Sydney Open

On Sunday 6 November, Sydney Open invites you in to some of the city’s most architecturally inspiring and historic buildings.

One ticket gives you access to over 50 buildings and intriguing spaces across the CBD, Barangaroo, Walsh Bay and The Rocks. Explore the full list below.
Extend your Sydney Open experience by booking a Focus Tour on Saturday 5 November, upgrading to our VIP offer or becoming a Sydney Living Museums Member.

More information: http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen/buildings-tickets

Find A Grave weekend

Find A Grave are having their 3rd Annual worldwide “Community Meetup” on the weekend of Friday 7 October, to Sunday 9 October.

With groups already registered in many countries around the world (including several states in Australia), it’s exciting to see that details of more headstones are going to be photographed and transcribed and therefore preserved.

Do your part for history. Help preserve your local cemetery.

Attend this special event or plan one of your own. Visit a cemetery in need to take photographs and videos of headstones, explore the grounds, and share stories and discoveries with others who want to make a difference. With your thoughtful contributions, history will never be forgotten.

More information: http://www.ancestry.com/cs/find-a-grave-community-day

Maitland bicentenary rescission motion is carried

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Cr Loretta Baker had called on councillors to support her in a rescission motion which recommended that council does not officially take part in commemorations in 2018 for fear it would cause stress to the local Aboriginal community.
Her aim was to quash a motion by Cr Philip Penfold passed two weeks ago which called on council to acknowledge that the bicentenary of European settlement of Maitland marks a significant occasion in the evolution of the city. The motion also said that council take the leading role in commemorating the bicentenary and formally notify Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council of the decision. Cr Penfold’s motion was carried six votes to seven.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 27 Sep 2016.

Central Maitland cathedral precinct

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Central Maitland’s new cathedral precinct is expected to be officially unveiled in early November, to mark the 150^th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
The $5 million project has involved the renovation of St John’s church and major landscaping work on the surrounding grounds.
Vice Chancellor of Administration Sean Scanlon said St John’s was significant because it was the diocese’s original church.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 28 Sep 2016.

Maitland council to debate controversial bicentenary celebration

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A Maitland City Council decision to celebrate the city’s bicentenary, despite strong objections from council officers and some civic leaders, could be overturned at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
Councillors Loretta Baker, Bob Geoghegan and Ben Whiting have lodged a rescission motion to quash Cr Philip Penfold’s plan to celebrate the bicentenary in 2018.
Cr Penfold’s motion was passed by one vote at the September 13 council meeting where the issue was debated at length with councillors Baker and Penfold

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 26 Sep 2016.

An Introduction to Trove’s Digitised Australian Newspapers at Maitland Genealogical Society

Maitland & District Genealogical Society, The Barracks, 17 Lindesay Street, East Maitland (next to Maitland Gaol).  Presented by Louise Gale.

Thursday 29 September 2016, 10:00 – 11:30am
Saturday 8 October 2016, 1:00pm – 2:30pm (repeated)

Cost:  Free to members of MDGS ; $5 for Non-members (refundable if you join the Society)

The digitised newspapers on the National Library of Australia’s website www.trove.nla.gov.au are indeed a treasure trove for family and local history researchers.  By searching for information about people or places, you can discover the stories that help flesh out the lives of your family.

 

More information at Maitland and District Genealogical Society.

Maitland Mutual Building Society buys new head office site next to Stockland Green Hills

From the Maitland Mercury report:
After three decades in Central Maitland, the Maitland Mutual Building Society – also known as The Mutual – will move its head office to East Maitland.
General manager Geoffrey Seccombe said the organisation had bought land next to the expanding Stockland Green Hills shopping centre, and would open its new head office at the site in 2019.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 23 Sep 2016.