Newsletter No. 16 - Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage ...

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Contents......... HERITAGE July - August 2011 * P1 The Katoomba Waltz dedicated to an early chief justice * P2 Council’s call for public participation in heritage advisory role welcomed * P3 Local history blog * P3 Grant awarded to BMACHO * P3 Telstra grant for workshops * P5 Evans opened the way to the west * P9 What would you keep in an empty jar? * P11 Dear old golden rules days * P13 Crumbled chimney stack only reminder of Polar explorer who lived in Woodford * P14 Special days in World War 1 * P16 Historic 1880s Carrington Hotel to be venue for BM history conference * P16 Jean Arthur in BM Hospital * P17 School of Arts or Mechanics Institutes have their origin in early 19th century * P18 Council explains LEP processes * P20 Heritage briefs around the world * P21 The Domesday Book From the editor’s pen...... THOSE INTERESTED in the protection and conservation of our heritage will welcome Blue Mountains City Council’s recent decision to establish a heritage advisory committee of council. The prompt action of council staff in calling for nominations from the community soon after the decision is also worthy of commendation. Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations (BMACHO) has for several years been advocating the establishment of a heritage advisory committee of council. Council’s call for public participation in heritage advisory role welcomed BMACHO has on occasions expressed concerns at what seemed to be delays in the process of having council accept the proposal for such a committee which are not uncommon in other local government units around the state and in fact in Australia. On this occasion credit is due to the elected members of council and it’s planning staff for the decision which should ultimately benefit council in its deliberations on heritage issues. It is pleasing to BMACHO that council has acceded to some of the requests made by those in the heritage sector, both volunteers and professionals. Council’s decision to establish a heritage advisory council acknowledges the wealth of knowledge concerning the region’s heritage and history, gained over many years by members of historical and heritage societies in the region. In BMACHO’s view there are still some issues that its members would have liked to have seen included in the terms of reference for the establishment of the committee. However, within the wide parameter of council’s objectives those who council decides to appoint to the committee should be able to provide some valuable expertise in matters of heritage advice. Those who apply to be considered for appointment to the heritage advisory committee need to be very much aware that heritage is but a small part of the sometimes lengthy process of planning, a point that BMACHO has been stating for many years. One of council’s stated objectives for the heritage advisory committee, is a review of the heritage component of LEP 1991. This is the type of activity on which those in the heritage sector of our community are well equipped to provide. Council recently released a quite comprehensive and easily understood, clear language document dealing with LEP processes and again this has been a worthwhile initiative of council’s planning staff. In welcoming council’s decision to work more closely with the community it serves, (and in particular the not insignificant number of residents who have an abiding interest in our heritage and history) --- it is suggested there are a number of important ingredients to the ultimate success of this heritage advisory committee. These are the need for those elected from the community to understand their work is limited to heritage issues only and that there must be an acceptance by them of the necessary and legal protocols council and its staff must observe. There is also a need for council’s staff to accept the limitations and ambitions of those who volunteer for this committee. These community members need to be given dignity with tasks that allow them to believe they are contributing something worthwhile to the community in which they live, so they may share pride in achievement and not left to feel they just ‘rubber stamp’ the work of staff, without having had any real input into the processes. John Leary, OAM - Past President, Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc. HERITAGE 2 July - August 2011
LOCAL HISTORY BLOG JUST over six months ago Springwood Historians launched a public/social history blog, or weblog. One of the newer forms of ‘engaging and interacting’ with a wider audience, the blog or weblog aims to disseminate and gather historical facts and information related to the Blue Mountains. The content is eclectic and changes regularly as new stories and information are added almost on a daily basis. Some of the content, like the personal profiles of the Springwood Historians, and maps and general information related to the area - remain static, while older posts, which have been archived, can be accessed through the search facility on the weblog. A ‘comment’ feature on the blog provides visitors with the ability to interact, which is something that Springwood Historians are keen to encourage. Another objective is to engage local schools. So far the weblog has been viewed by more than 2,500 visitors from countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Russia, New Zealand and South Korea, and attracted favourable comments from local historians, genealogists and public historian, Cathy Stanton. Pamela Smith, the editor of the blog, stated that although the blog is primarily focused on the Springwood area at present, they are eager to include stories on the wider Blue Mountains. The address of the weblog is http:// springwoodhistorians.blogspot or simply type Springwood Historians into the Google Search engine. Grant awarded to BMACHO FOR THE FOURTH YEAR in succession, BMACHO has been awarded a Commonwealth Government grant of $2,300 by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities under its 2010 - 2011 GVEHO Program. The program is intended to help cover administrative operational costs. BMACHO is most appreciative of this continued generous Commonwealth support. It is both recognition of the value of BMACHO to the heritage community and a practical contribution that makes the organisation’s work possible. The GVEHO grant is invaluable in helping to meet the routine administrative costs of the Association. It has also supported workshops, the newsletter and other activities and allows the committee to concentrate on finding funding from other sources for special projects such as the Journal and major workshops. Overall, BMACHO has a sound record (80%) of success in its grant applications. This year it has applied for two new project grants that would enable it to serve its membership more effectively and to contribute even more to heritage work in the region. Grant applications require time and care in their preparation and, if successful, in the responsible management of the funds received. There are, however, some useful tips on how to minimise the workload and increase the chances of success. A workshop is being planned to assist members in the grant programs for their own societies. Anybody interested in participating in the workshop, is asked to contact Barrie Reynolds by phone: 4757 4725, or by email: barrie.r@bigpond.net.au. Professor Barrie Reynolds, BMACHO’s grants officer and former inaugural secretary TELSTRA GRANT FOR WORKSHOPS MEANTIME, advice has just been received of BMACHO’s success with another grant application Telstra has generously awarded a grant of $5,025 under its Telstra Connected Seniors Grant Program, to enable BMACHO to provide a series of training workshops on the use of the internet for on-line historical research and information services in the heritage field. Anybody interested please contact Barrie Reynolds: barrie.r@bigpond.net.au or 4757 4725. Telstra Connected Seniors® is a tailored program created to help older Australians learn more about technology. It offers individual self teach guides, fun interactive workshops, and also offers eligible community groups with the opportunity of funding to run successful training courses around technology. It is anticipated these workshops will be conducted between February and May 2012. HERITAGE 3 July - August 2011
Page 1: HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOU
Page 5 and 6: EVANS OPENED THE WAY TO THE WEST By
Page 7 and 8: Evans’ alleged bribery involvemen
Page 9 and 10: What would you keep in an empty jar
Page 11 and 12: Dear Old Golden Rule Days EDUCATION
Page 13 and 14: Crumbled chimney stack only reminde
Page 15 and 16: SPECIAL DAYS CELEBRATED IN THE BLUE
Page 17 and 18: School of Arts or Mechanics Institu
Page 19 and 20: Heritage is only one component of a
Page 21: The Domesday Book THE DOMESDAY BOOK

Newsletter No. 16 - Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage ...

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