Succession Planning - Article by Patsey Moppett - 2015

Succession Planning 

The Succession Planning Workshop held by BMACHO in February at the Lithgow Mining Museum provided an opportunity for organisations and committees to find out the many ways to make their tasks easier and more effective and ensure their volunteers get the most out of their roles. (See Heritage January-February p.14). The day commenced with a tour of the museum site.

Lithgow Mining Museum workshops

BMACHO Vice President Ian Jack opened the proceedings. Those few who were able to attend were treated to very worthwhile presentations by the speakers, Emeritus Professor David Carment, Ray Christison, Lynn Collins and Tamara Lavrencic.

Both David and Ray spoke about their experiences in being on committees and their approaches to the success of their various organisations.

David Carment: David reviewed the principles set down by Museums and Galleries of NSW to assist organisations in their operations. He emphasized the importance of valuing the work of volunteers and encouraging their involvement, dealing with aging membership and finding people to fit the committee positions. Inclusion of fixed terms for positions and seeking people who have something to offer, may be key solutions.

Utilization of social media and sharing the load, are also ways to relieve the pressure. People have less and less time to be involved and to carry out the myriad of tasks required in a committee these days.

Ray Christison: Ray cover the topic under five headings, as follows:

•   What is succession planning – finding people to fill key positions on a committee to sustain the required functions of the group. In particular, finding a leader who will identify the problems and work to solve them. Ray quoted from Ben Chifley, “Rookwood is full of people who were indispensable”.
•  
•   Roles – the roles in a committee range from a leader, administration, program management, tour guides, site/building management, museum development. The task is finding suitable people who can do each of these jobs.
  

BMACHO Vice President Ian Jack addresses the group

•   Plan for the future – the problem is broken down, deciding who does what. Divide the position and delegate tasks. The tasks can be carried out by volunteers, casual staff or contractors.
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•   Attracting volunteers – the vision should be articulated. Sensible business planning should be undertaken, obtaining recognition for the organisation, creating a positive and creative environment for volunteers. Sometimes the facilities can be difficult for volunteers eg. heat/cold. Anticipate the benefits of participation. Network within the community. Keep exhibitions fresh, undertake projects that renew/maintain interest, for both volunteers and visitors.
•  
  
•   Alternatives – use contractors for some tasks if possible. Identify roles and cash flow, sponsors and compliances with legislation. Expand the capabilities of the group and possible use a business model. Make use of existing assets such as publications, local businesses, social media. Decide how to access different sectors of the community and have a clear vision. Have a vision statement, and communicate effectively.

Lyn Collins: Lyn summarised their comments and went on to highlight the salient points relating to continuity, role sharing, rotation of positions, reviewing the provisions of the relevant constitution, employing outside expertise, the importance of having a strategy and undertaking social events, and redefining the tasks and roles required. He emphasised the social benefits and the sustainability of committees..

Tamara Lavrencic: Tamara was visiting from the Museums and Galleries of NSW, and explained the Standards Program. It operates for some 10 months of the year and has a regional bias. It is an opportunity to seek assistance for surveying collections, management, engaging visitors, caring for the collection. An independent reviewer is sent out to each museum. They act as mentor to the museum management. Many resources are available, including risk management, grants, setting up a website, and an advisory service.

It provides an opportunity for self review against the national standard.

Editor’s comment: It would appear that we need to take time out of our busy schedules to find the time to help ourselves. It is strongly recommended that all organisations seek out the Principles for the Recognition of Volunteers for a review. Organisations that adopt the principles would be sending out a clear signal to current and potential volunteers that their contributions are valued. (www.volunteering.nsw.gov.au ).

Ref: HERITAGE - Newsletter of the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc - May-June 2015 by Patsey Moppett

For further reading see earlier post here

National Trust Heritage Festival 2015

Registrations for the National Trust Heritage Festival 2015 are now open

The National Trust Heritage Festival will take place from the 11 April - 26 May 2015. Celebrating 35 years as the longest running community festival, it' because of organisations like yours that the festival keeps growing, attracting tourists from all over Australia and overseas.

'Conflict and Compassion' is the theme for the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival; it has shaped who we are and helped a new multicultural nation evolve.

In 2015, Australia commemorates the centenary of the ANZACs. For many Australians, the battle of Gallipoli is inextricably linked with our national identity. But how else does conflict and compassion shape our nation?

From our Indigenous history to the centenary of World War I, the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival will explore the human side of war, rebellion, sacrifice and endurance, and the extraordinary stories of courage and compassion that come from the horror of conflict and strife.

It is free to register a heritage related event for the festival.

40,000 copies of the printed guide will be distributed throughout NSW, to libraries, councils, tourist information centres, event participants and to all of our members. The Heritage Festival also provides free publicity to encourage people to attend your events and to give you greater exposure. To register your event click here

Farm Magic

Broadcast: 12/10/2014 12:51:42 PM

Reporter: Fiona Breen

 

Woodbury House, in Tasmania, has long been a crumbling reminder of another time. Empty for decades, this prominent 19th Century homestead was falling into ruin when Queensland heritage expert Alan Cooper drove past while on holiday.

To see the Landline program click here.

Do we have similar records (photos or videos) in the Central Tablelands area?

Memory Bank - Newsletter of Millthorpe Museum

 

 

 

 

Report on CTC of MA workshop 16 Aug 2014

Central Tablelands Chapter N.S.W of Museums Australia

A very successful workshop on Aboriginal protocols for Museums was held by the Central Tablelands Chapter of Museums Australia on Saturday 16th of August at the Golden Memories Museum in Millthorpe and was hosted by the Millthorpe and District Historical Society.

The leading Presenter was Phil Gordon the Aboriginal Heritage Project Officer Anthropology Research at the Australian Museum in Sydney.

Phil Gordon preparing the Power Point Presentation before the workshop began


Phil presentation covered the many issues facing museums on how to display, store and handle Aboriginal objects that museum’s may have in their collections.




The workshop also focused on Developing a Community Practice: Museums and Reconciliation in Australia from the book Museums, Society, Inequality by Lynda Kelly and Phil Gordon.

Museum’s Australia’s Aboriginal Protocols Titled “Continuous Cultures, Ongoing Responsibilities was made available to members
 
This document is on the Principles and Guidelines for Australian Museums working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage.
 
A copy of this document is available on the Museum’s Australia wed site or by contacting Elaine Kaldy at hazelgrove@sharpdsl.com.


In support of the Workshop a committee of 7 People from The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council attended the workshop. This Committee was lead by Neil Ingram whom performed a touching Welcome to Country ceremony.

Left to right front row John Gerard and Doug Sutherland. Back row Greg Ingram Terry McLean Uncle Pat Neil Ingram, members of Orange Local Aborigine Land Council
Phil Gordon, Aboriginal Heritage Project Officer Anthropology Research at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Elaine Kaldy President of Central Tablelands Chapter of Museums Australia and Brain Turnbull from the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council

After lunch an inspection and a talk was given by Elaine Kaldy about the Golden Memories Museum’s Display WIRADIJURI DREAMING and the Museum’s collection of Aboriginal objects.

This was followed by a presentation of the Dabee project which is being funded by the Department of Heritage and Conservation and Moolarben mine.

Presenters were Lyne Syme and Colin Jones Project managers.

This display is planned as a travelling exhibition so that local schools and Museums can host this exhibition that relate to the early Aboriginal occupation and history of Dabee Wiradijuri people’s.
 
For details of the touring display contact Colin Jones on the following link oldcuriosityshopmud@bigpond.com

2014 NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Awards

HERITAGE, Newsletter of BMACHO - Jan-Feb 2014

Governor to open Locomotive Depot museum at Valley Heights 

 

by John Leary, OAM 

LONG GONE is the excitement of the steam train, like a great steel monster white steam gushing from its nostrils, as it pulls out of Sydney Central, quickly passing the back yards of another generation’s dwellings of the western suburbs, then racing at what in those days was considered a break-neck speed across the Cumberland Plains much of it then still farmland until the noisy loco and its train reached Penrith, then a small country town soon to develop as the hub of a satellite city with new suburbs housing a considerable population.
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.  .  .  .

 

‘For the cricket tragics’  
By John Leary, OAM

 

ANY of our readers have probably spent considerable time during the 2013 - 14 festive season, watching grown men throw a usually red leather covered ball at three sticks, which another player seems to protect, while others on the field stand by in silly mid on and in slips seemingly with little to do.

It seems there have been five tests this summer between England and Australia and the uninitiated must wonder why so many examinations for what seemingly is a simple sport. 
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.   .   .   .

Lesser known accounts of early and mid-19th Century journeys over the Blue Mountains

by Peter Rickwood

Introduction

 
The diaries of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth relating to their discovery of a route over the Blue Mountains in 1813, of Evans in extending that route to Bathurst in 1814, and of Cox in building the road, all predate the type of journey that is of concern here.
Well known, and often cited, are the descriptions of journeys over the Blue Mountains road that were collated by Mackaness in his “Fourteen Journeys”1. Amongst these are accounts of travel on the ‘road’ by Antill (1815), Macquarie (1815), Quoy, Guadichaud and Pellion (1819), Hawkins (1822), Field (1822), Lesson (1824), Dumaresq (1827), Backhouse (1835), Darwin (1836), Meredith (1839) and Stanger (1841) - many published long after the year of their journey. Accounts by ‘celebrities’ such as Louisa Meredith2 and Rachel Henning3 have recently been followed by John Low’s discussion of the travels of Mrs Mary Elizabeth Martindale.4 
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Click here to view/download the full newsletter.

2013-2015 NSW Heritage Grants

To all interested heritage owners and managers, individuals, organisations and local councils

2013-2015 NSW Heritage Grants

Funding for 2014-13 heritage projects

Applications open on 30 October 2013

The Minister for Heritage is pleased to launch the 2014-2015 NSW Heritage Grants funding program. The NSW Government has committed $5.96 million funding over two years to the 2013-2015 NSW Heritage Grants. We are pleased to notify you about funding opportunities to assist heritage projects.

NSW Heritage Grants aims to recognise and protect the State’s most significant heritage places and values to ensure future generations can enjoy them.

For program details and applications forms go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/funding/index.htm

Applications are now invited for

ü  Aboriginal heritage projects for a range of Aboriginal cultural heritage projects. Minimum projects $20,000; grants up to $100,000.  Closing date Monday, 2 December 2013

ü  Major works projects for conservation, maintenance and adaptive reuse of State Heritage Register listed items. Minimum projects $80,000, grants between $40,000 and $150,000.  Closing date Monday, 2 December 2013

ü  Community, youth and seniors heritage projects to deliver community heritage projects that build skills, confidence and connections. Minimum projects $25,000, grants generally up to $50,000. Closing date Monday, 2 December 2013

ü  Local government heritage advisors funding to local councils across NSW to engage heritage specialist advice for local communities to manage their heritage. Grants up to $7,500 to engage heritage specialist advice.  Closing date Monday, 2 December 2013

ü  Local heritage places grants funding to local councils across NSW for small grants for local works projects. Grants up to $8,500 for distribution for community heritage projects.  Closing date Monday, 2 December 2013

Applications are also invited throughout the year for

ü  Emergency works projects funding for emergency projects for State Heritage Register and heritage items with a current Interim Heritage Order. Minimum grants $10,000 for $10,000+ projects.

For further assistance with your project, please contact Victoria Throp on phone 02 9873 8577 or email victoria.throp@heritage.nsw.gov.au

Yours sincerely,

Miriam Stacy



Miriam Stacy
Senior Heritage Officer, NSW Heritage Grants
Heritage Division
Regional Operations Group and Heritage
Office of Environment and Heritage
NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
Locked Bag 5020 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
3 Marist Place Parramatta NSW 2150
T: 02 9873 8576 F: 9873 8599
E: miriam.stacy@heritage.nsw.gov.au 
W: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Heritage/funding/index.htm

Recent updates to the State Heritage Inventory

Email from -
Stewart Watters
Senior Heritage Officer, Heritage Division
Office of Environment and Heritage

Dear Networkers,

The Heritage Division has received and recently updated the State Heritage Inventory with heritage data from the following Councils:

Canada Bay Council - 541 items and 20 conservation areas on the LEP
Coffs Harbour City Council - 99 items on LEP plus considerable work completed as part of the heritage study and revision of LEP.
Eurobodalla Council - 277 items on LEP
Greater Taree City Council - 294 items and 6 conservation areas on the LEP

A great result from these Councils.  This heritage information is available through the State Heritage Inventory at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/heritagesearch.aspx

For your information the Heritage Division currently has 8 heritage inventories awaiting update and transfer to the State Heritage Inventory including: Snowy River Council, North Sydney Council, Maitland Council, Dep of Education, RailCorp, Bathurst City Council, Inverell Shire Council, Wollongong City Council and Parramatta City Council.

If you are considering sending through your heritage data can I please ask that you hold off now until the new year.

Many thanks for your ongoing support of the heritage databases.

regards
Stewart

Stewart Watters
Senior Heritage Officer, Database Manager
Heritage Division
Office of Environment and Heritage
NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
Locked Bag 5020 Parramatta NSW 2124
T: 02 9873 8561
W: www.heritage.nsw.gov.au

An Irish Heritage: The Daltons of Orange

 Email below from Orange & District Historical Society.

Greetings all,

As our program comes together the excitement is beginning to mount.
We greatly appreciate your interest in the coming Dalton exhibition being organised by Orange and District Historical Society. This is a brief update about the exhibition and related events so you can make a note in your diary.

The exhibition opening will take place at 6 for 6.30pm at Duntryleague, Woodward Street, Orange, on Thursday 7 November. It will be opened by the Irish Consul-General Ms Caitriona Ingoldsby. This event will be by invitation.
The exhibition will continue daily from Friday 8 November until Sunday 17 November from 10am to 4pm. Entry will be $5 for adults and $3 for school children.
Included in the exhibition, in the adjoining Dalton and Cedar rooms, will be explanatory posters covering the lives of James Dalton Senior, his sons Thomas and James, their homes, the Orange Dalton Brothers’ store and flour mills, the Dalton pastoral empire, the Sydney import/export business, the family’s relationship with the Catholic Church, their support of the Irish cause, their homes and the younger generation, as well as photographs, documents and other items connected with the family.

During the exhibition period, the owners of five Dalton homes have agreed to host guided tours. They are:
Ammerdown: Friday 8 November, 9am, 10.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm
Knocklong: Wednesday 13 November, 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm
Mena: Friday 15 November, 11am and 2pm
Emly: Saturday 16 November, 2pm & 3pm
Galbally: Sunday 17 November, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Tickets will cost $10 for one house, $15 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four and $30 for five. They must be bought ahead by contacting Dave & Julie Sykes, phone: 6362-1682 (email: sjsykes@bigpond.com), or Phil Stevenson on 0402 412 188 (email: ibiswines@bigpond.com). They may be picked up at Heritage Cottage, 148 March Street on Wednesdays 10-12.30pm and 2-4pm or elsewhere by prior arrangement. No tickets will be sold at the entrance to the houses.
This is a rare opportunity to visit these Dalton houses and marvel at the stunning architecture and rich interiors.

The society is also hosting two screenings of the popular 1927 silent movie about Orange, ‘The Way We Were’. This extremely rare movie had its premiere in Orange last year after lying forgotten under a house in Condobolin for many years. It shows Orange’s streets, shops, businesses and people as they were 86 years ago. It was so popular that we showed it six times to packed houses. Of particular interest to anyone with connections to the Dalton family is a glimpse of Dalton Brothers’ store, the Dalton flour mill in Peisley Street, and Michael Dalton with colleagues at Canobolas Shire Council.
The movie will be shown at 6.30 for 7pm at Odeon Cinema 5, William Street, Orange, on Sunday 3 November and Sunday 10 November. Tickets will cost $15. They must be bought ahead by contacting Dave & Julie Sykes, phone: 6362-1682 (email: djsykes@bigpond.com), or Phil Stevenson on 0402 412 188 (email: ibiswines@bigpond.com). They may be picked up at Heritage Cottage, 148 March Street on Wednesdays 10-12.30pm and 2-4pm. No tickets will be sold at the cinema.

We do hope that you can attend some or all of the above events. The exhibition, Dalton homes tours and the 1927 movie are the society’s major fund-raiser for the year. The funds generated will go towards our continuing work to preserve the history of Orange and District.
Many thanks to those who have provided us with information on the Daltons and associated families. We shall continue collecting Dalton history right up to and well beyond the exhibition dates. I am sure that we have barely scratched the surface of their amazing story.
Best regards

Phil Stevenson
0402412188
(For Liz Edwards, our Dalton project chair who is taking a well earned break travelling in Central Asia until 10th October)

The Paragon Café in Katoomba - Talk by Ian Jack

Thursday 25 July 2013
Talk by Ian Jack
The Paragon Café in Katoomba: its social, aesthetic and industrial heritage
 
Greek cafes of the 1920s and 1930s have a special place in Australian social history and occupy a distinctive heritage niche. The Paragon in Katoomba is the apotheosis of the Greek cafe, still flourishing after ninety years, still renowned for its chocolates and its ambience.  But there is more to the Paragon than most people have seen: two spectacular function rooms behind the public cafe and the industrial zone upstairs, with its bakery, chocolaterie, dumb waiter and original equipment.

Ian Jack has been interested in the Paragon since he supervised the heritage assessment twelve years ago and is strongly supportive of the efforts of the present tenant, Robyn Parker, to conserve its heritage values.  Ian has retired from the Department of History at the University of Sydney and is a past President of both ASHET and the Royal Australian Historical Society.


Venue: History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Time: 5.30 for 6 pm
Cost; Includes light refreshments on arrival; RAHS and ASHET members $10, others $12
Bookings: phone RAHS on (02) 9247 8001 or email history@rahs.org.au



David Craddock
Secretary ASHET

Powerhouse Museum Movable Heritage Fellow for 2013 - Leanne Wicks from Kandos

Miners hard hat, 1947, Kandos

Coming up with an idea for a research project was not difficult for me living on the edge of the Western coalfield of NSW.  Evidence of Kandos’ past reliance on the winning of coal doesn’t take much digging.  

With superior Kandos cement from kilns heated with Kandos coal contributing to the concrete footings and pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, no wonder it stands strong after 80 years.  Evidence of the region’s present reliance on coal is also easy to find with many coal mines dotting the landscape.  

Fascinated by the objects in the Kandos Bicentennial Industrial Museum that came from the Kandos Collieries located within a kilometre of the back door, I want to tell the story of the many men who have mined this black treasure from 1913 to 2001.  Having grown up with green coloured glasses, I’m enjoying the challenge of respecting the history of coal-mining, researching the facts about this industry and recoiling at what some mines are doing to the land.  

Battery Locomotive used in Kandos No.2 Colliery to hail out skips

In just the same way as you always see the same type of car that you’ve just purchased, but never really noticed that model before, I am finding coal everywhere.  From statues of miners in Lithgow to 1936 maps of NSW minerals in my late grandfather’s books.  Being a city girl, I have not grown up with any sort of wood heating and cannot share in people’s memories of the smell of coal, but I am a poet and there’s plenty of coal miner’s poetry to be found in Kandos.  There must be some time for musing underground.  And before you think that coal references can be boring, even Alfred, Lord Tennyson describes the amazing knight, Sir Lancelot:

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow’d;
On burnish’d hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow’d
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.

So with images of burnished war horses and shining armour, I find myself delighting in rusty locomotives and duperite helmets.  My Movable Heritage Fellowship project involves researching and creating object files, with significance statements and also creating an exhibition from the colliery items in the Kandos Museum.  This month’s job is to locate every colliery object and find some coal miners to help me understand what the objects did and how they work. 

Written by Leanne Wicks, Kandos

Ref: Powerhouse Museum

Funding - NSW heritage grants

Caring for our heritage

The NSW Government has committed $5.96 million funding to the 2013-14 and 2014-15 NSW Heritage Grants programs.
Applications for funding over 2013-14 open in April 2013 as set out below. Successful projects will be announced in July 2013.
Applications for funding over 2014-15 will open in October 2013 as set out below. Successful projects will be announced in April 2014.

NSW Heritage Grants program

NSW Heritage Grants aims to recognise and protect the state’s most significant heritage places and values to ensure future generations can enjoy them.

Applications now open

Aboriginal heritage projects
Applications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2014–15 open in October 2013
Community, youth and seniors heritage projectsApplications for project funding in 2014–15 open in October 2013
Major works projectsApplications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2014–15 open in October 2013
Heritage reports
Applications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2015–16 open in late 2014
Local heritage places grants
Applications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2014–15 open in October 2013
Local government heritage advisors
Applications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2014–15 open in October 2013
Local government heritage planning studies
Applications for project funding in 2013–14 open on 15 April 2013 and close on 3 June 2013
Applications for project funding in 2015–16 open in late 2014

Applications invited throughout 2013-14 and 2014-15

Emergency works projects

More information

Further information about the NSW Heritage Grants program and other heritage funding sources is available at:

• Program evaluations
• Annual Reports
• Assistance through other sources
• Local history and archives projects

For further assistance with your project, please contact Victoria Throp on phone 02 9873 8577 or email victoria.throp@heritage.nsw.gov.au

The Grants and Funding 2013 booklet is now available online from Museums & Galleries (NSW).

Grant to discover history of mining

Kandos Museum volunteer Leanne Wicks has won a $5000 fellowship to research the history of coal mining in the Kandos area.

Each year, the Powerhouse Museum awards the Movable Heritage Fellowship to one tertiary student in Australia to work with a community museum on a research project.

Ms Wicks, who is working towards a postgraduate diploma in Museum Studies, is only the second Macquarie University student to be awarded the year-long fellowship, which includes a week’s internship at the Powerhouse Museum.

Ms Wicks began thinking about the region’s mining history when Bylong Public School had an excursion to the museum to learn about coal.

Her own background lies on the environmental side of the coal question, but she acknowledged that without the coal in the mountain, there would have been no cement works and so no Kandos.

After seeing the rehabilitation work done by Environment and Community Officer Matt Gray at Charbon Colliery, she realised there were positive aspects to the other side of the story that she didn’t know about.

Through her fellowship, Ms Wicks will record details of the museum’s coal industry artefacts and assess their historical significance.

So far, she has identified around 50 objects from the three separate collieries that serviced the Kandos cement works, ranging from the large coal loader in the museum yard down to an old cloth hat with a metal front to hold a candle.

Research suggests that coal was mined from the area that would become Kandos as far back as 1890, and well before the establishment of the cement works and the town.

The coal in the mountain was one of the qualities that made the area attractive for industry, with a steelworks proposed before the cement works eventually claimed the site.

Ms Wicks said the Kandos colliery was seen as a model mine for the rest of the country to follow, pioneering technology such as Australia’s first continuous miner, which scraped coal from the seam and dumps it into a container.

She said photos showed the progression of mining, from shovels, picks and pit ponies at the founding of the cement works in 1913, to the rail system and later conveyer belts.

“We’ve got this wonderful progression of technology in one mountain, so that fascinated me,” Ms Wicks said.

She hopes to organise a day on which she would invite people to visit the museum and share stories of coal mining in the Kandos area, or allow her to see and document any mining artefacts they have.

When the coal-related items in the collection have been assessed, Ms Wicks hopes to exhibit them in the museum’s new gallery space.

Ms Wicks said she was inspired by American museum consultant Elaine Gurian’s description of museums as “safe places for unsafe ideas”, making an exhibition in the Kandos Museum the ideal location for the controversial conversation about coal mining.

Heritage and the Internet - BMACHO Occasional Papers No.1; 2012

 

HERITAGE AND THE INTERNET

Barrie Reynolds

40 Hume Avenue 

Wentworth Falls NSW 2782
barrie.r@bigpond.net.au

Introduction
In May 2012, BMACHO hosted a Seminar on Heritage and the Internet at Wentworth Falls, in the Blue Mountains. The aim was to increase awareness of the potential of the Internet for locating historical sources and what is involved in the online publication of material of this nature.

The presentations of the three speakers at the Seminar are published here in slightly amended form for a wider audience. Each speaker addressed a key aspect of the subject and, as will be seen, provided a list of sources on which participants (and now readers) could draw. It is expected that readers will extend their interest well beyond these basic lists and add to them other sources that they find useful.

First presentation

DOCUMENTS TO DIGITAL - USING
THE INTERNET FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Carol Liston
School of Humanities and Communication Arts
University of Western Sydney
c.liston@uws.edu.au

 

Abstract
Successful Internet searching requires some pre-planning, a basic knowledge of the tools, and record keeping of sources tried. Some search strategies are suggested and hints are given on using various features of Google, Trove, and the catalogues and eresources of the National Library and the State Library of NSW.

Second presentation

FROM NET TO KNOWLEDGE: MUSEUM OBJECTS, MATERIAL CULTURE
AND THE INTERNET
Michael Lech
Curator, Collections online
Historic Houses Trust of NSW
michl@hht.net.au

Abstract
The internet has opened up a whole range of new sources of information for those researching, documenting and cataloguing museum objects. This paper will examine how to use the internet as a tool to undertake good historical research about Australia's material culture - it will look at what information is available online and how to find and interpret that information.

Introduction 

 “Facts… are like fish swimming about in a vast ... ocean; and what the historian catches will depend, partly on chance, but mainly on what part of the ocean he chooses to fish in and what tackle he chooses to use – these two factors being, of course, determined by the kind of fish he wants to catch.” (Carr 1961, p.23)

Third presentation

THE INTERNET FROM AN EDITOR’S VIEWPOINT
Peter C. Rickwood
Editor of the Blue Mountains History Journal
Public Officer and past-President of the Blue Mountains Historical Society
& Visiting Senior Research Fellow
BEES, University of New South Wales
p.rickwood@unsw.edu.au

Abstract
Lessons learned whilst publishing a journal both online and in print form are discussed. An editor spends a great deal of time checking the references cited by authors so the means for doing that on the Internet are detailed.

Introduction
Publishing online is made less painful if the Webmaster is cooperative, competent and fast. But even so the load falls on the Editor to ensure that the manuscripts comply with the format that the publishing authority has adopted. My experience is mostly related to the Blue Mountains History Journal.


Download full BMACHO Occasional Papers No.1; 2012

Funding for Hartley site

THE success of the inaugural Back to Hartley event in October was a sure sign the historic village’s revitalisation plans are moving along well.

With the $5100 raised from the celebration handed over to the designated three charities at the site on last week, Member for Calare Paul Toole kept the momentum going with an announcement of $452,000 of funding from the State Government to be spent on the second stage of plans.

While the Cancer Support Group Inc Lithgow and District, Lithgow Prostate Cancer Support Group and Lithgow Community Projects Incorporated were happy with their cheques, the Hartley Historic Site received a very healthy boost.

With the money, revitalisation works are planned to be done by the end of May next year.

Ref: Lithgow Mercury 28/12/12