History funds for Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Three Maitland organisations have secured state government grants for historical projects.

Maitland and District Historical Society will use its $1500 grant to research the written and oral histories of the Lower Hunter from settlement in the 1800s to today.

Maitland City Library will use their $1000 grant to promote the history and heritage of the the city.

And the Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles will produce a history of the clothing and textile industry in the Hunter Valley with their $500 grant.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 21, 2012.

Forgotten gem of the Hunter

From the Maitland Mercury report:
One of Maitland’s most historic bridges will be re-opened today following a multimillion dollar upgrade. Dunmore Bridge, at Woodville, will be opened at 3pm ahead of the weekend’s bicentenary celebrations.

Dunmore Bridge was built in 1899 and is one of only three remaining Allan Truss Road Bridges in NSW.
“We’re going all out to celebrate our 200th anniversary because we’re proud of our unique place in the region’s heritage and think it deserves to be more widely shared and known,” Woodville School of Arts publicity officer Bob Beale said.
“Woodville is largely a forgotten gem in the Hunter’s history. In fact, this year is also the bicentenary of free settlement and of farming for the whole Hunter region and beyond into the rest of mainland Australia, because Woodville is where it all started. Also of interest is that Les Darcy was born here.”

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 19, 2012.

A Day at the Museum: An Event for Regional Curators

A Day at the Museum: An Event for Regional Curators
This event is specifically designed to showcase opportunities to regional gallery and museum curators, managers and directors on how to borrow from the Australian Museum collection.

When: Friday 23 November 2012, 10.00am – 3.00pm
Where: Night Parrot Room, Australian Museum (entry from William Street, East Sydney)
Cost: $55
Info.: Museums & Galleries NSW

NSW History Council Max Kelly Medal

Submissions are now open for the Max Kelly Medal

The Max Kelly Medal plus a prize of $500 is awarded annually to a ‘beginning’ historian for a work of excellence in any aspect of Australian history. The Medal was established as a tribute to Associate Professor Maxwell John Kelly (1935-1996), the first elected President of the History Council, who died suddenly in 1996.
Nominations for work undertaken in 2012 for the 2013 Award will close 15 December 2012.
More information: http://historycouncilnsw.org.au/excellence/max-kelly-medal/

Contact: admin@historycouncilnsw.org.au

Maitland Heritage Mall

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The grand plans for the new look Maitland Heritage Mall have been hung and are ready for your feedback.

Maitland City Council has decked out the former city centre management office with four two-metre long pictures that capture what the precinct could look like in the future if council and the community approve the design.

 

Full article availabel at Maitland Mercury Oct. 18, 2012.

Morpeth school rings in 150 years of history

From the Maitland Mercury report:
One hundred and fifty years ago a blacksmith crafted a bell for Morpeth Public School to mark the beginning and end of each school day.

 

The name of the blacksmith has been lost in history, but after an extensive restoration process, that same bell has been rejuvenated to its former glory just in time for the school’s sesquicentenary celebrations.
Parents Rod Studdert and Barry McGaw took it upon themselves to make the restoration possible and called in favours from across the district, including the help of Ben Emmett and Hayden Sheeley who assisted in the installation on Saturday, and Mick Wisemantle who provided the post.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 16, 2012.

Sisters looking for memorabilia

From the Maitland Mercury report:
On January 13, 1883, a small group of nuns set off from their new home in Singleton to begin work in the village of Morpeth.

Here the Sisters of Mercy began their long association with Maitland and the continuation of an order known in their native land of Ireland as the ‘walking nuns’.

 

“On January 13 next year it will be 130 years since a small group of nuns came to Morpeth from Singleton,” Morpeth nun Sister Bernadette Mills said. “There were about six or seven pioneers and from them congregations were formed at Gunnedah, Murrurundi, Raymond Terrace, Muswellbrook and Morpeth.”
In the years that followed nuns were sent to East Maitland and also to Monte Pio to work at both the orphanage and the junior secondary school.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 15, 2012.

Historic Mansfield back to new and reaping rewards

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A large scale project to transform the thoroughbred of Maitland’s architectural landscape to its former glory has begun.

The front room of High Street’s Mansfield function centre – complete with its intricate marble floor – is almost complete with work now underway on the remaining 13 rooms of the three-tiered building.
Built in the late 1800s by the commercial banking company of Sydney to the tune of 20,000 pounds, Mansfield has spent the past 14 years as a function centre.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 15, 2012.

Grandaughter's tears at first photograph of grandfather

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Aenone McRae-Clift had been searching for information about her grandfather on the internet...
“I was actually looking up the cemetery in France where my grandfather (Dudley Joseph Clift) is buried and for some reason, I can’t explain, I just typed in his name and I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Aenone said.
There on her screen was a story published in The Maitland Mercury, on September 26, 2012, and the photograph of her grandfather she had never seen.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 12, 2012.

Proud achievement: The Bloomfield Group celebrates 75th anniversary

From the Maitland Mercury report:
This weekend marks the 75th anniversary of The Bloomfield Group, an Australian-owned and operated group of private companies with interests in coal mining and engineering.

From humble origins [East Maitland], steady growth over more than seven decades has seen it grow into a multi-million dollar business that employs about 500 people.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury Oct. 12, 2012.

Oral History and Photography master class

There will be two parts to this full day master class. Part 1 explores approaches using photographs in oral history interviews. Part 2 discusses approaches with interpreting photographs and memories as historical evidence.

When: Saturday 10 November 2012
Where: Parramatta Heritage & Visitor Information Centre Seminar Room, Church Street, Parramatta
Cost: $200, $150 (OHAA members) includes morning and afternoon tea
More: www.ohaansw.org.au

Recollections of Liverpool’s Past

City of Liverpool & District Historical Society Inc.
Historical Society – 53 years of collectingThis is the first exhibition at Liverpool Regional Museum curated by The City of Liverpool & District Historical Society Inc. Local residents have asked to have an exhibition containing Liverpool items only. The Historical Society has responded with this lovely exhibition.

Launch: Saturday 10 November 2012 (booking required)
Where: Liverpool Regional Museum, Corner Hume Highway and Congressional Drive Liverpool
Contact: Judy Pack, President
Phone: 02 9605 1341
Email: tamla.jp@gmail.com

Urban sprawl has Anambah House in its path

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland’s urban sprawl is set to smash headlong into historic Anambah House.

In a last ditch attempt to halt the encroachment, Anambah House owners Jann and Maurizio Zappacosta have engaged a senior Sydney town planner to challenge the 80 lots proposed under the Anambah Urban Release Area.

“It’s obviously a forgone conclusion,” Mrs Zappacosta said. “We just wanted to maintain some of the rural amenity of the place.”
Maitland City Council planners rejected claims by the Zappacosta family that the development would adversely affect the heritage value of the 1889 home once the heart of a rich agricultural holding.
In a report to council, town planner Cindy Dickson has recommended the additional houses – up from 50 – in a draft amendment to the development control plan.
Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 8, 2012.

Home is going home at Tocal

From the Maitland Mercury report:
For many years the small white cottage on the side of Tocal Road has been somewhat of a mystery residence. Vacant for many years, the humble weatherboard abode – known as Daly Kidd Cottage – has stood at its current location for more than 60 years.
But now the building – once home to those who worked for Myrtle and Marguerita Curtis of Tocal Homestead – is about to be returned to its original site at the homestead.

“The cottage was moved from the homestead to its current location in the 1950s, apparently to allow for more privacy for the Misses Curtis who were then living in Tocal Homestead,” principal of Tocal Agricultural College Dr Cameron Archer said.
“And it is in remarkably good condition despite its looks but following relocation the cottage will be fully conserved.”
The cottage was constructed in 1916 during the time of the marriage of Leslie Earle (Daly) Kidd to Alice Chambers. Daly Kidd worked on Tocal and had also driven coaches for the Fry family of Paterson.
In 1911 Daly Kidd drove the last coach from Maitland to Paterson.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 8, 2012.

Capturing Memories: Oral History in the Digital Age

Come and discuss best practice standards, ensuring oral histories are conducted ethically and utilise all digital resources available. You will also find out all you need to know to start recording oral history interviews, plus tips for editing, preparing an interview summary and transcription.

When: Friday 19 October 2012
Where: History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Cost: $105, $95 (OHAA and RAHS members)
More: http://www.ohaansw.org.au/

Schooner of Les Darcy, please

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Les Darcy is a Maitland icon. A street has been named after him, a statue of the boxing legend stands in East Maitland . . . and now a beer has been named in his honour.

But does naming a beer after a sporting legend send the wrong message about drinking?

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 10, 2012.

U.K. National Archives

U.K. Archives for family history:
Looking for a person?

The research guidance listed on the web site can help you uncover a person's history. Each guide tells you where you can find, access and understand the relevant records.
The National Archives holds many records which can help you find out about people's lives, deaths and careers. The guides also point to useful records in other archives and organisations, and reveal which records are available online.
U.K. Archives - looking for a person.

Looking back on the early Hunter’s wild side

From the Maitland Mercury report:
In 1812 Governor Macquarie placed an order for 500 cedar logs to be sourced from Newcastle.
As a reward for their excellent work, Macquarie allowed four convict timber cutters to settle on small areas of land at Paterson River. And so began the story of the first Europeans to settle outside the Sydney basin.

“This was actually the earliest settlement outside the Sydney basin, which is quite incredible,” author of European Settlement at Paterson River 1812 to 1822 Brian Walsh said.
In his book, the local historian focuses on those who settled in the area on both sides of the Paterson River from 1812.
The book coincides with the 200th anniversary of Woodville – also the birthplace of the Maitland Wonder Les Darcy.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 2, 2012.

Australian War Memorial

Australian War Memorial: Treasures from a Century of Collecting

This outstanding new book tells the story of the Memorial and its National Collection, one of the most significant collections of military history in the world. Lavishly illustrated with Collection images and specially commissioned photography, each copy of Australian War Memorial: Treasures from a Century of Collecting will be signed by author Nola Anderson, the Memorial's Acting Director.

Pre-orders are now being accepted for shipping in late October.  Preorder now

Hunter celebrates 150 years of policing

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland police played a pivotal role in the Hunter’s celebrations of 150 years of NSW policing yesterday.
Maitland-based Inspector Tim Seymour led his colleagues through the streets of Newcastle yesterday in a march to celebrate NSW Police Force’s 150th anniversary and to remember the police officers who died in the line of duty during that time.

Full article availabe at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 4, 2012.

St Luke's be praised ... little church is 100

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Holding memories of baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals, St Luke’s Anglican, Church, has been an integral part of the Rutherford/Telarah community for more than 100 years.
This weekend parishioners will gather to commemorate the centenary.

The church was dedicated for service on April 13, 1912, and consecrated soon after. During the early 1980s the church was refurbished.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Sept. 28, 2012.

Society of Australian Genealogists

'Lost in England' weekend

Be ‘Lost In England’ for a weekend with Michael Gandy!

The Society is delighted to welcome back to Sydney UK genealogist Michael Gandy, who has accepted our invitation to be the main speaker at this year’s annual Lost in seminar. The 2012 theme is Lost in England, and Michael will be presenting four sessions over the weekend, together with a variety of excellent local speakers and a special ‘virtual visit’ from FindMyPast’s Elaine Collins.

Lost in England is being held in the Dixson Room of the Mitchell Library on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 November and further details will be found here. Numbers are strictly limited and if you book before 12 October you go in the draw for a special early-bird prize!