Newcastle Earthquake Then and Now - Newcastle Museum

Commemorating 25 years since the Newcastle earthquake.

At 10:27am, 28 December 1989, an earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale shook Newcastle, resulting in 13 deaths and massive property damage. The earthquake surprised Novocastrians despite previous recorded earthquakes.
This December marks 25 years since the earthquake which altered not only the built environment of Newcastle but also the community’s identity, nationally and internationally. This traumatic event led to a rebuilding, resilience and life altering rebirth.

Full details at the Newcastle Museum website.

Society of Australian Genealogists January 2015 events

Society of Australian Genealogists 2015 events 

LECTURE	Identifying Australian House Styles
Judy Keena
Can you put all your photos in time and place? In this seminar, learn how to do the architecture detective work that can add important context to your family history. Bring any photos you are unsure of (houses, gardens, backyards etc.).
Saturday 10 January	10.30am to 12.30pm
120 Kent Street	$20 members, $30 non members

WORKSHOP:	Hands On Workshop: Perfect Printing Every Time
Sylvia Murphy and Lorraine Brothers
Using the licenced websites (FindMyPast, Ancestry etc.) available at the SAG Library is a great way to get maximum benefit from your SAG membership and the Library’s resources. Learn how to download, edit and print images and pages from these and other sites such as Trove and British Newspaper Archive for perfect presentation and readability. Limit 14.
Friday 16 January	1.30pm to 3.30pm
379 Kent Street	$30 members, $45 non members

Remember me: the lost diggers of Vignacourt

State Library of New South Wales Exhibition

The small French village of Vignacourt was always behind the front lines. For much of the First World War it was a staging point, casualty clearing station and recreation area for troops of all nationalities moving up to and then back from the battlefields on the Somme. Remember me: the lost diggers of Vignacourt tells the story of how one enterprising photographer took the opportunity of this passing traffic to establish a business taking portrait photographs.

1 November, 2014 to 18 January, 2015
Exhibition Galleries, Level 1
Free

Maitland Woolworths bombing 1980

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Minutes before 2am on December 19, 1980, Maitland Woolworths was bombed.
Located in High Street at the time, next to the Westpac Bank, the blast caused $300,000 of stock damage.
A bomb had been lowered through a vent near the back car park of the variety shop.
Police were aware that Woolworths at Warilla had also been bombed with gelignite using a timer attached, and it too had been lowered through the roof.
Three days after the Maitland bombing, Woolworths in George Street, Sydney received a call and a letter addressed to then company executive Mr AJ Harding with a list of demands.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 18, 2014.

Stylist in Maitland to look for historical projects

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Yvonne Maule has dedicated much of her life to renovating and redesigning some of Australia’s finest abodes.
And now, more than a decade after leaving magnificent Aberglasslyn House, Mrs Maule has returned to Maitland to style homes in historic Regent Street.
“In a town like Maitland, heritage is its charm and we need to do all we can to protect that,” she said.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 9, 2014.

First World War galleries at the Australian War Memorial

Australia in the Great War is the Memorial’s new permanent exhibition on display in the First World War Galleries from 1 December 2014.
The exhibition presents the story of Australia in the First World War chronologically, covering all major theatres of operations: Gallipoli; the Western Front; Sinai and Palestine; and the war at sea. The events taking place on the home front and the immediate and enduring legacy of the war are also included.
The Memorial holds one of the world’s great collections of material related to the First World War. The First World War Galleries integrate a wide variety of items from this collection, including dioramas and other works of art; uniforms; medals; technology such as artillery and firearms; photographs; film; and personal items such as letters and diaries.

Commonwealth War Graves: Restoration Of Australian Headstones

The unique ‘Scrolling Stones’ headstones conceptualised by Australian forces admitted as patients at No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park, Middlesex, England during the First World War are to be restored in time for Anzac Day in April. Harefield (St Mary) Churchyard is recognised as one of the primary places of remembrance for Australians in the UK. The work that is being undertaken at the site involves lead lettering being inserted into the marble scrolls and new engravings
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Society of Australian Genealogists December events

Tuesday 9 December (1.30pm - 3.30pm) - Take Your Family Back to the Auld Country
Join Susan Cooke of the Scottish Australian Heritage Council who will examine the link between Australian birth, death and marriage certificates and your Scottish heritage. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members). 

Saturday 13 December (10.30am - 12.30pm) - Sydney Cemeteries
In this session, Martyn Killion looks at Sydney’s major cemeteries and their records, with particular emphasis on what you can find online. Bookings essential. $20 ($30 non-members).

Wednesday 17 December (8.00pm - 9.00pm AEST) - Webinar - Britain's Colonial Wars
Britain's period of colonial expansion in the 19th century was characterised by military adventurism abroad and rapid industrial development at home, spreading its culture, institutions and ideas across the globe. To provide background to your family's British migratory experience, military history enthusiast Peter Lloyd will provide an overview of the conflicts that occurred during this period of expansion. Bookings essential and limited to SAG members only. Price $10.00.

 

Society of Australian Genealogists website.

Bolwarra heritage painting specialists win award

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A customer service award has capped a rewarding year for father and son Graham and Craig Hill.|The Bolwarra business G&RA Hill Painting, which specialises in heritage work, was nominated in the Australian Business Quality Awards and notified of the win last month.
The judges were impressed with the quality of their work at Anambah House.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 1, 2014.