Maitland, the past 30 years: photos

During the past three decades Maitland Mercury pictorial editor Cath Bowen has captured the human condition of our city.

From the pope to politicians, bushfires to bomb scares and strugglers to survivors, Bowen has spent her days photographing the world in which we live.

In celebration of her 30th anniversary with the Mercury, Bowen has unearthed a collection of pictures taken during that time.

"This is a small collection of photographs I had at the bottom of my wardrobe and I've dusted them off for you to enjoy," Bowen said.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, July 31, 2014.

Maitland master plan: Memory lane

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Celebrating Maitland’s history could be a simple stroll down memory lane.

Maitland City Council has proposed setting up heritage walks around the city as part of its Interpretation Master Plan designed to renew interest in the heart of Maitland.

Pavement markers on the ground would guide walkers around the city and highlight historical sites.

The markers would be split into four key themes including the river speaks, heroes and villains, poverty and prosperity and architecture.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, July 30, 2014.

Maitland master plan to include small markers

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Small markers could be scattered across Maitland to encourage people to engage in the city’s history.

Possible micro installations were part of Maitland City Council’s Interpretation Master Plan, which seeks to create new attractions to re-ignite interest in central Maitland.

The installations could be small passages of text, images or clues to the location of another marker.

They could also engage people on a technical level using QR codes to link people to relevant websites or social media pages when scanned with a smart phone.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, July 29, 2014.

Maitland pillars that talk

From the Maitland Mercury report:

They might look like simple wooden pillars from a distance but up close they will give people a different view of Maitland’s history.

Maitland City Council has proposed installing vertical posts at various places around the city that will provide an audio-visual immersion in the region’s history.

The idea is part of council’s Interpretation Master Plan, which is a collection of bold new ways to reinvigorate central Maitland, with a focus on heritage.

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, July 28, 2014.

The Levee to brighten up with bullock team in Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:

Three bullock statues could be put into The Levee precinct to represent the early days of European settlement in the city, according to council’s heritage officer Clare James.

“High Street began as a meandering track for bullock teams and formed the spine of the early settlements,” she said.

“Bullock teams dominated the street until the Great Northern Railway reached Singleton in 1863. 

“The street was smelly, dirty and dusty.  A sculpture around the concept proposed captures this history in a ­literal way and is intended to be an iconic statement.” 

 

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, July 27, 2014.

Remembering Governor Arthur Phillip

On 31 August 2014 we celebrate the Bicentenary of the death of Arthur Phillip. Sydney Living Museums is commemorating the life of the first governor of New South Wales with a program of events at the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House. The program includes the dedication of the Captain Arthur Phillip RN Memorial, a symposium dedicated to exploring his life and legacy, and a series of daily tours. For more information on the full range of activities and commemorative events see the website, Governor Arthur Phillip.

 

History Week 2014 Program Launched

History Week 6 – 14 September 2014 – The Great War
It was to be “the war that will end war” as H.G. Wells commented in August 1914. From the heights of hope to the horror of the trenches, the Great War changed the world irrevocably. It separated families and lovers, turned young men into soldiers and young women into nurses, converted friends and neighbours into enemies. The unusual circumstances of warfare intervened with each aspect of life. In which ways did the conduct of war shape, change and inform those fighting and those remaining on the home front? How have historians approached complex topics surrounding it, such as the scale of violence, women’s involvement in war, forced migration? What impact did the Great War have on the cultural memory of those involved – allies and enemies? In the aftermath of 1915 Australians elevated the Gallipoli landing into a foundation story, which claims that the nation was born on this battlefield, but there are more layers of remembrance yet to be uncovered and examined. History Week 2014 will explore the impact of World War One abroad and at home.