Saturday, December 19, 2015

Veteran Maitland Mercury photographer Cath Bowen calls time after 30 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Cath Bowen has taken her final photograph for the Maitland Mercury after more than three decades behind the lens.
The award-winning journalist finished up on Thursday with ­colleagues, civic leaders and community members paying tribute to the long-term employee.
“Cath will always be a foundation of the Mercury family,” Mercury advertising manager Sue Prescott said.
“Her contribution to recording Maitland’s history is like a time capsule that will never be forgotten.”

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 17, 2015. 

History : Magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society - December 2015

Inside this month:
  • Cultural diversities among female convicts transported to Australia
  • Critically reviewing the critical review
  • The first Australian murder mystery novel
  • Fraud: a tale of the bush
  • Teresa Taylor - pickpocket and property tycoon

Royal Australian Historical Society

200 Treasures of the Australian Museum, the Westpac Long Gallery, Australian Museum

The Australian Museum is embarking on an ambitious journey to restore Australia’s first museum gallery, the iconic Long Gallery. The project is jointly funded by Westpac, the NSW Government and donors, and will see it re-open as the Westpac Long Gallery in 2017, celebrating the AM’s 190th and Westpac’s 200th anniversaries.

Featuring 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum, the Westpac Long Gallery will showcase invaluable treasures from our world-class collection, telling the stories of the region and the nation. The First Bank Note and the Maitland Bar Gold Nugget will be on display until 20 December 2015.

Popular Branxton principal Mark Ouvrier farewells the schoolyard after 50 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:
When Mark Ouvrier embarked on his first day of school he was five years old. Next week, when the final school bell for the year rings, he will leave the playground for the last time. More than half a century later.
Mr Ouvrier has served as a principal in at least six schools for 30 of his 39 teaching years.
The last 15 were at Branxton Public School.
He will retire at the same time as his wife Maria, who has worked as a teacher’s aid at Branxton Public School for 15 years.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 15, 2015.

Friends of Maitland Library celebrate 20th anniversary with a calendar of drawings of historic places

From the Maitland Mercury report:
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the Friends of Maitland Library have produced a calendar with drawings of historic places in the city, the work of former Maitland Mercury chief photo­grapher David Oberdorf.
The 2016 calendar sells for $10 and all proceeds go to support library ­services in Maitland.
Scenes illustrated include St Joseph’s Catholic Church in East Maitland, the Imperial and Grand Junction Hotels in Maitland, Morpeth Bridge, Maitland Town Hall, the Walka Water Works at Oakhampton and St Peter’s Church in East Maitland.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 13, 2015.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Walka Water Scheme recognised by Engineers Australia

From the Newcastle Herald report:
The scheme that gave Newcastle its first running water supply will be recognised for its national engineering significance on Monday.
In 1885 the Walka Water Scheme gave Newcastle running water for the first time.
Drawn from the Hunter River near Maitland, the system brought water enclosed in pipes and stored in roofed reservoirs all the way through the system.
It was Australia’s first filtered water source, and provided protection from disease-causing pollution that according to Local heritage engineering expert Bill Jordan even some modern Australian schemes can’t achieve.

Full article available at Newcastle Herald, Dec. 7, 2015.

Louth Park boys release a book of rugby league historical recollections

From the Maitland Mercury report:
What do South Sydney, Maitland and South End have in common? Louth Park boy Fairleigh and Doherty tell all in their latest book.
It is this connection as mates, fondness for Maitland and love of rugby league which has seen them combine forces for their fifth historical book.
Pride, Passion and the Glory: Three Clubs and One Tradition takes a closer look at the relationship between the South Sydney, Maitland and South End clubs.
They focus on five main players – internationals John “Whacka” Graves and Jim Morgan as well as Frank Threlfo, Les Drew and the recently departed Merv Wright.
But this latest offering wouldn’t have happened without their last about the Maitland Police Boys Club.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 10, 2015.

Maitland City Council releases city lifestyle magazine to benefit visitors

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland City Council has launched a new annual publication to showcase the array of things for visitors and residents to see and do across the city.
Council unveiled Meander, its new once-a-year lifestyle magazine this week.
“We are proud to be launching such a comprehensive publication,” council’s city and visitor economy co-ordinator Martin Payne said.
“Meander is a fantastic resource full of ideas about the best ways to explore and enjoy all that our city has to offer.”

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 10, 2015.

Two Hunter Tiger Moths celebrate 75 years of flight

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Two historic Tiger Moth biplanes that fly Maitland tourists on adventure trips over the vineyards have made history, celebrating their 75th year in operation.
Silver and blue, the two planes made their first flights in December 1940.
But between then and now, the two stately ladies have each been through some trauma.
Both were put through exacting flights during World War II, when they were used to train pilots.
After the war, with dozens of unwanted biplanes being sold off the public, these two also found ­private buyers.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 7, 2015.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Trove's latest newspapers - New South Wales

Trove is pleased to announce that the following newspapers, digitised by the National Library through the Australian Newspaper Plan program, have been recently added to Digitised newspapers and more on Trove. Many of these newspapers are currently being added to Trove and further issues will become available shortly.

New South Wales
The Australian Workman (Sydney, NSW : 1890 - 1897)
The Bird O' Freedom (Sydney, NSW : 1891 - 1896)
The Dead Bird (Sydney, NSW : 1889 - 1891)
The Workers' Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1923 - 1939)

Steam train parts theft f5rom Richmond Vale Railway Museum

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Richmond Vale Railway Museum volunteers will have to raise a massive $150,000 to replace rare, stolen steam train parts being used to restore an historic engine scheduled to be unveiled at Maitland’s 30th Steamfest anniversary in April.
The restoration of the 1927 Avonside steam engine was going to be the jewel in the museum’s crown, with volunteers working quietly behind the scenes to get it ready for Steamfest and the June long weekend Coalfields Steam Festival.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Dec. 1, 2015.

Sydney Living Museums' annual Christmas Fare

For one-evening only shop at 40+ stalls featuring a hand-picked selection of Sydney’s finest artisan producers, makers and small-scale retailers. From create-your-own gourmet food hampers, to premium hand-made produce and artisan wares, we have everything you need for your Christmas table.

More information at Sydney Living Museums.

CWA turns Maitland Gaol's mulberries into Gaol Jam

From the Maitland Mercury report:
If you want something very Maitland to have with your scones or morning toast, East Maitland CWA has you ­covered.
The ladies have taken about 30kg of fruit from a mulberry tree that has stood in the middle of the Maitland Gaol grounds for the past 50 years and created their own brand of jam.
About 134 jars of Gaol Jam have been produced as part of the first batch and the CWA ladies have sold about 30 so far.
“Gaol Jam makes use of this significant tree’s produce again, and we hope it is also a fun and very tasty way to engage the community in part of the facility’s history.”

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Nov. 30, 2015.

Maitland stalwart Milton Morris retires from Hunter Valley Training Company

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The man affectionately known as Mr Maitland has taken a step back from the company he built that has helped more than 20,000 young people find their place in the workforce.
Milton Morris, the founding chairman and director of Hunter Valley Training Company, announced this week that he had stood down from his role as director after 34 years as a key decision maker at the firm.
The former Member for Maitland, now 91, told the Mercury that he felt the time was right to take a step back.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Nov. 26, 2015.