Elizabeth Farm - Museums Australia (NSW) Tour and Talk

Tour and talk conducted by Bronwyn Alcorn, Manager of Elizabeth Farm, Wednesday 3rd March, 2010, 4pm.

The farm was built in 1793 for John Macarthur, known as the father of the wool industry, and his wife Elizabeth. Tales of passion and anguish, early colonial political skulduggery and the genesis of Australia's wool trade are cemented into these walls.
Bronwyn will talk about the remaining mysteries of the architecture and past of the farm.
Elizabeth Farm, Historic Houses Trust of NSW
70 Alice Street, Rosehill

Nostalgia Festival at Kurri Kurri

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The Nostalgia Festival takes over Kurri Kurri for one weekend in March each year.

In its seventh year, the event will run on March 26, 27 and 28.
The program of events includes Elvis-escorted tours of Hunter Valley Gardens, DJs in Rotary Park, a Show and Shine and a Vegas-style wedding vow renewal ceremony.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 22 Feb, 2010.

Bringing Them Home Online - Oral History Interviews

To mark the second anniversary of the apology to members of the Stolen Generations, the National Library of Australia has launched a special website featuring the oral history interviews with people who were involved in or affected by the removal of Indigenous children from their families.

The aim of the project has been to collect and preserve the stories of affected Indigenous people and others, including police, missionaries and administrators.
The Bringing Them Home interviews are being made available - in collaboration with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - in consultation with the people interviewed or their next of kin.

Morpeth Courthouse : a place of justice, a place of community

Ann Beaumont's book, Morpeth Courthouse : a place of justice, a place of community is now available. Ann said "When I started to write the history of the Morpeth Courthouse it soon became obvious it must not be a mere documentation of its architectural merits and uses. It needed to reflect the social history of the town and the changing face of society."

Collections Council of Australia

The Collections Council of Australia has made a submission to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garrett's consultation around a National Cultural Policy.

The submission is available at the Collection Council's web site.
The CCA’s submission argues that a comprehensive National Cultural Policy must include a commitment to the care of collections. The nation’s collections are held by a range of organisations including archives, galleries, libraries and museums. These collections are an integral part of Australia's cultural life.

U.K. records - births, marriages and deaths at sea

The U.K. National Archives have announced that births, marriages and deaths at sea can now be searched for from BMD Registers.co.uk. 
Previously only available on microfilm at The National Archives you can now search online for over 150,000 individuals who were passengers at sea between 1854 and 1908.
You can also search passenger lists from 1890 to 1960 with ancestorsonboard.com to find out if your ancestor went to sea. These lists include the names of immigrants, emigrants, businessmen, diplomats and tourists and can be searched by name, destination, port of departure and ship name.

Una is show’s living treasure

From the Maitland Mercury report:
East Maitland has a living treasure in Una Farley.

Mrs Farley was born in Maitland 90 years ago and was one of Maitland Show’s most versatile women horse riders in 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. She keeps two boxes of show ribbons in her cupboards to prove it, some that date back to 1932, but it is the memories of her riding days that she really treasures.

Full article by James Law available at Maitland Mercury, 12 Feb, 2010.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission War Graves Photographic Project

The CWGC is working in association with The War Graves Photographic Project (TWGPP) to supply photographs, either emailed or hard copies, of gravestones or memorials to those that request them. The TWGPP is a volunteer based organisation who are digitally recording every war grave around the world.
If you would like to use the service or volunteer your help please visit the site.

Heritage value clouds future

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The historical value of a pedestrian footbridge has been called into question while its future is shadowed under a wrecking ball.
Maitland City Council will oppose an Australian Rail Track Corporation proposal to close the William Street footbridge in East Maitland because of its importance to a range of users.

The historical importance of the bridge has also been raised, being part of the route of the Maitland Heritage Walk promoted by the Visitors Information Centre, linking Maitland Gaol and East Maitland Court House with Stockade Hill and Glebe cemetery.
 
Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 10 Feb, 2010.

Obituary : Doris Isobel Tucker

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Death of newspaper man’s widow a loss to city :
Doris Isobel Tucker: November 22, 1922 - February 1, 2010

The wife of former Maitland Mercury general manager Ken Tucker has died. Doris Isobel Tucker, formerly of East Maitland, died on February 1, aged 87 years. A service took place for Mrs Tucker at Newcastle Memorial Park, Beresfield, on February 5.

Full article by Emma Swain available at Maitland Mercury, 08 Feb, 2010

National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries

The Collections Council of Australia is a member of the National Standards Taskforce which is now preparing to update Version 1.0 of the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries. To facilitate discussion about the Standards, the Taskforce has set up a group within the maNexus website. This website enables people to start new discussions easily, and to comment on other people’s suggestions. Access to maNexus is free of charge, and anyone can visit the site to view the discussion. To visit the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries group on maNexus, go to: http://manexus.ning.com/group/NSFAMG

History Week 2010 Registrations Open

The History Council of New South Wales invites event registrations for History Week 2010 to be held 4-12 September 2010. History Week is our state's annual festival of history. The official theme for this year is Faces in the Street.

More details at the History Council of New South Wales.

Soldiers reburied after 94 years lost

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The remains of 11 Hunter soldiers, five of them from Maitland, could be among those reburied in coming days in historic ceremonies at the World War I battle site of Fromelles. Maitland RSL sub-branch vice-president Fred Goode said the ceremonies held special significance for their members and for many local people.

Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 01 Feb, 2010.

Shake Your Family Tree Day – 23 February 2010

To encourage more Australians to unearth personal treasures, the National Archives is hosting a Shake Your Family Tree day in each of our capital city offices. Each Archives office will offer a range of activities including talks, preservation workshops, demonstrations and introductory research training.
Sydney : 120 Miller Road, Chester Hill (02) 9645 0162.
Shake your family tree.

History buff pays tribute to Governor

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Coalfields Heritage Group history buff Brian Andrews has written his 114th book in honour of Governor Lachlan Macquarie who visited Maitland while he was in charge of the NSW colony 200 years ago.

Full article by Rebecca Berry available at Maitland Mercury, 29 Jan, 2010.