Registers, is another success story.
The cross-referenced publication picked up Category 2A of the Australian Society of Archivists Mander-Jones Awards.
In 1996, the Australian Society of Archivists introduced this award for publications in the field of archives and record keeping.
Retired archivist and society member Clive Smith was integral in the register project. The records provide an insight into early settler and convict history.
Mr Toomey said the award, which recognised the quality of the publication, was an extra feather in the society's cap.
Society members assisted in proof reading and transcription.
Meanwhile, a committee of society members is organising the NSW & ACT Association of Family History Societies state conference in Port Macquarie in September next year.
Conference coordinator Jennifer Mullin said the conference would have a huge economic impact.
The society is hoping to attract up to 350 delegates.
A fair, run in conjunction with the conference, is designed for beginners and people with a basic interest, while the conference is aimed at experienced family history researchers.
