Saturday, August 26, 2017

Traces magazine - for anyone interested in Australian history

Traces magazine is for anyone interested in this country’s history, from ancient Indigenous heritage to European settlement, local history, artefacts and family genealogy.

Due to be launched in December 2017, Traces is the only quarterly printed magazine dedicated to providing its readers with insight into the latest historical research, news, events and heritage projects taking place around Australia. The expert voices of historians, researchers, heritage professionals, genealogists and journalists uncover the fascinating characters and stories of our past.

With the partnership and collaboration of key national and local heritage organisations, as well as state libraries, Traces has its finger on the pulse of heritage news and developments around the country, making it the best consumer publication for anyone passionate about Australian history.

Website http://tracesmagazine.com.au/

Lavenders Riverside Cafe Camphor Laurel tree to be chopped down

From the Maitland Merc
The owner of a well-known CBD cafe has grave fears for the future of her business after an iconic tree on site has been approved for removal.
The Camphor Laurel tree at Lavenders Riverside Cafe is set to come down, taking with it shade protection and much of the cafe’s ambience.
Maitland Council approved the removal after an assessment was made by tree service company Assurance Treesury report.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Aug 2017.

Home in Church Street heritage precinct will be demolished for housing units

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Local heritage conservationist Chris Richards said a decision to demolish an old Maitland home to make way for four units has broken a long-standing precedent for council.
Maitland councillors voted last night to demolish No. 83 Church Street, Maitland, a move Mr Richards said will have developers rubbing their hands in glee.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 23 Aug 2017.

Reunion for Maitland Girls High Students who completed HSC in 1967

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A special reunion has been organised over the weekend of September 9 and 10 for Maitland Girls High students who commenced their secondary education in 1962.
The students started high school under the Wyndham Scheme in 1962 and took part in the first HSC (Higher School Certificate) in 1967. All girls are invited regardless of sitting the HSC or not.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 22 Aug 2017.

Maitland Council to vote on whether to demolish house in Church Street heritage precinct

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland City Council will vote on Tuesday night on whether to demolish a property that could “open the floodgates” on the protection of heritage buildings.
The house in one of Maitland’s oldest sections at 83 Church Street has been recommended for demolition. If approved, heritage conservationist Chris Richards says it will break a long-standing precedent for council.
“In the past when buildings in Maitland’s heritage zones have been recommended for demolition, it has invariably been on a run down property that has been substantially modified over the years, but this time it’s different,” Mr Richards said. “This property is original, in good restorable order and in a conservation zone.”

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 21 Aug 2017.

Chance for public to ride historic 1923 train Tin Hare

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Kurri Kurri Public School, alongside The Rail Motor Society of Paterson, are offering members of the public a chance to ride a 1923 passenger train from Maitland to Cessnock on Saturday, September 16.
The train has been nicknamed the ‘Tin Hare’ and is one of 10 CPH railmotors still running in NSW. The train’s first journey can be tracked back to 1923.
“The idea behind the day is to bring back some wonderful memories for the residents of Maitland, Kurri and Cessnock who all have fond memories of riding on the rail motors back in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s,” Kurri Kurri Public School spokesperson Davina Dawes said.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 20 Aug 2017.

Saturday, August 19, 2017

68 years since the first migrant ship berthed in Newcastle

From the Maitland Mercury report:
This story was originally published in 2016 for the 67th anniversary of the MV Fairsea’s arrival.It has been republished to coincide with Saturday August 19 2017 marking the 68th anniversary. 
It may be 67 years on but Vitaly (Victor) Lupish, remembers disembarking the MV Fairsea at Newcastle’s Lee Wharf as if it was yesterday.
Aged 14, with no English and eyes as big as saucers, Mr Lupish set foot on Australian soil to begin a journey that would shape the rest of his life.
Friday marks the 67th anniversary of the arrival of the Fairsea which carried 1896 refugees from Europe to Australia. It was the first migrant ship to Newcastle.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 18 Aug 2017.

Maitland Basketball Association celebrates 60 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland Basketball Association is about to celebrate a major milestone marking 60 years since its formation.
The association has a proud history starting in 1957 in James Street, Maitland behind the current site of Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
From its humble beginnings the association has grown to become one of the premier basketball associations in country NSW and boasts players and club officials representing the city at State and national levels.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 15 Aug 2017.

Maitland council is calling for help to decide what museums in Maitland should look like

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Maitland City Council is seeking the help of locals to have their say on what type of museum experience they want to see developed within the area.
The initiative is part of the Open Museums, Open Minds project which is hoped to revitalise the area as well as the museum experience itself.
Interested participants can select from a variety of museum experiences including: interpretative walks, pop up museums or creative installations, open days for historic buildings, temporary displays, traditional museums or even a series of monuments that can be found at different locations across the city.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 11 Aug 2017.

National Family History Month

Family history and genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies around the world. There are over 250,000 Australians who are members of family history related organisations and the month has broad appeal across Australia. Libraries, archives and other organisations also participate in National Family History Month.

During August events will be conducted across Australia and online that focus on genealogy, family history, heraldry and related subjects. Check your state for details of local events and remember to check online events which you can do at home.
National Family History Month (NFHM) which is held in Australia every August,
an initiative of AFFHO (Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations).

Pop! Celebrate popular culture across the decades - Newcastle Region Library

Celebrate History Week with Newcastle Region Library. View some of their favourite pop culture items from the Heritage Collection and discover the stories behind the objects. Items will be available to view in the Local History Lounge from 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
When: Monday 4 September 2017 to Wednesday 6 September 2017, 1:00-4:00pm
Where: Local History Lounge, Newcastle Region Library, Laman Street, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Contact: library@ncc.nsw.gov.au or 02 4974 5330

Pop! goes the beach: Women’s Popular Culture on Newcastle’s Beaches

Pop! Goes the beach features in a session on Significant Women of the Hunter in History Illuminated, Lake Macquarie’s inaugural festival of history. The full program is available at library.lakemac.com.au
When: Monday 4 September 2017, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Toronto Library, Corner Brighton Avenue and Pemell Street, Toronto
Cost: Free, book now
Contact: lakelibraries@lakemac.nsw.gov.au or 02 4921 0463

History Week: Annual History Lecture 2017

The History Council of NSW is excited to announce one of its most popular events, the Annual History Lecture – ‘The Popular is Political: struggles over national culture in 1970s Australia’ – will be delivered by Associate Professor Michelle Arrow. The lecture will take place during our flagship festival, History Week, on Tuesday 5 September 2017. Join us for all things history & networking

When: 6pm-9pm, Tuesday 5 September 2017
Where: The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Tickets: $45 HCNSW members / $50 General admission (excl fees)
Contact: 02 9252 8715, admin@historycouncilnsw.org.au

Historic Arnott's Biscuits building for sale at Morpeth

From the Maitland Mercury report:
If only the walls of Morpeth's former Arnott's Biscuits building could talk they would tell a tale of a thriving river port turned internationally acclaimed tourist destination and a family business that became an Aussie food icon.
It is with a heavy heart that founder William Arnott’s great great great grand son, Stephen and wife Allison are selling the Swan Street flagship where the business started in 2003 and now sells their Morpeth Sourdough products.
After the sale of the property Morpeth Sourdough will continue to distribute their sourdough and muesli nationally.
The building will go to auction on Saturday, September 16 at 1.30pm in the Elgin Street, Maitland office of McGrath Estate Agents.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 9 Aug 2017.

Historic Lorn home Warrane sold

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A local family has snapped up historic Lorn property Warrane, in what could be the most expensive residential sale in Maitland’s history.
The Belmore Road home, believed to be about 130 years old, was purchased in June after nearly 18 months on the market.
Marketing agent Rhonda Nyquist of PRD nationwide said there was plenty to attract buyers to the Victorian-style home.
“It’s uniqueness – it’s a quality heritage home on two acres that’s retained a lot of its Victorian splendour,” she said.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 7 Aug 2017.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

After 30 years Morpeth Tea Pot and Tea Cosy exhibition draws to a close

From the Maitland Mercury report:
It started out in 1987 with a stunning array of 53 weird tea pots and will wind up later this month with more than 4000 of the vessels on show.
Morpeth Tea Pot and Tea Cosy exhibition will run for the last time from August 17 to 27, marking the end of an era in Maitland tourism.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 3 Aug 2017.

Ukulele group 'Ukastle Ukestra' at Grossmann House / Brough House

Friends of Grossmann House event:
For a fun afternoon at Brough House, local Ukulele group Ukastle Ukestra  will play a variety of music, ranging from pop, folk, world music and jazz. Their music is infectious so singing along and dancing are part of the fun. It is a family friendly afternoon, 2-5pm on Saturday August 19. People are encouraged to wear their most “out there” shirt. Homemade pizza will be served at half time. Cost $25/20 NT members.

Saturday 19 August, 2.00pm to 5.00pm
Brough House, 73 Church street, Maitland
Bookings essential

Helen 49344087, 0427 977 392
 
 

Trove Newspapers May-July 2017 Update

During the past three months Trove has added over 26 million new records to their collection. Of these over 5 million are articles from old newspapers, taking the current total of old newspapers records to a whopping 211,080,170! That’s right … over 211 MILLION records. All online, and all free for anyone to use.
Here’s the list the latest titles they’ve released over the past few months, as well as those that are coming soon.

See Genealogy & History News,  28 July 2017.

Maitland in 1960s

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The 1960s have been renowned for opening up the Hunter Region to the outside world.
Fashion changed from being very simple and traditional into something more relaxed. At the same time there were countless advancements in technology and the expansion of suburbs increased the need for faster and more reliable forms of transport.
Here is only a handful of archived photographs from the 1960s, giving a small snapshot of life.

Full report available at Maitland Mercury, 27 Jul 2017.

Historic St Paul's Rectory at Paterson up for auction

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A key part of Hunter Anglican Church history, the landmark building will go under the auctioneer’s hammer on site on Saturday, September 2.
Charlie Lund of McGrath Real Estate has listed the grand Edwardian property which has been tastefully renovated to honour its timeless beauty.
The rectory was built in 1906 after the former rectory was demolished.
Original cedar from the demolished residence was used in the current building most notably including the cedar skirting and French doors in the drawing room, dining room and master bedroom.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 31 Jul 2017.