Full steam ahead at Richmond Vale

From the Maitland Mercury report:
She's the only one of her kind still going and she'll be ferrying model train and vintage truck enthusiasts on joy rides at Richmond Vale Railway Museum next weekend.
The museum is holding its annual model exhibition in conjunction with the biennial Hunter Valley Vintage Truck muster and, as an added attraction; two trains will be offering free rides to visitors.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 07 May, 2011.

Australian War Memorial: rare memorial footage now online

Rare footage of Australian soldiers at the 1916 battle of Pozières is now part of an online exhibition of First World War films on the National Film and Sound Archive’s australianscreen online , published in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial. ‘This footage represents the first serious attempt to make an Australian war documentary. It changed warfare forever’, says Paul Byrnes, Senior Curator, australianscreen online.

Society of Australian Genealogists events

SAG events for May 2011 include:
Saturday 21 May (9.00am) orientation tour - Members only. A one hour orientation tour of our library at 379 Kent Street - find out how the library is set out and what services we offer there. Bookings Essential.
Thursday 26 May (10.30am - 12.30pm) Getting Started on Your Family History This opportunity is especially for new members with no family history research experience. Learn the fundamentals to start you on the road, and where to find and ask for help. Members Only.
Saturday 28 May (10.00am - 4.00pm) Schools, Teachers & Pupils Day. How to find records relating to schools, teachers and pupils through to the 20th century. Learning about an ancestor’s education or the perceived lack of it, need not be just about finding a pupil’s name on a school roll, join us to learn why.
Full list of events at SAG website.

Cross purposes: move to sell historic church at Bolwarra

From the Maitland Mercury report:
One of Maitland’s oldest church halls is about to be deconsecrated and sold.
On May 14, St Augustine’s Hall, Bolwarra, will be deconsecrated with plans to sell the hall to establish another building in a growing area.
It will mark the end of an era and herald the start of a new chapter for the Anglican Parish of Maitland.

Full article by Emma Swain available at Maitland Mercury, 03 May, 2011.

Unlock the Past New South Wales Expo 3-4 June 2011

New South Wales Expo 3-4 June 2011
The first of four Unlock the Past History and Genealogy Expos this year will be held in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
This is the major 2011 history, genealogy, heritage event for New South Wales and Southern Queensland. You will see numerous exhibitors in one place, hear expert presenters from four states with great opportunities for chatting and discussions with 100s of other family & local historians. You will pick up any tips and tricks, and perhaps even break down that brick wall you have in your research.

Museums and Galleries 2011 IMAGinE Awards

In partnership with Museums Australia (NSW), Museums Australia (ACT) and Regional Public Galleries Association of NSW, M&G NSW are pleased to announce the 2011 IMAGinE Awards . The Awards cover exhibitions, programs and projects that primarily occurred in the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011.
The IMAGinE Awards celebrate the achievements and extraordinary diversity of the NSW and ACT museum and gallery sector and those who work within it, both paid and volunteer.

The 2011 IMAGinE Awards night will be held in the Australian Museum on Friday 30 September 2011.
More information at the Museums and Galleries website.

The Maitland Collection - Art by Holly McNamee

Friends of Grossman House - The Maitland Collection is part of a series of artworks by Maitland artist, Holly McNamee, who draws on her relationship with many of the unique buildings of historic Maitland. The artist has been working on this collection of drawings and paintings for the past 2 years, as an enduring and growing register of her appreciation of the Maitland of both her past and present and the stories the places hold.
Date and Times: 10am - 3pm, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-27 May 2011.
Location: Grossman House, Brough House, Church Street, Maitland, NSW.
Telephone: 02 4934 4314 or 02 4933 6452