Sydney Open

On Sunday 6 November, Sydney Open invites you in to some of the city’s most architecturally inspiring and historic buildings.

One ticket gives you access to over 50 buildings and intriguing spaces across the CBD, Barangaroo, Walsh Bay and The Rocks. Explore the full list below.
Extend your Sydney Open experience by booking a Focus Tour on Saturday 5 November, upgrading to our VIP offer or becoming a Sydney Living Museums Member.

More information: http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/buildings-tickets

Find A Grave weekend

Find A Grave are having their 3rd Annual worldwide “Community Meetup” on the weekend of Friday 7 October, to Sunday 9 October.

With groups already registered in many countries around the world (including several states in Australia), it’s exciting to see that details of more headstones are going to be photographed and transcribed and therefore preserved.

Do your part for history. Help preserve your local cemetery.

Attend this special event or plan one of your own. Visit a cemetery in need to take photographs and videos of headstones, explore the grounds, and share stories and discoveries with others who want to make a difference. With your thoughtful contributions, history will never be forgotten.

More information: http://www.ancestry.com/cs/find-a-grave-community-day

Maitland bicentenary rescission motion is carried

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Cr Loretta Baker had called on councillors to support her in a rescission motion which recommended that council does not officially take part in commemorations in 2018 for fear it would cause stress to the local Aboriginal community.
Her aim was to quash a motion by Cr Philip Penfold passed two weeks ago which called on council to acknowledge that the bicentenary of European settlement of Maitland marks a significant occasion in the evolution of the city. The motion also said that council take the leading role in commemorating the bicentenary and formally notify Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council of the decision. Cr Penfold’s motion was carried six votes to seven.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 27 Sep 2016.

Central Maitland cathedral precinct

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Central Maitland’s new cathedral precinct is expected to be officially unveiled in early November, to mark the 150^th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The $5 million project has involved the renovation of St John’s church and major landscaping work on the surrounding grounds.
Vice Chancellor of Administration Sean Scanlon said St John’s was significant because it was the diocese’s original church.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 28 Sep 2016.

Maitland council to debate controversial bicentenary celebration

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A Maitland City Council decision to celebrate the city’s bicentenary, despite strong objections from council officers and some civic leaders, could be overturned at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
Councillors Loretta Baker, Bob Geoghegan and Ben Whiting have lodged a rescission motion to quash Cr Philip Penfold’s plan to celebrate the bicentenary in 2018.
Cr Penfold’s motion was passed by one vote at the September 13 council meeting where the issue was debated at length with councillors Baker and Penfold

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 26 Sep 2016.

An Introduction to Trove’s Digitised Australian Newspapers at Maitland Genealogical Society

Maitland & District Genealogical Society, The Barracks, 17 Lindesay Street, East Maitland (next to Maitland Gaol).  Presented by Louise Gale.

Thursday 29 September 2016, 10:00 – 11:30am
Saturday 8 October 2016, 1:00pm – 2:30pm (repeated)

Cost:  Free to members of MDGS ; $5 for Non-members (refundable if you join the Society)

The digitised newspapers on the National Library of Australia’s website www.trove.nla.gov.au are indeed a treasure trove for family and local history researchers.  By searching for information about people or places, you can discover the stories that help flesh out the lives of your family.

 

More information at Maitland and District Genealogical Society.

Maitland Mutual Building Society buys new head office site next to Stockland Green Hills

From the Maitland Mercury report:
After three decades in Central Maitland, the Maitland Mutual Building Society – also known as The Mutual – will move its head office to East Maitland.
General manager Geoffrey Seccombe said the organisation had bought land next to the expanding Stockland Green Hills shopping centre, and would open its new head office at the site in 2019.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 23 Sep 2016.

"Throwback Thursday" - Hunter parades from the archives

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Take a look back at the parades and street marches of the 1960s, from the Fairfax archives.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 22 Sep 2016.

Anarchists Guide to House Museums – a keynote address by Franklin Vagnone

Anarchists Guide to House Museums – a keynote address by Franklin Vagnone
For one night only join “domestic-archeo-anthropologist”, co-author of the award winning Anarchists Guide to Historic House Museums, Franklin Vagnone as he shares his research and experience in best (and worst) practice in innovation and engagement with historic cultural sites.
With 25 years of experience leading non-profit management, financial oversight, fundraising, strategic planning, board relationships, award-winning cultural program and creative place-making development this talk will be of interest to anyone working in heritage, arts, culture and place making.
This event is presented by Sydney Living Museums, Museums and Galleries of NSW and the Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences, and is supported by the City of Parramatta.

When: Tuesday 11 October 2016, 6pm
Where: Warrane Theatre, Museum of Sydney
Cost: $22 full / $19 concession / $17 member
Registrations: franklinvagnone.eventbrite.com

Gardner Soldier Memorial at Newcastle Commemorates 100 years

The Soldier memorial of WWI commemorates 100 years on the 16th September 1916.It is believed to be Australia’s first memorial of the Great War that incorporated a soldier-statue. The memorial was a gift of Commander Frank Gardner V.D. to the soldiers of Newcastle, who will never return. He presented the memorial monument and statue which stands at the front of the former Newcastle Post Office.

Full article available at Hunter Living Histories - Coal River Working Party.

Morpeth is vying for a place on the State Heritage Register

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Morpeth is vying for a place on the State Heritage Register to preserve its historic fabric indefinitely.

 

The town’s Morpeth Heritage Conservation Group launched the application with the NSW Department of Planning on Wednesday.
It argues the Morpeth Heritage Conservation Area, which surrounds the town, meets all of the criteria used to determine whether something is of state significance.
It says the street layout hasn’t dramatically changed since 1845, which has made the Morpeth of today vastly different from other long-established towns like East Maitland.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 21 Sep 2016.

Maitland councillors divided over bicentenary celebration

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland councillor Loretta Baker to lodge rescission motion after feisty bicentenary debate with councillor Philip Penfold.
Maitland councillors remain divided over a controversial and at times spiteful debate this week on whether or not to celebrate the city’s bicentenary.
Council officers recommended that council does not officially take part in commemorations in 2018 for fear it would cause stress to the local Aboriginal community.
Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 15 Sep 2016.

History Council of NSW Annual History Citation 2016

Each year the History Council of NSW awards the Annual History Citation to an eminent historian to honour a lifetime of service to history. The Citation recognises individuals for outstanding research and scholarship, and acknowledges their broader contribution through teaching, leadership, mentoring and community involvement.

The History Council of NSW is pleased to award the Annual History Citation for 2016 to Associate Professor Carol Liston, in recognition of her contributions to researching and teaching history and heritage, and her service to community and local history organisations.

Trove newspapers recently added New South Wales titles

National Library of Australia - Trove Newspapers - New South Wales additions:
The Sun: Sunday Edition (Sydney, NSW: 1910)
The Teetotaller and General Newspaper (Sydney, NSW: 1842-1843)
The Temperance Advocate and Australasian Commercial and Agricultural Intelligencer (Sydney, NSW: 1840-1841)
The True Sun and New South Wales Independent Press (Sydney, NSW: 1844)
The Voice of Jacob. or, the Hebrews’ Monthly Miscellany (Sydney, NSW: 1842)
The Weekly Register of Politics, Facts and General Literature (Sydney, NSW: 1843-1845)

Maitland community groups to lead city's bicentenary of European settlement

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland Council may not lead commemorations to mark the city’s bicentenary of European settlement, after consultation with Aboriginal community representatives.
Plans to commemorate the anniversary will be left to community groups, if councillors adopt a staff recommendation to be tabled on Tuesday.
In her report to councillors, Marketing and Communications manager Rachel MacLucas has recommended that council doesn’t officially take part in commemorations in 2018.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 12 Sep 2016.

Ghost tour of Grossmann House

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Within the creaking, ancient frames of Maitland’s historic homes and buildings, paranormal investigator Renata Daniel sees spirits.
Ms Daniel, who has worked as a psychic and ghost tour operator for decades, will take willing participants on a trip through the tangled history of the iconic Grossmann House later this month.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 8 Sep 2016.

Maitland's historic Family Hotel

From the Maitland Mercury report:
There are several mysteries the new management of Maitland’s historic Family Hotel are trying to unravel.
The 156-year-old pub is believed to have a resident ghost, was supposed to be the scene of a murder, has a hidden attic still furnished with original furniture and a ballroom with a sprung dance floor.
General Manager Neil Hedges is trying to find answers and has put out a call to Hunter folk in a bid to learn more about the landmark establishment.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 5 Sep 2016.

Hunter sport in the 1960s

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Photo Gallery - Take a look at the local sport stars from the Hunter region in the 1960s, straight from the Fairfax archives.
The rules might not have changed, but the uniforms definitely have.                

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 1 Sep 2016.                

Inside History Magazine : Winter 2016

In issue 35, the Winter (Jul-Sep) edition of Australia’s favourite history and genealogy magazine, Inside History, you’ll discover:

• Expert photo-dating tips to trace your family
• Colonial Australia as captured by the underrated artist ST Gill
• 130+ new family history resources online
• How to write your ancestor’s life story
• The Anzac pilgrimage: practical tips + military history insights for visiting the Western Front battlefields 100 years on
• What a rare diary hidden for 150 years reveals about Melbourne’s high society – and the city’s surprise link to the American Civil War
• Australia’s war in the Pacific, in the skies and on the seas: untold chapters of our World War II history
• An iconic World War I film and its mysterious real-life rescuers whose identity still puzzles historians
• The groundbreaking 1600s map of Australia being restored
• Stories of AIF men and women among the UK’s Imperial War Museums records

History Week 2016 - Newcastle Region Library

Supporting your Community
In this History Week talk, the Newcastle Region Library will delve into the careers of some of the Mayors and councillors of Newcastle’s suburban councils. Presented by Local History Coordinator, Sue Ryan.
When: Monday 5 September 2016, 10:00-11:00am
Where: Wallsend District Library, 30 Bunn Street, Wallsend NSW 2287
Cost: Free
Contact: coreilly@ncc.nsw.gov.au or 02 4974 5330
Find out more
Presented by Newcastle Region Library.