Federation of Australian Historical Societies

FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETIES INC

e-BULLETIN No. 139 – 12 July 2015

Hon Editor, Dr Ruth S. Kerr

1) Commonwealth Parliamentary Friends of History and Heritage

2) Funding for Tasmania's National Heritage List sites

3) Victorian Places website

4) Broken Hill Historical Society - 50th anniversary

5) Unpublished recipe search and "Cooking for Copyright"

1) Commonwealth Parliamentary Friends of History and Heritage

Federation of Australian Historical Societies involvement

On Wednesday 24 June a planning meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of History & Heritage was held at Parliament House, Canberra, convened by Hon Eric Hutchinson (Federal Member for Lyons) and Hon Laurie Ferguson (Federal Member for Werriwa) as co-chairs of this initiative. The Department of Parliamentary Services granted formal approval for this Parliamentary Friendship Group of the 44th Parliament on 19 March 2015.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt, who indicated strong personal support for this friends group, and outlined its goals as follows:

Members (ie interested politicians) being a group of bi partisan advocates for heritage issues generally within Parliament. Other members such as representatives of Federation of Historical Societies, ICOMOS, and Australian Council of National Trusts, would also contribute to the debate and raise issues for consideration.
The group could provide information/ suggestions for priority listings for National Heritage List assessment.
Arts Culture and Heritage Lottery – This was described by the Minister as the “real prize” which is being proposed by government – and would be based on successful examples of the West Australian Government and the UK Heritage Lottery. The Minister outlined this as a high priority, with a six month time frame proposed to work out the details of this initiative. This funding mechanism will help address community concerns about the limited funding available for heritage initiatives.
Australian Heritage Strategy – This has the Minister’s support, but the release is being delayed to allow for joint announcement of the establishment of the Heritage and Arts Lottery.

Associate Professor Don Garden, President of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies provided a short presentation outlining the importance of Australia’s heritage, the opportunities for heritage tourism, associated job creation and the importance of volunteerism. He stressed the following:

The need for a solution to the “Williams Case” which has resulted in the discontinuation of Commonwealth funding for community heritage initiatives.
Support for a heritage lottery initiative as outlined above.
Amendments required to the Australian Heritage Council legislation particularly in relation to the ability to list serial sites across the country related to a single theme/site type.
The need for finalisation of the Australian Heritage Strategy as outlined above.

It is proposed to have the first meeting of this Parliamentary Friends Group in the months ahead, likely September or October with a launch event at Parliament House to encourage wide participation and attendance by interested politicians and others.

(Source: http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/Parliamentary-Friends-of-History-Heritage.pdf - Email -
26 June 2015)

2) Funding for Tasmania's National Heritage List sites

Some of Tasmania’s most significant sites on Australia’s National Heritage List will share in Federal Government funding to protect and maintain their historic values.

Richmond Bridge, Darlington Probation Station, Brickendon Estate and Woolmers Estate have all received funding to support conservation and interpretation works.

The Department of State Growth in Tasmania will receive $97,000 to revise the 2010 Conservation Management Plan, and undertake various priority bridge conservation maintenance works. Constructed in 1823-25, Richmond Bridge is recognised as Australia's oldest bridge still in operation. It is a significant example of a stone arch bridge erected by convict labour.

A further $240,000 is being provided to undertake conservation and interpretation works at Darlington Probation Station, on Maria Island. The interpretation material will highlight the World Heritage values of the Darlington precinct and its convict history. Darlington Probation Station is one of 11 historic sites that together form the Australian Convicts Sites World Heritage property.

Brickendon and Woolmers Estate are also part of the Australian Convicts Sites World Heritage property. Brickendon will receive $80,000 to undertake conservation works to the roof, including associated plumbing. Woolmers Estate will receive $300,000 to support conservation works to the Homestead, Pump House, Coach House and Stables, Woolshed and Gardeners Cottage, as well as developing an interpretation plan for the site.

The funding is part of the Federal Government's Protecting National Historic Sites Programme. The programme supports activities that protect, manage, maintain and conserve places listed on the National Heritage List for their historic values.

Other Tasmanian historic heritage sites on the National Heritage List include Port Arthur, the Coal Mines Historic Site, the Cascades Female Factory and the north-east peninsula of Recherché Bay.

(Source: Tasmanian HERITAG E-NEWS: June 2015)

3) Victorian Places website

The State Library of Victoria (SLV) has launched a new website called 'Victorian Places'. It lists every town and suburb in Victoria and provides a history for each place with, photos, maps, excerpts from newspapers and current demographic information.

It's similar to the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB) for towns and suburbs. It will certainly come in handy in the heritage sector and for researchers working on place based projects.

The State Library of Victoria has taken a leadership role in this website in partnership with
Monash University and the University of Queensland.www.victorianplaces.com.au

(Source: RHSV Email – 25 June 2015)

4) Broken Hill Historical Society - 50th anniversary

The Broken Hill Historical Society Inc celebrated their 50th Anniversary Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of June 2015.

The Historical Society came about through a group of dedicated people, Mr Jim Prendergast, Mr F. O ’Grady, Mr G Wills, Mr Peter Franey (school teacher) and Mr V Fisher. An informal meeting was arranged to discuss the possibility of forming a local Historical Society in Broken Hill 30 March 1965.

A month later a public meeting was held at the Broken Hill City Council Chambers, then situated in the Town Hall in Argent Street. The meeting took place 13 April 1965 and around 27 people attended. A resolution was carried that the Broken Hill Historical Society be formed and a draft constitution was considered. The constitution was adopted at a meeting held on 27th April 1965. The Society had 28 financial members and two honorary members.

Regular meetings were held on the second Monday of the month a tradition which is still in practice today.

The First Committee consisted of Patron: Sir Maurice Mawby C.B.E.; President: James Prendergast; Vice President: Geoffrey W. Lithgow BSc; Honorary Secretary: Mr. V. Fisher; Minute Secretary Mr G Wills BA; Honorary Treasurer: John Gough; Programme Committee: Mr Allan Coulls, Mr F O’Grady and Richard Hugh Bell Kearns.

The Society became very active with members looking into the possibility of saving the old Mosque in Buck Street. The land was purchased by Broken Hill City Council, who still owns the property. Members of the Society restored the old Mosque in 1965.

An inspection of the Silverton Goal took place in October 1966 and that year the Society was instrumental in setting up a special trust under the Department of Crown Lands.

The building was renovated by the members of the Broken Hill Historical Society and is now one of the best Museums in the outback. It was officially opened 15 September 1968. The Silverton Gaol Museum is open daily and the society’s coordinator is Ken McLachlan and volunteers work each day on a roster system.

During 2014 there were 15,137 people through the door and many wonderful comments were received.

Another Silverton Building which is run by the Broken Hill Historical Society is the Silverton School Museum and our Coordinator is Marlene Bettes. Lessons are $3.50 each and Adults $2.50. School children love how Marlene has set up the former classroom, and they enjoy learning what it was like years ago. During 2014 3,726 people visited these premises.

The Synagogue closed in 1962. The scrolls, silver ware and other items were removed by members of the Hebrew community in Melbourne.

The Broken Hill Historical Society purchased the Synagogue July 1990 after Mr. Alwyn Edelman contacted the Society. Restoration work was carried out immediately and the official opening took place 16th June 1991. The Broken Hill Synagogue was the first one ever built outside the Sydney Metropolitan area.

The Synagogue of the Outback Museum is the headquarters of the Broken Hill Historical Society. The coordinator of the Synagogue of the Outback Museum is Margaret Price. Visitors enjoy looking inside the former place of worship. In the Ralph Wallace Research Centre which is situated at the back section of the former Synagogue there is a display full of Titanic Memorabilia which was donated to the Society by Bradley Falappi and John Hartley donated a wonderful collection of Diecast cars.

Our 50th Anniversary held 6th June was a success and it was good to see the number of visitors who came along to listen to our guest speakers. A marquee was set up behind the research centre to make more room and the weather was pleasant, and not too cold. Most of the arrangements for the celebration were carried out by the President Jim Daly, Secretary Jenny Camilleri, Ken McLauchlan and Paula Williams.

Professor Simon R Molesworth AO, QC, Patron of the Broken Hill Historical Society, introduced Associate Professor Don Garden of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies to our members and guests. Everyone enjoyed the power point presentation. Vice President of the Society Luke Cripps presented Simon and Don with a certificate of appreciation on the behalf of the Society. An afternoon tea, was supplied by Sumer Goble of the Café in Thomas Street.

On Sunday 7th the Secretary Jenny Camilleri was delighted to show Simon, Lindy and Don through the Mosque.

Leaving the Mosque members and guests made their own way to Silverton to check out our venues. The Silverton Gaol Museum, and Silverton School Museum. The two hours browsing around the Silverton Gaol Museum went really quick and before we knew it was lunch time. The Silverton Tea Rooms supply wonderful home cooked meals which was enjoyed by all. Leaving the Café we travelled over to check out the former Umberumberka Lodge building, thanks to David Blows (President of the Broken Hill Family History Group). Visitors then went to the Silverton School Museum and everyone headed for home soon after.

The highlight of the day was receiving a Certificate of Excellence from the Trip advisor President Marc Charron. This prestigious award can only be earned through consistently great reviews which are published on the world’s largest travel site.

Some of the comments were:

‘Brilliant historical museum.’

‘The museum has a collection of items from the past that otherwise would have been lost or destroyed. The society needs our appreciation and support for the great efforts they have made in collecting and displaying the history of Broken Hill and District.’

‘Fantastic’.

‘The whole family really enjoyed this museum. There is so much to see, that it took a lot longer than expected to see everything. The stone building holds plenty for all with one of the nest rock/mineral exhibits we’ve seen. The mine exhibits are interesting too. Well worth a visit. The staff was also extremely informative.’

Visitors from Australia and Overseas leave so many countless comments in our visitor’s book. The Certificate of Excellence now takes pride in the Silverton Gaol Museum.

(Source: Ms Jenny Camilleri, Secretary, Broken Hill Historical Society, 18 June 2015)

5) Unpublished recipe search and "Cooking for Copyright"

Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Australian Public Library Alliance are supporting the activities of the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee. They are seeking unpublished recipes, written before 1955, that can be utilized for this initiative. They are obtaining the recipes and developing a social media graphics in the meantime, for a proposed launch on 13 July.

COOKING FOR COPYRIGHT

Background

The Attorney General has to respond to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s proposals for copyright law reform by 17 September. There is a window of opportunity to raise awareness of an all-round beneficial, non-controversial amendment. This would be to bring unpublished works into the normal copyright regime (70 years after the death of the creator). At present there is perpetual copyright in unpublished works. These works can include old diaries, letters, company records, theses, photographs. The impact is felt by our big collecting institutions, university libraries and by public libraries with local history collections, where these items cannot legally be digitised and made accessible to the community, family historians, researchers, and so on.

ALIA is seeking a way of stirring up interest with the general public, encouraging media coverage and gaining the interest and awareness of federal MPs and Senators. We will be asking the Attorney General to make digital access to unpublished works possible – something which would benefit everyone and would have no adverse effect on commercial publishers.

FAIR campaign

Under the FAIR banner ALIA proposes publishing a handful of recipes from unpublished sources and asking people to ‘cook for copyright’ – criminal cookies, infringement fudge – send us in a photo of their output, tweet, facebook, instagram, using our hashtag. It’s a fun way to get a serious message across and to raise awareness in a positive way.

Partners include Library users, Country Women’s Association, Federation of Australian Historical Societies, National Trust, GLAM sector institutions, Publishers.

Activities: Viral campaign on social media, Library morning teas, delivery of baked and sweet goods to MPs (and Senators) in their constituencies, media release.

Timing: Friday 31 July is ‘Cooking for Copyright’ day.

(Source: Australian Libraries and Information Association, Sue McKerracher, Email 3 July 2015)