Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Darcy in need of funding

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A $20,000 State Government contribution to the restoration of Les Darcy’s grave site is ‘not enough’ to start work on the project.
“Les Darcy was one of our greatest sportsmen, and one of Maitland’s finest sons, and we need to ensure this memorial to him and his career is preserved for generations to come,” said Lands Minister Tony Kelly.

Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Mar, 2010.

Hinton School of Arts Hall

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Hinton School of Arts hall will be repaired thanks to a $28,677 State Government grant.
The hall will be repainted and a wall will be stabilised so the building can be used again by the community.

Full article by Rebecca Berry available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Mar, 2010.

Take a peek at historic property - Blythewood, Lorn

From the Maiitland Mercury report:
Garden lovers will have the chance to peek inside one of Lorn’s historic properties next month.
Bill and Shirley Lennox will throw open the original iron fence of their Federation cottage on April 10 and 11 as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme.
Their home, Blythewood, turns 100 this year and the weekend will act as a celebration for the building, with people invited to wander through the garden and wish the home well.

Full article by James Law available at Maitland Mercury, 23 Mar, 2010.

National Museum of Australia

National Museum of Australia - Friends Magazine, March 2010
  • From fine wool to high fashion: the story of Miss Lilian Faithfull's dress, 1885
  • A current affair from some  60 years ago
  • Canning Stock Route: history in safe hands
  • Historians discuss defining moments at the National Museum

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Veterans honoured

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A few gallant veterans who fought in the Korean War will make history in Maitland this Anzac Day when they lead the march – an honour to also mark the 60th anniversary of that conflict.

“We have a few veterans from the Korean War in Maitland and this Anzac Day will see them take pride of place in the parade,” Fred Goode, vice-president of Maitland RSL sub branch, revealed yesterday.

Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 22 Mar, 2010.

History : magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society

March 2010 edition:
RAHS annual report for 2009; Macquarie Park Place, Sydney; Commemorating Mrs Macquarie in a new millenium; Heraldry in the age of Macquarie.
Evening lecture, Tuesday 30 March 2010: Walter Liberty Vernon: Government Architect. Speaker is Sydney-based heritage consultant Noni Boyd.

Historic St John’s College site at Morpeth

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Designer sells his $80 mil proposal -
The historic St John’s College site at Morpeth, earmarked for a residential and retirement precinct, has been sold. About 18 months after Maitland City Council approved a masterplan for the site on July 14, 2009, Ron Dobler has sold his vision to Retirement by Design, part of the Lend Lease Group.

Full article bt Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 19 Mar, 2010.

Momentum : Maitland City Council News

The Autumn 2010 issue of Momentum includes articles on Steamfest (April 17-18) 25th anniversary celebrations, Morpeth Museum's roof restoration and Maitland Gaol's outdoor cinema on 17th April, 'Stars behind bars'.
Momentum Council news is available online.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Hunter lifestyle magazine

The Feb-March 2010 Hunter lifestyle magazine includes:

Sherborne a stately two-storey residence in Church St., Maitland. "In 1888, Maitland businessman W.G. Lipscomb Esq. built Sherborne for his family, perhaps hardly realsing he was creating a timeless legacy for generations to come."

Why I love my town: Muswellbrook 2333. "This dynamic town has a history spanning 175 years..."

Irish historical photographs available

The National Library of Ireland digital archive has launched its enhanced online service, which has 34,000 photographs recording almost 100 years of Irish history. The photographs of Ireland were taken between 1860-1954.  Access the Database.

Restoring organ not a pipe dream

From the Maitland Mercury report:
An elegant pipe organ dominates the altar at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, East Maitland.
Ornately decorated, the pipes stretch to the ceiling and the congregation often sees the back of organist Lyn Brattan at Sunday services.
It was part of the first Presbyterian Church in Fitzroy Street, East Maitland, in the 1890s, before it was moved to the church on George Street in 1938.
Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 17 Mar, 2010.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Women's History Month

March 2010 is Women's History Month : this year's theme is Demeter's daughters: women's harvest history.
The history of food farming in Australia is much more than the record of agricultural production. When the focus is on women, the story starts with Indigenous food harvesting and is still growing. More information at  Australian Women's History Forum.

Will Walka Water work?

From the Matland Mercury report:
The future of Walka Water Works hangs in the balance without State Government support.
Maitland City Councillor Philip Penfold said the appeal of the popular picnic spot was under threat with the end of a three-year financial agreement between the Department of Lands and Maitland City Council.
Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 09 Mar, 2010.

New grant search engine - Community Grant Guru

Museums & Galleries NSW :  Community Grant Guru developed by GrantReady. This website  provides easy search and browse functions for non-profit organisations to find suitable grants to enhance their projects. Grants and funding programs for community based and not-for-profit organisations are free to search.

How do I salvage flood-damaged records?

From National Archives of Australia:
Records can get wet as the result of anything from floods to burst pipes. When this occurs, urgent action is required to save records from further damage. National Archives provides practical advice at their Frequently Asked Questions page.

Keeping family treasures

People who wish to preserve letters, photos and other items for future generations now have an ideal tool in Keeping Family Treasures – the latest book from the National Archives of Australia. The book provides clear and helpful preservation advice from National Archives conservators for people caring for precious family items. A range of contributors – including food writer Margaret Fulton, ABC presenter Andy Muirhead, singer Hayley Jensen, and actor and historian Alice Garner – offered a special family object of their own for preservation advice.
Keeping Family Treasures is available through the National Archives e-shop for $24.95.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Repairs needed to an ‘Angel of Death’

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The Angel of Peace statue that has stood with sword poised for 87 years above the World War I memorial in Maitland Park could become an angel of death, local RSL officials fear. An inspection has revealed the angel’s hand is crumbling, and her steel sword could plummet from her fingers and possibly injure – perhaps fatally – someone standing below.
Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 01 Mar, 2010.

Fight to preserve a place in history

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland was a fledgling settlement being carved out of a rainforest when Frederick Horatio Dixon met an untimely death in 1839. But 171 years after his death, Frederick Dixon has a continued presence in an isolated, crumbling grave in Eckford Reserve, on Mawson Avenue, East Maitland, where he lays entombed with his wife Jane. Mr Jack Jones wants a new fence erected around the grave to preserve it for future generations.
Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 05 Mar, 2010.

Angel of Peace in Maitland Park disintegrating

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The plight of the slowly disintegrating Angel of Peace in Maitland Park – and the danger it could pose to people – is to be revealed to the NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.
The Angel of Peace has stood with sword poised for 87 years above the World War I memorial in Maitland Park.
Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 05 Mar, 2010.

Paterson relic shows impact of war

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The Hunter Valley’s only remaining air raid shelter, designed to protect children during World War II, will be the focus of this year’s annual Paterson Historic Town Walk. The Paterson community built the shelter in the early 1940s and it remains untouched on a private Church Street property.
Full article by Emma Swain available at Maitland Mercury, 05 Mar, 2010.

Seaham: Historic town has a sense of renewal

From the Maitland Mercury report:
When it comes to historic townships, Seaham has been like a phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s been more than seven decades since a bushfire swept through Seaham, burning down historic and public buildings. The event ‘Back to Seaham Park’ is an attempt to forge a connection between past and present residents of the town.
Full article by Emma Swain available at Maitland Mercury, 04 Mar, 2010.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Society of Australian Genealogists - March workshop

Where to From Here? NSW Land Records
Saturday 20 March (10.00am - 4.00pm)
This day will focus on land and related references (includes mining) by looking at the clues and resources where you may find more. Such clues may involve Title Deeds, Conditional Purchases & Leases, Mining Leases, conflicts arising, resumption, exemption, proclamations, auctions, settlements, grants, selections or criminal actions.
More information at the Society web site.

Maitland 1955 Flood

55 years after the 1955 flood 
Maitland Mercury special issue includes: Fight for life - They hadn’t seen each other since they were clinging to a hay stack for survival in swirling floodwaters 55 years ago.

But yesterday Dick Osborn and Brian Vitnell returned to the centre of the most reported tragedy of the 1955 flood – the site of a signal box on the tracks between Maitland Railway Station and Maitland Hospital.
Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Feb, 2010.

Mitchell Library 100

ONE hundred is a major exhibition at the Mitchell Library, opening 9 March 2010, and the centrepiece of centenary celebrations in 2010.
The Mitchell Library opened its doors on 9 March, 1910. In 2010 we celebrate one hundred years of collecting, collections and service to the people of NSW and Australia.
Visit our micro-site every week to get updates on special events and meet curators and staff in the lead up to, and during, 2010.