Victoria Cross: Australia's finest and the battles they fought

The Australian War Memorial’s upgraded Hall of Valour, re-opening soon, contains the national collection of Victoria Crosses. To mark the occasion the latest 2010 edition of Anthony Staunton's popular book, Victoria Cross: Australia's finest and the battles they fought, is now available and exclusive to the Memorial.

This latest edition features over 100 rarely seen photographs and includes Victoria Cross for Australia recipient Trooper Mark Donaldson VC.

China’s entombed warriors – Art Gallery of NSW

The First Emperor: China’s entombed warriors brings to Australia over 120 rare objects, featuring ten complete terracotta warrior figures including foot soldiers, generals, kneeling bowmen and horses. The First Emperor: China’s entombed warriors reveals the fascinating story of a key figure in world history, who unified China, leaving a legacy that has lasted over 2000 years.
When: 2 Dec 2010 – 13 Mar 2011
Where: Art Gallery of NSW,1 Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
More Information  http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/first-emperor/

Miss Porter's house, Newcastle - Christmas at the Porters

A National Trust special exhibition of Christmas memorabilia owned by the Porter family. Enjoy decorations, postcards from various times in the lives of the Porters and an historic Christmas dinner table setting.
Sunday 12th December, 1-4 pm, Miss Porter's house, 434 King Street, Newcastle. Enquiries: Roland Bannister, 49270202.

Wall locked away: Maitland Gaol

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A Hunter-only heritage grant could help open a section of Maitland Gaol that is currently off-limits to visitors.

The second storey of the workshops building houses a series of murals drawn by inmates of the former maximum security prison.
But guidelines dictate a second staircase is required to allow visitors in. Maitland Gaol administration coordinator Gordon Sauber said a $400,000 program of works identified for the dollar-for-dollar grant also included other facilities.

Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 30 Nov, 2010.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Annual Report 2009-2010

Annual Report 2009-2010
2009-2010 witnessed a number of very significant events for the Commission. The latest annual report, published on 11 November, highlights the great variety of projects over the past year, including the successful opening of the Commission’s first new cemetery in 50 years, at Fromelles in northern France.
The annual report is available at the Commission's web site.

St Paul’s Anglican Church celebrates 165 years

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A total of 165 years of worship for St Paul’s Anglican Church at Paterson was commemorated at a special ceremony in the town on the weekend.
The Anglican parish of Gresford/Paterson was consecrated there on November 27, 1845, by the first and only Bishop of Australia, the Right Reverend William Broughton.

Full article by Alan Hardie available at Maitland Mercury, 29 Nov, 2010.

Signs to tell story of Walka

From the Maitland Mercury report:
New interpretative signs are proposed to be in place at Walka Water Works in time for next year’s Hunter Valley Steamfest.
Maitland City Council committed $20,000 to the first stage of a signs and interpretative strategy to heighten the experience for visitors to the historic site.

Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 26 Nov, 2010.