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

“I doff my cap to John Low, OAM”President of the Blue MountainsHistorical Society, GrahamWarmbath writes, “I doff my cap toJohn Low, OAM”“As a boy in war time Britain,chortling over Sir David Lowcartoons of Hitler and Musollini, ifsomeone had told me that one day Ishould meet a relative, how could Ihave believed that? Yet it’shappened.“If Sir David ‘damaged Anglo-German relations’, John hascharmed us all from his ‘head full ofsecrets’.“Did I really think that the soldiers ofthe 4 th King’s Own Regiment of Footwould lead as harsh a life as thoseof the convicts? I could go on!“John Low is a prominent memberof Blue Mountains Historical Societyand of its management committee,taking responsibility for a programof ‘walks and talks’ which hasattracted a community and grownmembership of the society.“Formerly, John was BlueMountains City Council’s localstudies librarian, based atSpringwood library. I first met Johnthere, a genial mercurial figure withwhom I felt at ease.“Fast forward to Monday June, 11last: The Sydney Morning Heraldpublishes the Queen’s BirthdayHonours List 2012… John CarlisleLow has been awarded the Order ofAustralia Medal ‘for service to theBlue Mountains as a historian,author and librarian’… news thatmelted all composure.“Well done, friend. Hurrah from theBlue Mountains Historical Society.”--- Graham WarmbathEncyclopaedic knowledgeVice president of the BlueMountains Historical Society JudyBaham writes: “As a comparativenewcomer to the Mountains, I havealways found John’s encyclopaedicknowledge of the area inspiring.“Little snippets of information givenfreely come at most unexpectedtimes.“I enjoy the lectures he gives. Theyare often on obscure events of localhistory which he turns into anabsorbing tale.“As Blue Mountains HistoricalSociety’s librarian, I can always turnto John for advice andrecommendations for new booksand know that what he says issound advice.“I can never hope to acquire hisknowledge of Blue Mountainsauthors and their works.”--- Judy BarhamJohn Low on the verandah of “Braemar”, Springwood 1987, a buildingin which he spent considerable time as a local studies librarian.Photograph Blue Mountains City Library collection.John’s train tripsto foster localhistoryFormer president Blue MountainsHistoical Society and currenteditor Blue Mountains HistoryJournal Dr Peter Rickwoodwrites: “It is pleasing that thecontributions of the pre-eminenthistorian in the Blue Mountainshave at last been recognised withthe award of an OAM.“One aspect of John’s activitiesthat has not been covered byothers is his willingness to travelin the interest of fostering localhistory.“For some years John madeweekly train journeys from Leurato North Sydney to work as avolunteer at the Don BankMuseum.“But although that is his usualmode of transport he is notrestricted to the rail corridor asone of his passions is forwalking.“Thus he has been known toattend ceremonies etc. all overthe Blue Mountains irrespectiveof their location and theprevailing weather conditions,and his presence is alwaysappreciated.“Congratulations John.”--- Peter Rickwood.A man unstintingof his timePresident of BMACHO and cofounderSpringwood Historians,Pamela Smith writes: “Johndeserves the award for all the hardwork and dedication he put intobuilding up the local studiescollection from virtually nothing to avery valuable asset of BMCC.“He was always unstinting in thetime he gave to local schools,service organisations and peoplethat frequented local studies(including myself) and as a resultJohn has gained wide recognitionand respect from all thosewith whom he came into contact.”--- Pamela SmithHERITAGE 6July - August 2012