Fighters, Feminists and Philanthropists: Celebrating 100 Years of IWD

The first march for International Women’s Day took place in New York in 1911. Australia’s first march occurred in 1928 but women had been demanding change a long time and across the world before then. Presented by the History Council of NSW and Macquarie University, this symposium will celebrate the many different activists and forms of activism that led to dramatic changes in Australian women’s lives over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Panellists include Jill Roe, Marian Sawer, Diane Kirkby, Carole Adams, Barbara Caine, Ann Curthoys and Lyndall Ryan.
When: Tuesday 8 March 2011, 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Where: Dixon Room, State Library of NSW
Cost: Free
RSVP: Friday 4 March 2011 on 02 9252 8715 or admin@historycouncilnsw.org.au

National Trust Magazine, February - April 2011

Trust action: Historic Hunter Valley homesteads could be removed from the State Heritage Register. The National Trust and its Hunter Regional Branch are preparing a joint submission seeking the long term protection of the 1830s Wambo Homestead Complex at Warkworth, near Singleton, which is set to be the first of many such homesteads in the region being assessed by the Heritage Council for de-listing from the  State Heritage Register. The Wambo Coal company claims that much of the complex is in ruins, but its plan to move the property from its mine site so that it could be preserved was never approved. The National Trust and local community fear that the de-listing of the complex will present a real threat of demolition.

Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles newsletter

The January/February issue of AMCAT's newsletter, Vital Thread, includes:
Current display: Summer Fun. Our first display for 2011features summer fun activities enjoyed by people from the late 1800’s to the present day. It is quite fascinating to observe the change in fashion which reflects the social outlook of each era.

Venue: Lt. Governors’ Residence, John Street,
East Maitland (Maitland Gaol Precinct)
Admission: $3.00, Concession: $2.50
Open: Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 10.00am to 3.00pm,
Contact: Justine phone 49 886448

Party for 200th birthday rejected

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A suggestion for a working party to plan the bicentenary of the European settlement of Maitland has been rejected. Cr Philip Penfold’s motion to start preparations for the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the white settlers who laid the foundation for the modern city was described as premature at last night’s Maitland City Council meeting.

Full article availsble at Maitland Mercury, 23 Feb, 2011.

Public invited to visit historic Closebourne House

From the Maitland Mercury report:
For more than 180 years it has stood as a silent observer of the decline of Morpeth’s bustling river port and transformation to a tourist mecca. Now, historic Closebourne House, built by EC Close as his home in 1829, will shake off its detachment and throw open its doors to visitors. Lend Lease’s transformation of the former St John’s College site at Morpeth into a retirement and residential village will be revealed at a family fun day on March 5, where people will be able to walk through the heritage-listed Closebourne House.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 22 Feb, 2011.

Bicentenary plans should begin now

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A call to arms to plan for the city’s bicentenary of European settlement will be made at the Maitland City Council meeting tomorrow.
Cr Philip Penfold will act on his vision for a celebration to rival 1988 with a notice of motion to form a working party to begin preparations for the bicentennial year.

Full article by Briony Snedden available at Maitland Mercury, 21 Feb, 2011.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is now working in association with The War Graves Photographic Project (TWGPP) to supply photographs, either emailed or hard copies, of gravestones or memorials to those that request them. The TWGPP is a volunteer based organisation who are digitally recording every war grave around the world. If you would like to use the service or volunteer your help please visit the site.