Dave Phoenix, President of the Burke and Wills Historical Society, who walked across Australia in the steps of Burke and Wills in 2008, is writing a series of Touring Guides based on his journey.

The first volume, Following Burke and Wills Across Victoria is now available. You can buy online, or buy from the Avenue Bookstore in Albert Park, or from Readings bookstores across Melbourne.

More details.

Burke and Wills: The Scientific Legacy of the Victorian Exploring Expedition was official launched by the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, at the Royal Society's building at 6pm on Friday 18 November 2011. The event was a celebration of all the work put in by the authors and editors, illustrator, designer and publishers (CSIRO) in the production of this fascinating book. It was also a thank you to the State Library, who provided the digital images that make the book so beautiful.

The publication has generated a flurry of articles and reviews - see In the Media to find out who has said what about the book. Although only officially launched on Friday, the first printing has almost sold out and a second printing is on the way. If you haven't already purchased your copy, you can download an order form or buy on-line from CSIRO Publishing.

As part of the research project into indigenous involvement in the Burke and Wills Expediton, Ballarat University held a two day International Conference on 24 and 25 November 2011. Attendees were all active participants in the project and had much interesting material to contribute and share. The interest shown promises well for the overall success of the project, and suggests that it will generate enough new research findings to warrant yet another new book, perhaps a companion volume to the book on the science of the expedition.

The formal inquest of the mock Coronial Enquiry into the deaths of into the deaths of Robert O'Hara Burke, William John Wills and Charley Gray, who died 150 years ago in 1861, was held in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Parliament of Victoria, over the weekend of 23-24 July. It was conducted by Coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass. Witnesses included General Peter Cosgrove (Ret), Dr Darrell Lewis (Australian National Museum), Mr Dave Phoenix (President, Burke and Wills Historical Society), Dr Greg Parkinson (Physiologist), Assoc Prof Ian Clark (University of Ballarat) and Dr Peter Thorne (Royal Society of Victoria).

Dr Hendtlass's findings will be released later this year. But if you missed the event and are curious about the outcomes you can see pictures of the day or read an unauthorised summary by an audience member here

There are no Burke and Wills commemorative events planned for the next three months. However there will be some interesting events later in 2012, so don't go away...