Sunday, April 30, 2017

Look Who's Talking - Maitland Library - Greg Powell - Bushranger Tracks

Look Who's Talking Local Authors
Greg Powell
Bushranger Tracks
Where did the Ned Kelly Gang, Ben Hall, Captain Starlight and the Hunter's own bushrangers hang out? Based on decades of research, Bushranger Tracks, brings together bushranging history with information on current day historical sites, allowing the reader with a keen imagination to travel back to the wild days of early settlements when gold glittered, guns blazed, and men and women struggled.

Monday, 22nd May
6.00pm-7.30pm
East Maitland Library             More information

Museums and Galleries Australia National Conference 2017

Museums and Galleries Australia National Conference -  in their Cultural Landscapes
Join over 500 museum and gallery colleagues from around Australia and New Zealand for a packed program of progressive session, workshops and masterclasses. Make exicting new connections and partnerships. Take fresh and inspired insights directly back to your team, let us help you add value to the work you do.
The conference theme Museums and Galleries in their Cultural Landscapes will discuss cultural, social, digital, learning and operational landscapes through plenary and parallel sessions. Prior to the main conference, there will be a half-day program of workshops, masterclasses and tours of Queensland's leading cultural institutions. The conference will feature several social activities including a welcome event, conference dinner and a variety networking opportunities.
The Regional & Remote Community Museum and Gallery content will be integrated throughout the Conference program.

14 - 17 May 2017
MGA2017 will be held at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Anzac Day 2017 service at East Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Veterans, their families, friends, school students, community organisations and emergency services were among the huge parade that made its way down the New England Highway on Thursday morning.
Hundreds of people gathered around the East Maitland Cenotaph to pay their respects to all who served Australia in fields of conflict – from the Diggers of World War One through to the service men and women who make up the Australian Defence Force today.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Apr 2017.

Anzac Day in Morpeth 2017

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Mateship is front of mind for local rugby player Shaun Connelly in both his military and sporting life.
The Leading Aircraftsman with the RAAF laid a wreath at the Morpeth Anzac Day service on behalf of Maitland Rugby Club on Tuesday.
Mr Connelly, who is part of No. 35 Squadron at Richmond, has notched up almost 10 years in the Australian Defence Force.
His service included a deployment to the Middle East in 2013.
Mr Connelly said his time overseas and Anzac Day formed major parts of his military career.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Apr 2017.

ANZAC DAY 2017: Dawn service in Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Hundreds of people gathered at Maitland Park, as day broke on Tuesday, for the annual commemoration of the Anzac spirit.
In his Dawn Service address, RAAF Flight Lieutenant Andrew Harris said war was the “manifestation of the worst kind of mankind”.
But he said it also brought out some of humanity’s best attributes – courage, dedication, compassion and “a fierce determination to stand by one’s mates”.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 25 Apr 2017.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

List of Anzac Day services in Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Here is a list of Anzac Day services in the Maitland area planned for Tuesday, April 25

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 20 Apr 2017.

Webinars at State Archives and Records

State Archives and Records are pleased to announce our program of free webinars! Each webinar will focus on the wonderful resources of the State archives collection and how to access them.
You can register to attend a webinar live below. This will generate an email with a link that you click on at the appointed time to attend the webinar.

We will also be recording our webinars so if you are unable to attend live, you will be able to view the webinar at a time convenient to you simply by selecting the recorded webinar of your choice. We will be building a library of recorded webinars in the coming weeks. Joining and participating in a live webinar is easy.

One Hundred Stories - Australian military during World War I

100 Stories

This film curated by Professor Bruce Scates (Monash University) tells one hundred moving stories of those who served in the Australian military during World War I. We are encouraged to remember not just the men and women who lost their lives, but also those who returned to Australia irreparably damaged by war.
National Archives of Australia

18–30 April, screening on loop 9am–5pm daily | Canberra

National Archives of Australia
Queen Victoria Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600
 

Morpeth Gallery exhibit pays tribute to Australian Light Horse Brigade

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Morpeth Gallery will host a new exhibit this week that pays homage to the Australian Light Horse Brigade’s six kilometre charge at Beersheba a century ago.
World renowned equine artists Jennifer and Ron Marshall have contributed the work, which will be on show at the gallery between 10am and 5pm from April 20 until April 23.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 17 Apr 2017.

John Lane talks High Street Maitland with the Historical Society

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Prominent fixture of the Maitland business community John Lane will take local history buffs on a historic journey down High Street.
Mr Lane will be the guest speaker at the Historical Society’s next meeting – his subject will be ‘the changing face and place of High Street Maitland.
The street at the heart of the city has changed greatly over the decades.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 11 Apr 2017.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Plans for 28 apartments in Swan Street Morpeth

From the Maitland Mercury report:
GHT Holdings has proposed to transform the Griffins Motors site in Swan Street, which is part of the Morpeth heritage conservation area and is next to the historic Morpeth Post Office.
The unit block, called Morpeth Central Residences, borders William and Market streets and would have a contemporary design that features elements of other buildings in the township.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 10 Apr 2017.

Lionel Lindsay exhibit open at Maitland Regional Art Gallery

From the Maitland Mercury report:
More than 170 artworks by Lionel Lindsay went on display at Maitland Regional Art Gallery on Saturday.
Mr Lindsay was one of the finest Australian black and white graphic artists of the 20th century.
He was an artist who honed his skills in etching and wood engraving so finely that, by 1927, he was already one of the most internationally successful Australian printmakers of all time.

Full article available at: Maitland Mercury, 9 Apr 2017.

RAHS and Oral History NSW event

Friday 21st April @ 11am - 1pm History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney The RAHS and Oral History NSW (OHNSW) present ‘An Introduction to Oral History: Key Principles that Everyone Should Know’ at History House on Friday 21st April. This talk introduces historians of all kinds to the possibilities and pitfalls of ‘making memories’ or doing oral history interviews with people about their experiences of the past. Further information: http://www.rahs.org.au/event/rahsohnsw-introduction-oral-history/

Inside History Magazine discontinued

Dear Inside History friends and community,

It is with great sadness that I’m writing to let you know that I’ve decided the next issue of Inside History magazine will be our last. It’s been a difficult decision, one that I’ve made only after careful consideration.
It was a passion of mine to start a magazine that focused on Australian history, to offer a platform to people like yourselves who research and discover inspiring stories about our heritage, and share it with an audience who are just as passionate about our history.

So I have decided that, unless a patron or sponsor steps forward to make up the shortfall, I will have to close the title. It’s not been an easy decision, but the stress and cost of publishing the magazine over the past seven years has been enormous.

Further information: Genealogy and History News

Hunter Valley Steamfest 2017 success

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Massive crowds flocked to Maitland over the weekend for the country’s biggest celebration of mechanical heritage – Steamfest.
More than 50,000 people from across the region and beyond turned out for the 31st anniversary of the event.
Among the hundreds of immaculate muscle cars, clunking vintage machinery and old-world technology were the thundering steam-powered locomotives that give the event its name.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 9 Apr 2017.

Hunter Valley Steamfest 2017, look inside one of the trains

From the Maitland Mercury report:
Take a scenic trip north to the historic town of Paterson on the 3642 without leaving your home.
Fairfax Media photographer Marina Neil was lucky enough to jump on board the Paterson steam train on Saturday morning, filming the amazing experience for everyone to see.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 9 Apr 2017.

Friday, April 7, 2017

The 2017 Hunter Valley Steamfest

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The 2017 Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest is here!!!!! Steamfest celebrates Maitland’s rich steam and industrial heritage.

Saturday April 8 and Sunday April 9.
The Steamfest activities will mainly revolve around Maitland station and the nearby rally ground, in Central Maitland. Festival goers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to activities and attractions. They can jump on board the speedy Tin Hare for a historic trip out to Paterson or decide to experience the thrill of the Red Rattler when it zips out to Mount Thorley.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 7 Apr 2017.

Steamfest inspired photo shoot at Pelaw Main station

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The colour, history and the wonderful romantic and pioneering era of the steam train was brought to life in a photoshoot at Pelaw Main recently.
The pictures, taken by Mulbring photographer Paul O’Brien celebrate the great work Richmond Vale Rail Museum does and were inspired by Hunter Valley Steamfest happening in Maitland this weekend.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 7 Apr 2017.

Maitland Netball Association 70th anniversary

From the Maitland Mercury report:
This year marks the 70th anniversary for the Maitland netball competition. The season kicked-off on Saturday and started an important year for the association.
Before we look to this season, check out some of the photos from the year 1997 – the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Maitland Netball Association.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 7 Apr 2017.

Australian Mint to make commemorative coins at Hunter Valley Steamfest

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The Royal Australian Mint is giving locomotive lovers the chance to take home a piece of history from this year’s Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest.
Members of the Mint will bring a mobile coin press to Steamfest this year so punters can make their own uncirculated $1 coin to commemorate the centenary of the Trans-Australian Railway, which united the east and west of Australia.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 6 Apr 2017.

Organisers on track and rolling ahead of the 2017 Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest

It’s full steam ahead for the Hunter's celebration of trains and rail – Burton Automotive Hunter Valley Steamfest.
Rail Motor Society members were preparing heritage diesel engines at Paterson on Thursday, servicing the CHP1/CHP7 and 621/721 engines ahead of the weekend’s celebrations.
Operations manager Bruce Agland said he was looking forward to this year’s Steamfest, which begins on Saturday and wraps up on Sunday.

Full art6icle available at Maitland Mercury,  6 Apr 2017.

New builder gives new lease on life to derelict Flash Palace building Maitland

From the Maitland Mercury report:
It may be an eyesore now but the developers of the derelict Flash Palace building have given Maitland the assurance there will be something spectacular on the site within months.
The building has gradually deteriorated during the past 12 months with vandals and squatters trashing what is left of its fixtures and the interior after plans to renovate it were abandoned.

Maitland City Council approved 10 apartments in the Art Deco building at the eastern gateway to the $17 million Levee precinct.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 5 Apr 2017.

History of Hunter rail line captured on NFSA video

From the Maitland Mercury report:
It is easy to see why Jeff Wray fell in love with the sound of the steam train. The curator from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) spent 10 years on the tracks as a signal man with the state rail.

It was this interest in the train lines which helped kick-off a new documentary titled Steam on the Main North. The 15-minute film showcases the history of the Hunter region as a major transport network. It has been released just in time for Hunter Valley Steamfest, which celebrates Maitland’s rich steam and industrial heritage.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 4 Apr 2017.

Iconic machinery for 2017 Steamfest

From the Maitland Mercury report:
The first of Steamfest’s iconic engines has rolled into Maitland in preparation for the 32nd ​iteration of the event.
Among the hissing, churning machinery that draws thousands of people to the town is Sooty, a 1926 Fowler engine that journeys more than 360 kilometres from inland NSW to Maitland each year.
“Sooty would have more than 20 years at Steamfest now,” Councilor, co-pilot and The Burton Automotive Group Hunter Valley Steamfest organiser Peter Garnham said.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 4 Apr 2017.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Community Heritage Grants 2017

The 2017 grant round is now open. For details on how to apply, visit the guidelines and application form.
The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations such as libraries, archives, museums, genealogical and historical societies, multicultural and Indigenous groups. The grants are provided to assist with the preservation of locally owned, but nationally significant collections of materials that are publicly accessible including artefacts, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and audio visual material.

CHG is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Communications and the Arts; National Library of Australia; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive and the National Museum of Australia.

Heritage Architect Stephen Booker at the Maitland & District Historical Society

Stephen Booker will speak to the Maitland & District Historical Society on Tuesday, 4 April at 5.30pm in the Society’s Rooms at 3 Cathedral St, Maitland. His topic will be ‘Imbued History: Chronicles written in masonry and mortar in Maitland’.

Stephen is a Heritage Conservation architect who for the greater part of his 39-year professional career has worked on a wide variety of building types and styles from humble cottages to retail and hospitality developments, from modern buildings to some dating back to the 11th century. His company, Carste STUDIO, specialises in heritage buildings and places. It deals with heritage assessments, heritage impact statements, conservation management plans and the provision of conservation advice. He will be speaking to the Maitland & District Historical Society about the considerable heritage that is embodied in the buildings of Maitland.
Stephen provides heritage advice to councils, lives in a heritage house and has been involved in many heritage-related projects in and around Maitland and Morpeth. These have included the Archaeological Management Plan for the Maitland CBD and conservation works on a number of the prominent churches and commercial buildings in Maitland.
The talk is open to members of the public who are most welcome to attend. The Society asks for a gold-coin donation to cover the costs of refreshments.
Contact details for the Maitland & District Historical Society are:
Mobile: 0438 623299
Email: maitlandhistorical@gmail.com

The Scott sisters of Ash Island

Hunter Living Histories - Coal River Working Party

Article by Jodi Vial - Posted 27 March 2017

It is 1846 and Harriet Scott is a girl of 16 when her father, Alexander Walker Scott, decides to move his family from Sydney to a home on Ash Island, in the Hunter River near Hexham. Harriet is accompanied by her sister Helena, 14, her stepsister Mary Ann and the girls’ mother, Harriet. The scene would be unrecognisable today, as industry had not yet staked its claim on the wilds of Ash Island. The homestead built by Walker Scott stood quite close to the river, at the end of a long jetty,  and was surrounded by trees. As one visitor to the island wrote in a letter to The Colonist newspaper dated August 27, 1835....... https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2017/03/27/the-scott-sisters-of-ash-island/

Maitland council approves controversial seniors housing development at Berry Park

From the Maitland Mercury report:
A controversial seniors housing development proposed for the rural hamlet of Berry Park has been approved.
Maitland councillors voted in favour of the proposal, lodged by developer Hilton Grugeon, despite strong public opposition.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 29 Mar 2017.

Maitland's historic Oakhampton Cemetery overgrown and a city disgrace

From the Maitland Mercury report:
One of Maitland's oldest yet little known about cemeteries is in desperate need of remediation, even after thousands of dollars in State funding have been allocated in the past for its repair.
Some of Maitland's leading forefathers are buried in Oakhampton Cemetery, the historic site now labelled as a city disgrace.

Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 24 Mar 2017.