The Federation of Australian Historical Societies History and Heritage News from around Dec 2017 No. 44 Newsletter

Contents Collaboration and Participation • Editor’s Introduction...... 1 In this issue we highlight the Heart, Bonnets Project) • From the President...... 2 collaboration and community and the memorial project • , Roses from the Heart participation as important ( Memorial Project...... 3-5 factors in running an historical Precinct Memory Project). John • The History Trust of South society or community heritage Petersen writes about partnering Australia...... 6-8 group. with performance artists for • GLAM Peak...... 8-9 community heritage activation • Parramatta Female Factory Precinct Memory Project...... 10-11 Collaboration (with artists, and Gionni Di Gravio on building • Yarra Ranges Council...... 12-14 universities, GLAM organisations, digital programs. Other writers Historical Society of the etc) helps to develop new reflect on tourism development Northern Territory...... 15 networks and activate local and new workshop models for • Royal Historical Society of Western interest in history. Such the community history sector. Australia...... 16-17 collaborations are also critical in • University of Newcastle’s Cultural obtaining support and ensuring For 2018, check out the GLAM Collections...... 18-19 that your work is recognised and Peak workshops for training and • Royal Historical Society of rewarded. support in making your cultural Queensland...... 20-21 heritage and history collections • Monash University, History Some of the collaborative readily available online. Read Education...... 22-23 ventures featured in this more on pages 8-9). issue are: joint exhibitions (Botanical Wonderland in WA) an international tribute Dr Bernadette Flynn, Editor (Christina Henri’s Roses from FAHS Outreach Officer

The Federation of Australian Historical Societies is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s Community Heritage and Icons Grants program via the ACT Government.

1 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 From the President

3D VISUALISATION OF THE FEMALE FACTORY: Parragirls, Past, Present, Collaboration between ParraGirls and National Institute for the Experimental Arts, UNSW

Collaboration and participation across Australia. I am always Many societies are now using are the themes of this edition impressed, and sometimes well-designed websites to of the FAHS Newsletter. The surprised, by the many publicise their work and articles provide examples from innovative and inventive forms advertise their activities, such as each state and territory that that our volunteers devise to the Cairns Historical Society, but demonstrate in a range of ways disseminate their work. others have gone deeper into how members of community the use of social media, notably organisations are working In this Newsletter you will find, the Mortlake & District Historical admirably together to promote for example: bringing people Society which operates largely their local history and heritage. together to undertake challenge through its Facebook page which As the editor has written, these activities rather than the usual has thousands of followers from forms of collaboration help conference talks; broadening around the world. develop new networks and awareness of suffering of activate local interest in history. women and children through In a fine example of collaboration They are also critical in obtaining establishing a Site of Conscience; and networking, last October support and ensuring that dance as a creative way to the Queenscliffe Historical the society is recognised and portray history; a collective Museum, the Queenscliffe rewarded. activity focussed on Australian Maritime Museum and the botany; and the creation of an Fort Queenscliffe Museum However, reading these historically themed Christmas jointly held a ‘week of stories’ decoration. in and around the Borough of articles also brought to Queenscliffe – a mixture of film, my mind two other terms But there are so many other concert, talks, walks, tours and a inventive ways to spread our book launch. that may not generally work. One of my favourites is be associated among the the stubby holders sold by the All these help to demonstrate wider community with Broken Hill Historical Society that working with history can featuring images of heritage be creative and fun, as well as the work of historical structures including the former contributing to the intellectual societies - innovative and synagogue which they occupy. depth of the community and Recently I came across a double the popularity of our cultural inventive. CD produced by the Bendigo heritage. Historical Society of Songs of As FAHS President I am very the Anzacs. I understand that privileged to be able to observe, members of the society did the Associate Professor Don Garden both from afar and by visits, the singing. FAHS President activities of historical societies

2 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Tasmania, Roses from the Heart Memorial Project

CHRISTINA HENRI : Presenting bonnet Dr. Christina Henri, tribute for Mary Walsh Honorary Artist-in-Residence, to Dame Quentin Bryce. Cascades Female Factory Historic Site

In 2003 I undertook a ‘Historical children died within female Landscape’ subject as part of my factories or orphan schools. UTAS Fine Arts Degree. Included within this module was a visit In 2007 I commenced my Roses to the Cascades Female Factory from the Heart memorial. This Historic Site. Unaware of the project uses a cloth bonnet site’s existence I was astounded metaphor to give meaning to to learn of a history pivotal to the lives of the 25,566 women Australia’s successful social and to Australia and to economic growth, a history of value the contribution made convict women transported to the growth of the emerging along with some of their children Australian nation by these Roses from the Heart has been to provide free domestic labour women and their children. As extraordinarily successful to a newly acquired colony. with the colonial christening in building an international bonnet, both bonnet templates community engaged with the Subsequent to my initial visit circa 1860, were sourced from experience of women convicts. I returned to the CFFHS to the Narryna Heritage Museum raise the idea of using my art costume collection. I specifically My art offers community as a means of highlighting chose a colonial servant’s bonnet custodianship of its history. Australia’s female convict with a brim, similar to those History as experienced, not story and boosting the site’s worn in Ireland by women in just observed. Each cloth profile. This conversation lead the Kilmainham Gaol awaiting bonnet involves approximately to my becoming the site’s transportation. eight hours in cutting out and honorary artist-in-residence. This partnership evolved into a twelve-year association (2003 - A BONNET FOR MARY 2015). My relationship continues WALSH: transported through membership of the to Van Diemen’s Land aboard the Hope Cascade Community Advisory from Ireland in 1841 Committee (CCAC).

In 2003 I choose to use cloth bonnets as symbolism. I first focused on the babies born to convict women who did not survive the rigours of the System. I used a simple colonial christening bonnet as the template for my Departures and Arrivals project that involved women across Australia and New Zealand sewing a precious, yet unadorned, token of remembrance. This art project offered a means of understanding, giving closure to families whose ancestors

3 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Tasmania, Roses from the Heart Memorial Project

sewing, eight hours in stitching a name, the ship and year of transportation and embellishing plus, often, scores of hours researching the woman being memorialised, whether she is an ancestor or a chosen lass identified from a ship’s indent. The process of making a bonnet can be meditative and cathartic. The broader project connects individuals and craftspeople and builds community well-being. To KILMAINHAM GAOL date I have received over 25,000 2013: Swept Under the bonnet tributes. Carpet 2000 bonnets, Photo, Christina Henri My art values places that are central to the experience of female convicts such as ‘Roses from the Heart has been ’s Cascades Female Factory, Tasmania; the Ross extraordinarily successful in building an Female Factory; George Town international community engaged with the FF (through the Watch House Museum); Parramatta Female experience of women convicts.’ Factory, New South Wales; Grangegorman, and Kilmainham 2000 bonnets, Swept Under Government officials, RTE Gaols, Dublin, Ireland; Wicklow the Carpet displayed in the Nationwide crew, print media. Gaol, Wicklow, Ireland; the Cobh Kilmainham Gaol, where over Visitors travelled from Australia Quayside (Cobh Heritage Centre), 6000 convicts were held awaiting to participate and honour their County Cork, Ireland and the transportation, was viewed by ancestors. Down County Gaol, Downpatrick, more than 10,000 visitors. NI. In March this year I held a The media exposure was major event at Grangegorman. significant publicising a story My work activates heritage Bonnets were worn by the public rarely given airplay within Ireland site/s through my community remembering the 3,216 women and NI. RTE Nationwide filmed memorial projects which focus and their 506 children confined their second documentary on my on creating a memorial from a within this, the first ever female Roses from the Heart memorial uniform component. depot built within the British work. These documentaries have Isles. The concept followed on been viewed by over a million Since 2010 I have visited Ireland from Quaker Elizabeth Fry’s households. and the UK annually working social reform ideas of prison hard to forge a relationship segregation with female staff In 2010 I organised a Blessing recognising the mutual managing female inmates. of the Bonnets in the Cork City colonial history that links both Gaol and also at the Cobh wharf, countries. My events have Event attendees included the one of the two Irish ports from assisted in raising awareness of 2017 Lord Mayor of Dublin, which colonial ships of transport convict women, especially Irish Brendan Carr, the Australian departed. Since then there has transportation to Australia. Ambassador to Ireland HE been a Blessing of the Bonnets Richards Andrews, officials from ceremony held annually in In the Republic of Ireland I Dublin Arts, Grangegorman DIT, Cobh. The event is now a major have successfully held events, Grangegorman Development feature of the displays and exhibitions and Agency, Irish Prison Service celebration, coinciding with the Swept Under the Carpet a 2000 staff, Quakers, Quaker Schools Sea Princess cruise ship carrying bonnet exhibition, given talks in staff and students, busloads 1500 Australians and 300 New Mayo, Galway, Cork, Waterford, of attendees from NI, staff and Zealanders on a world cruise. Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin. students from numerous schools within Dublin and surrounds, This year HE Richard Andrews In 2013 my exhibition of Irish sculptor Ronan Gillespie, took part along with Cobh

4 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Tasmania, Roses from the Heart Memorial Project

LORD MAYOR OF HOBART, THE HON. SUE HICKEY: Welcoming visitors from across Australia and the UK. Photo, Josh McDonald

Wear a Bonnet - Living Art Installation, Hunter Street, Hobart wharf, close to where the convict women and their children stepped ashore.

Tourism, the Cobh Heritage students and communities in my female convicts. Centre and members of the Cobh projects. I am presently planning Animation Team who since 2010 a major event at Dun Laoghaire, Bonnets are still welcome as have added a wonderful visual the second Irish departure site part of my Roses from the Heart appeal to the event. for colonial ships of transport, Memorial and mens shirts for my previously named Kingstown Cherish the Children project http://www.visitcobh.com/index. between 1821-1920. php/2017/06/10/australia-day- Dr. Christina Henri in-cobh-2017/ My art with its global Hon Artist-in-Residence, participation continues to lift the Cascades Female Factory Historic A permanent bonnet exhibition veil of amnesia that for decades Site, Tasmania is displayed at the Cobh Museum obscured mention of Australia’s and visitors are invited to leave bonnet tributes in a specially provided wooden boat.

In March this year I was the invited guest speaker for the 1848 Tri-colour celebrations in Waterford. Bonnet tributes created within Waterford remembering Waterford convict women were displayed at this event and remain on show across the county. My plan is to install a permanent installation of these bonnets in Waterford in 2018.

My aim is to continue to forge cultural tourism links. Each year I visit schools and include

5 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 The History Trust of South Australia

Making History: The Peterborough Project

In October 2016, 50 people we wanted to make sure that took part in Making History: The participants understood what Peterborough Project. they were coming to share. But it was hard to know what we This event was run by the should call it – especially when History Trust of South Australia, we were still working on the and brought together people structure when we began the from the community history promotion for the event… So we network for a weekend of stuck with calling it a ‘weekend’ Peterborough welcome sign intensive workshop activity in or an ‘experience’. Peterborough, a town in South Australia’s mid-north, about Participants were invited to join three hours from Adelaide. us on Friday early afternoon, and were required to commit to The History Trust has previously both Friday and Saturday, with run the State History Conference optional activities on Sunday. On biennially in regional South Friday afternoon, we set about Australia, but the regional exploring Peterborough. We conference model was proving divided into groups, and set out difficult to make viable, and so on a scavenger hunt, designed Audio recordings for the walking tour we thought we’d try something to take people around the town, a little different – a project and encourage them to get a based weekend ‘sprint’ format. feeling for the history of the The sprints were based around place. It was also designed to be seven ‘challenge activities’, fun, and give group members and the topics were devised in a chance to get to know each collaboration with the volunteers other. at the Peterborough Museum. After a cup of tea in the The challenge activities were: afternoon, we had a presentation creating a digital historical image by a local historian, to give us Interpretation Planning Group slider, developing a walking tour some deeper understanding of app, getting collections online, the region, and then we then developing a memory box for moved into the main business reminiscence, developing a new for the weekend. Our group ‘We thought we’d try exhibition, creating a school facilitators were each invited to something a little different visit program and creating pitch their ‘Challenge Activity’. – a project based weekend family-friendly activities. Our They were given a couple of goal was to work intensively minutes each to tell people why ‘sprint’ format ....based in small groups over two days they should join their group. around seven challenge in the hope of devising some We formed our groups, and practical solutions for the issues immediately began work on the activities’ identified. task at hand – we had two hours to make our plans and start work We were all barred from before dinner. using the C- word to describe the weekend. This was most For the very keen beans, there definitely NOT a conference, and was an early morning history

6 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 The History Trust of South Australia walk on Saturday, followed by a hearty BBQ breakfast to fuel us for the day ahead. We then took some inspiration from a series of 5 minute SPARK talks from participants – people who had a great idea to share. Ten short, sharp, shiny nuggets of gold!

After morning tea, we went back into our groups for another couple of hours work on our challenge activities. Group facilitators were tasked with ensuring that at the end of this session, all teams would be ready to present back to the whole group after lunch.

In a period of just under 24 hours, each group had posed a problem and worked towards a solution. We used the various museums and historical attractions in Peterborough as our canvas, and we’d come Reminiscence group in action at the up with some creative and practical solutions. We ensured aged care home, Peterborough that there was a Peterborough local in each group, so we were new by the end of Saturday. guide to be shared with the not flying blind. Given the time Following afternoon tea and other participants following the constraints, we knew that we group presentations, the main weekend was perhaps a step too were not going to be able to part of the program ended, far in the time that was allowed. offer polished finished products, only 28 hours after it began. On However, a follow-up trip to but that was not the intention. Sunday morning, those of us Peterborough allowed us to pass Instead, we wanted to use the who stayed on were treated to on the resources and to establish collective knowledge within a tour of one of two historical that the weekend had left some the group to find new ways of sites some distance out of town ideas that would be useful tackling problems that were – another chance to learn about Peterborough Historical Society. common to all of us working in the history of the region, and the community history sector. to share our thoughts about We have just presented the State interpretation and preservation. History Conference in Adelaide We wanted to strengthen the earlier this month – in our usual bonds between people working In preparing for the weekend, conference format – so our with different community we were mindful that there minds are now turning again to museums, and to discover was a potential danger that our a regional location, and we are new ways of working. This was groups might reflect critically on beginning our planning for next deliberately a ‘quick and dirty’ the work that had been done by year’s ‘event’, when we hope to approach; it was designed to the volunteers in Peterborough. again excite and inspire people try out some different ideas. It We worked hard to ensure with a weekend of hand-on was hoped that there would be that all our facilitators were activity, and some fun. skills development for all the sensitive to this. However, the participants, as well as perhaps spirit of event was embraced some useful ideas generated for by all – locals and visitors alike, Allison Russell, the Peterborough community. and offense was neither given Director, History Festival, With no firm ideas about final nor taken. With hindsight, our Centre of Democracy and products, each group had goal of asking each group to Community Programs, succeeded in creating something turn their work into a ‘how to’ History Trust of SA

7 7 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 3 GLAM Peak Wendy Quihampton outlines the GLAM Peak Digital Access to Collections Initiatives

http://www.digitalcollections.org.au/ ‘The end game of the Digital Access to Collections project is to help make Australia’s diverse arts and cultural heritage collections readily available online’

Providing digital access to the toolkit, supported by case it’s needed, the workshops aim collection items and objects studies, was also developed to to assist, motivate, and guide hidden in all cultural and support capacity building in the organisations to getting started collecting organisations is a key sector, particularly for smaller or pushing them further along to aim of GLAM Peak. GLAM Peak organisations that have limited the path to digital access. is the peak representative body resources. of galleries, libraries, archives, So, who should go? The two-day museums and historical societies To push further forwards, workshops will be delivered in sectors in Australia, working additional funding from the regional centres across Australia, together to achieve common Catalyst Fund was sought in targeting non-metro collecting goals. Digital access unlocks a 2017. Together with substantial organisations to increase their wealth of inspiration, knowledge support and in-kind funding confidence and knowledge of and secrets to all, from the by GLAM Peak bodies and digitisation and digital access. creatives seeking a new muse, technology partners, this has to teachers and researchers ensured the GLAM Peak Digital discovering new sources and Access to Collections initiative stories, to families exploring can continue through 2017 their own histories – to everyone -2018. The next steps in the from the comfort of their own Digital Access to Collections lounge room, study, workplace project are spreading the word or classroom. and engaging with institutions across all jurisdictions about GLAM Peak commenced the providing digital access to work to progress digital access collections. to collections nationally, with funding received in May 2016 Ten workshops will be delivered from the Commonwealth in regional centres. We are going government through the regional to acknowledge the Catalyst Arts and Culture Fund. challenges in regional Australia The initiative delivered a draft of smaller cultural organisations national framework that details - limited recourse to advice and principles and strategies to expertise, lack of resources, and achieve digital access to the limited or no funding. rich and diverse collections content in Australia. A prototype In taking the training, advice and specialist expertise to where 8 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 GLAM Peak The workshops are aimed at the staff and volunteers in collecting organisations or bodies, including historical societies, galleries, libraries, archives, museums, Returned Service Leagues, sporting clubs, Indigenous keeping places, and community groups.

The workshops will provide an abundance of information about how organisations can plan and work towards digitising their collections. The workshops are aimed at the staff and volunteers in collecting organisations or bodies, including historical societies, to make galleries, ‘We are going regional to acknowledge the libraries, archives, museums, Returned Service Leagues, challenges in regional Australia of smaller sporting clubs, then available cultural organisations - limited recourse to online, as well as addressing the issues many see as barriers. advice and expertise, lack of resources, and Participants will gain a clear limited or no funding’ understanding of how to manage copyright, permissions, Participants will also meet to encourage them to engage privacy, cultural sensitivities and work with other cultural a broader audience than their and security, as well as what organisations in their area, physical presence can ever equipment is needed and the having the chance to swap ideas, hope to attract. GLAM Peak different technology options examine and discuss common is repositioning the small available – to make digital access issues, and identify possible to medium organisations – a feasible proposition no matter solutions or collaborations acknowledging the significance what size their organisation may while considering their own and usefulness of their be. A main aim of the training organisation’s needs. In addition, collections and seeking to is to take the complexity out of local case studies will provide ensure their collection items are digital access, to make it readily insight into different approaches available online for all to use. achievable by the smallest to digitisation and digital access organisation. as well as local sources of advice. The second stage of the GLAM Peak Digital Access to Collections Each workshop will be supported The end game of the Digital project is now getting well by GLAM Peak’s Technology Access to Collections project is underway, with the first two partners, including collection to help make Australia’s diverse workshops held in Hobart and management system providers, arts and cultural heritage Albury, in November 2017. digitising specialists, web collections readily available The other workshops will be aggregators and online sharing online, with the aim that anyone conducted in February through platforms, who will share their and everyone will have access to May 2018. expert advice both formally (while understanding that some and informally across the sensitivities and restrictions Keep a watch on the Digital two-day workshops. Grants will apply). This initiative aims Access to Collections website. are also available to help the to share the kudos currently http://www.digitalcollections. participants – to get there or held by larger institutions with org.au/ get started. Financial assistance the smaller organisations – can help meet the costs of historical societies, sporting accommodation or travel, or and community clubs, and Wendy Quihampton purchase the camera, scanner Indigenous keeping places – Project Manager, Digital Access or lighting equipment an to open the world up to the to Collections, Museums organisation may need. value within their collections, Australia, ACT

9 7 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Parramatta Female Factory Precinct Memory Project

BONNEY DJURIC: tracing scratchings, Bonney Djuric Parramatta Girls presents the creative Home, 2012 collaborations and multiple histories of the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct. Photo Lily Hibberd, courtesy PFFP Memory Project. The PFFP Memory Project aims to broaden awareness about the institutionalisation of women and children in Australia and to activate this historic precinct as Australia’s first Site of Conscience.

Situated in Fleet Street North Then in 2004, the Forgotten The PFFP Memory Project Parramatta, the Parramatta Australians Report1 was handed provides opportunities for Female Factory Precinct is the down. The Report found that Careleavers to re-interpret location of two of Australia’s ‘upwards of, and possibly their experiences and to earliest institutions for women more than 500,000 Australians articulate their own memories and children, namely the Female experienced care in an and perspectives in the face Factory and the adjacent Roman orphanage, Home or other form of pervasive public silencing, Catholic Orphan School. Both of out-of-home care during the deliberate forgetting and institutions were re-purposed last century’. Careleavers showed apathy. This coupled with the over time with the Female immense courage in putting threat of development from Factory assigned as a Lunatic intensely personal life stories on the Parramatta North Urban Asylum in 1847 and the Orphan the public record. They spoke Transformation program, School as the Parramatta Girls of neglect, humiliation and together with the favouring Industrial School in 1887. deprivation of food, education of convict history over that of and healthcare. Such abuse and children’s ‘welfare’ history has Popularly known for its convict assault was widespread across given a sense of urgency to heritage the Parramatta Female institutions, across States and the Memory Project to actively Factory Precinct institutional across the government, religious subvert forgetting and neglect heritage dates back to 1821 and other care providers. through living memory. with the Female Factory, but its history extends to millennia for The dam of silence had broken The Memory Project brings the Darug people. and with it came questions together artists, historians, that needed answers and academics and Careleavers in a It is a complex site with multiple given the age of Careleavers, justice-centred and collaborative histories and has yet to be a sense of urgency to set the approach to creative practice recognised as the cradle of record straight. It was these that empowers otherwise interventionist child welfare in circumstances that Parragirls isolated, disadvantaged and Australia where the first forced support network and contact often disabled individuals removal of children from their register was established in 2006. as creative authors in the convict mothers was enforced. Building on this foundation, production of nationally and By the turn of the 20th Century, Parramatta Female Factory internationally recognised this interventionist practice Precinct (PFFP) Memory Project artworks and culture. was foundational in the forced was launched in 2012 with the removal of Aboriginal children. A aim to broaden awareness about In this way it recognises the century later the Bringing Them the institutionalisation of women capacity of former residents Home Report (1997) laid bare the and children in Australia and to to provide expertise from extent of this genocidal practice activate this historic precinct as their intimate experience on Australia’s Indigenous people. Australia’s first Site of Conscience. of welfare institutions, in 1014 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Parramatta Female Factory Precinct Memory Project

and members of the Stolen Generations’ in the production of songs that articulated their experiences and the legacy of institutional intervention.

More recently, the immersive 3D cinema, VR work, Parragirls, Past, Present was one of four new LIVING TRACES media works produced for the WORKSHOP: 2016. Big Anxiety Festival in a unique

Photo Lucy Parakhina, courtesy PFFP Memory Project. partnership with Parragirls and media artists from the National Institute of Experimental Arts (NIEA). particular, for ethical heritage Harrison and Sue Anderson, interpretation, welfare services, these marks were incorporated Into the future the Memory community engagement and onto collagraphic plates then Project will continue to in more complex and rich ways layered with texts and references explore ground-breaking of including marginalized from ‘official’ records to challenge ways of representing difficult institutional memories in the the veracity of official history experiences, particularly annals of public history. This and records generated by state those arising from trauma and is in part because they bring agencies. Now referenced marginalisation as a result of the subject matter of injustices in Setting the Record Straight family separation and childhood into a contemporary context for the Rights of the Child1 institutionalisation. not just as art objects but as an exemplary model of as democratic spaces where collaboration and participation Bonney Djuric OAM conversations about the in record keeping and archiving, Parramatta Female Factory relationships between past, Living Traces has recently been Precinct Memory Project present and future can open showcased at the Centre for the possibilities of new insights, Information Research (CIRN) 1. Forgotten Australians, Community perspectives and responses conference, Prato, Italy.2 Affairs References Committee, Australian about the contemporary Parliament, Canberra, August 2004. 2. Setting the Record Straight for the Rights legacies of institutionalisation This year the Memory Project of the Child. Centre for Organisational in Australia. This new thinking has produced two creative and Social Informatics Faculty of IT, is particularly important in the developments with the first, Long Monash University funded by the Austra- context of institutional and Time Coming Home bringing lian Research Council. post-institutional care and the together Aboriginal Parragirls, 3. Centre for Information Research current Royal Commission into the Darug community (CIRN) conference, Prato, Italy, 25 – 27 Institutional Responses to Child October 2017. Sexual Abuse. Parragirls at preview of Parragirls, Past, In the creative collaboration, Present, EPICentre, Living Traces, former residents UNSW, Paddington. of the Parramatta Girls Home explored the tactile memory embedded in graffiti found at the site. For them the embodied memory of these ‘marks’ represent an act of resistance to 1 Setting the Record Straight for the Rights the institutional regime where of the Child. Centre for Organisational they had no rights whatsoever and Social Informatics Faculty of IT, (property, bodily or otherwise) Monash University funded by the Austra- and connects them with every lian Research Council. single person who passed through the institution. Guided 2 Centre for Information Research (CIRN) conference, Prato, Italy, 25 – 27 by artist printmakers, Gwen Photo: Catherine McElthorne, courtesy PFFP Memory Project. October 2017. 11 The FAHS Newsletter |DEC 2017 | No 44 Yarra Ranges Council

MELBOURNE ATHENAEUM THE VOICES OF THE ARCHIVES: With Volunteers ELDERS: Listening to This during a visit from Victorian is where it happened: a John Petersen Collections. dance down memory lane, reports on his role as Community Heritage Officer

Yarra Ranges Council is a partnerships with regional building and planning. The result of the 1994 Kennett museums and galleries and their Heritage Network is also a useful era amalgamation of Lilydale, local council. partnership for the Council and Sherbrooke, Upper Yarra keeps me informed about what and Healesville shires. A The scope of the Memorandum is going on in the shire - heritage little over one hour by road of Understanding includes: places under threat, or poorly from the former Melbourne • Support, training and maintained, and ones not subject General Post Office, as Council advice; to a heritage overlay. The wealth boundaries change, the areas • Meeting, work, storage of historical information held retain distinctive histories and and display space; by the shire’s historical society community identities. • Recognition and collections, research files and promotion; and membership is immeasurable I work as a Community Heritage • Building the Council and and is assisting the Council in Officer in an arts and heritage Group relationship. everything from family history department called Creative research to town planning. Communities, a naming trend Groups operating in a Council that mirrors that of state facility enter into a written Recently Creative Communities governments’ Creative Victoria agreement and need to consulted the Heritage Network and Create NSW. My role is not demonstrate an ongoing on a RidgeWalk thematic study within town planning or heritage commitment to improving their by NSW-based historians Dr approval teams. I am situated in practice and processes. This can Bronwyn Hanna with Dr Judy a team responsible for cultural sound ominous for historical Denby who are researching development, festivals and societies that keep the flame influential Australian artists events and art in public places. alive and continue the legacy of in an area known to flatland The Council also operates a decades of volunteer activities, dwelling Melbournians as ‘the regional museum and the shire’s family history and rigorous hills’. RidgeWalk is a Federally passion for its Dame Nellie Melba historical research. What’s to funded 26km walking track and collection rivals Melbourne’s for improve? artists’ trail and open air gallery Phar Lap. proposed for the Dandenong The Community Heritage Ranges. The historic artists were The Council supports a Heritage Officer works as an honest inspired by the Dandenong Network of 16 volunteer run broker - representing, and to the Ranges cultural landscape of historical societies and museums extent it is possible, advocating ‘beauty spots’, soaring mountain created under a Memorandum for the historical societies to ash trees and ferns, bird life and of Understanding. A similar the Council and raising and biodiverse natural and aesthetic model operates in many NSW monitoring heritage issues of values and indigenous history. local government areas to concern to the Network. This They also viewed the hills from bring volunteer run museums typically means locating teams paddocks on the outskirts of and historical societies managing heritage places - the city and at lookouts looked in collaborative working bushland and recreation, or out from the hills to distant

12 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Yarra Ranges Council townships. The hills was an artists journey into both a real and imagined world. My role includes helping historical societies to make the pitch for Community Grants and maximise their opportunities - $390,000 was allocated in 2017/18 to deliver projects that develop, explore and express Yarra Ranges diverse cultural heritage, creative practice and foster opportunities for community to experience and participate.

Historical societies in Yarra Ranges compete with arts and cultural projects, including ones This is where it happened: a dance down memory creating new works of art, from lane includes the people, places and associated the same funding pool. This can be a source of frustration for the memories, by weaving a narrative through the Heritage Network. A key part voices of elders in the local community, with of my role is to advise historical societies to think and work contemporary dance-theatre. regionally, to support community participation in heritage and Are history and heritage Where arts and cultural to promote public history that organisations consult the Council is visible and accessible. Hard sectors failing to engage about grants for projects with copy publications in small print with younger people historical themes or heritage runs, a worthy and traditional outside of educational components, they are referred legacy of historical society to the historical societies. The research activities, are rarely institutions? Council is seeing a number of funded unless there has been hybrid grant applications. I am community participation, for I have spent much of my excited to see historical societies example, through a substantial career as an historian advising artists in the shire, oral history project, or a more developing projects with sound or promoting history through publicly accessible project methodologies and historic tourism, often without my direct associated with it. rigour even when I ran a virtual involvement. museum and explored new The Council has been consulting media and documentary. I am The Council has only just funded communities across the shire not always comfortable with the Mount Dandenong and for a new ten year cultural the way that complex histories District Historical Society’s plan. While data is still being can be mediated in works of Voices of the Past project. It collated and reviewed, it is clear art, especially ones that allow cleverly combines essential to me that while many of the multiple readings and unclear historical society activities with respondents showed a strong narrative structures. public engagement. It includes interest in arts and heritage, the digitisation of 30 cassette 25-44 age brackets and 45-64 My time at Yarra Ranges Council tape recordings of historical age brackets were less interested has moved me from suspicion to reminiscences from local in ‘connecting with the past’ curiosity. I am newly open to the residents, skills development in than the over 64 year olds. This potential for historical societies digitisation, storing recordings is a concerning statistic for the to partner, as project leaders or on a database and aggregation future. equals, with arts organisations into the Victorian Collections, to mediate histories to broader and in turn, Trove. It includes audiences in more engaging the design of four historical bus ways. tour routes, highlighting historic places in the region illuminated by oral history. 13 11 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 3 Yarra Ranges Council

PERFORMANCE EVENT AT MELBA PARK: This References: is where it happened: a dance down memory RidgeWalk: B. Hanna with J. lane, led by Gülsen Özer Denby, ‘RidgeWalk’: A History of Creative Associations with the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Ranges Council, Draft Report, September 2017 This is where it happened: a dance down memory lane: http://www.gulsenozer.com/ this-is-where-it-happened- lilydale.html. Accessed 1 November 2017 Yarra Ranges Dance Summary, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, 2017 S. Thompson and M. McBain (eds. ) Reminiscences of Life: Notes and Memories of Lilydale Residents Lilydale and District This is where it happened: a AKA Gary Hunter Elder and Historical Society, Volume1, 2003 dance down memory lane is head man (Ngurungaeta) of the S. Thompson and R. Kwijas, a performance event led by Wurundjeri people, Yarra Ranges Reminiscences of Life: Notes and Gülsen Özer, an Australian born Regional Museum and collection Memories of Lilydale Residents, inter-disciplinary performing and The Lilydale Athenaeum Lilydale and District Historical artist and choreographer based Theatre Group. Society, Volume 2, 2012 in Melbourne reflecting on A F Mc Aleer, Lilydale Icon: A Lilydale and Yarra Ranges dance Organisations working in arts history of Lilydale’s Athenaeum history as a theme across time. and culture that tell stories Building, , Lilydale and District It includes the people, places through various art forms benefit Historical Society, Volumes 1-3, and associated memories, by from the research of historical 2015 weaving a narrative through societies to make informed and the voices of elders in the local truthful works of art informed, community, with contemporary underpinned and evidenced by John Petersen, (MPHA, dance-theatre. Site-specific history. MICOMOS), Member of stories connected to people the Professional Historians and place are woven with dance History is challenging, Association of Victoria and scores and choreography. Australia ICOMOS. Performed in the public, but only inspiring and often heard through headphones, it confronting, in includes an historically based John Petersen, completed the animation video of photo particular, where it national GLAM Peak Digital montages to set the scene gives voice to people Access to Collections for Small for dancers to animate live who have not been Organisations strategy and is performances at Melba Park in currently Community Heritage Lilydale. included in mainstream Officer for Yarra Ranges Council, narratives. Victoria and a casual lecturer This work was developed in in ‘Significance’ for Melbourne consultation and collaboration Art in this regard can be rather University’s Master of Art with a number of community like history. It is also incredibly Curatorship course. In NSW, groups and individuals including; accessible and involving. Surely John is Museums Advisor for The Yarra Ranges Council, the two areas can work more Wollongong City Council and Lilydale Probus Club, Lilydale closely. Well-researched history better known for his career Senior Citizens Group, Lilydale & and tangible and intangible leading a virtual museum, the District Historical Society (which heritage can be made accessible NSW Migration Heritage Centre provided historical research, and participatory through at the Powerhouse Museum. images and publications as various media and art forms. source material), Murrundindi, 14 7 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Historical Society of the Northern Territory Collaboration with Heritage

HSNT BOOK LAUNCH: Judy and Colin Beard.

Being small, it can be relatively easy to make connection in LAUNCH OF LIFE IN RA- the Territory between heritage DIO LAND: Parliament and cultural organisations. House, Janie Mason, Isabelle Skinner and It is however still easy to Susan Bandias. become locked into one’s own organisation. Connectivity does membership lists. The Society in government consultative require work for there to be also circulates news to members processes on relevant policy results and connections and of events at the Northern and proposals for government collaboration do not happen Territory Archives Centre and the policy and structural change without effort. Northern Territory Library. and proposals for new museums and heritage site buildings and The Historical Society of The focus of this Society is on construction. It is not uncommon the Northern Territory has publishing our local Territory with our small population, that attempted to make contact with and northern Australia history. representatives to consultation all voluntary and government It is actually the responsibility meetings can be representing organisations concerned in of the authors of our books to more than one heritage or the galleries, archives, libraries arrange launches for their books, cultural organisation – ‘wearing and museums (GLAM) sector in with assistance from the Society more than one hat’. the Territory in 2009 and 2015. as necessary. Thus the Society is With a great deal of effort, the always looking for suitable and All endeavour for any voluntary result was two brochures listing relevant venues with potentially organisation is of course then current contact details new or different community dependant on the strengths and and some half dozen reciprocal audience for the launches. numbers of its members. Like memberships with the Society. many others, this Society does This has settled into regular As well as at our own History have concerns for generational exchange of flyers for events, House, recent books have been change with an ageing cohort newsletters and journal with the launched at: of active participants. Over reciprocal members. • a local restaurant recent years, there has been • Charles Darwin University a significant and successful For the past five years, the • Parliament House effort to increase membership Society has jointly with the • Northern Territory Library numbers. Our strength however Larrakeyah Branch National • International Nurses’ Day at also must lie in maintaining Trust held talks on the last Friday Charles Darwin University’s and continuing to build our of the month (up to ten talks Nursing Museum membership participation and per year) in the heritage listed • the Katherine Museum and our collaboration with other Burnett House. There is a sharing Historical Society interested and committed of technology for the talks and in • Christ Church Cathedral individuals and organisations in set-up and catering for the night the GLAM sector. and the occasional book-stall. The Society also regularly It is also usual to circulate flyers speaks to the Northern Territory Janie Mason, Secretary, Historical for these talks and share news of Government on heritage and arts Society of the Northern Territory other events through each of our policy and makes submissions

15 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Royal Western Australian Historical Society

Botanical Wonderland A Collaborative Exhibition

In keeping with the terms and process the representatives intention of the MoU with the from the WA Museum and then Department of Culture and the State Library visited the the Arts (DCA), the exhibition Society’s Museum and Library project in liaison with the State at our headquarters to become Library of WA and WA Museum acquainted with our selection of began in February 2017 with artefacts for the exhibition. the planning of the exhibition Botanical Wonderland. The Each organisation provided its Grevillea Plate by Helen Creeth, WA opening was on the 10 August own collection items, panel text Museum, H2016.19.1-2 and was held in the ‘Nook’ on the and object labels within the ground floor of the State Library theme. The collection content for six weeks over our West was discussed between all Australian spring. the representatives. However, each organisation wrote and This exhibition explores the edited its own text though many ways in which Western all texts were shared. The WA Australians have responded to Museum provided the display its rich plant life. Wildflowers cabinets and its exhibition team have been collected, pressed, undertook all the necessary sketched and painted on design features, production of The Album of Seaweeds, RWAHS, canvas and china, embroidered, panels and installation. Their MA1985.89 woven and constructed in team was very imaginative fabric. They have decorated all and cooperative in solving the manner of household objects, light level problems and within and been reproduced in print budget. The design was based and electronic formats for on the content of the Album commercial, educational and of Seaweeds that the Society social purposes. Seaweeds have had on display. The exhibition been used as home decorations consisted of an entry statement, and albums of delicate beauty six display cabinets, nine text put together. panels, one wall of artworks and an acknowledgement panel. Seaweed Woven Hat by Hallie Stow, on l Regular planning meetings loan from Shellam Family were held with usually two The Library extended content by representatives from the project providing a digital exploration of team of each organisation one of their botanical albums. present. As part of the planning

16 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Royal Western Australian Historical Society

The project entailed numerous DONKEY ORCHID VASE: meetings and email Handpainted by Charlotte communications between the Lapsley, Western Austra- project teams and within the lian Museum Collections H2016.21 RWAHS to keep the project to the tight time line while inviting the wider membership to be involved with use of their skills. The Society’s museum committee was particularly involved with selection of artefacts and writing object labels. The panel texts went through various versions with our volunteers researching, writing, editing and with great assistance with graphics from the WA Museum exhibition team the result delighted and informed visitors. The Society’s membership was kept informed throughout by our Chair of Council.

Promotion was undertaken by each organization on its own website and through Facebook. The Society provided a speaker for a public evening lecture and also one lunch time floor talk. The Society contacted the media, through local newspapers and PRESSED WILDFLOWERS: Lilian Wooster Greaves, radio. C1929 . State Library of Western Australia. The State Library held an official ACC 6111AD opening and made all the arrangements. Our President, The Hon Robert Nicholson, made the opening speech. It was attended by representatives of the three organisations, the ‘DCA’, members and supporters. During the exhibition the Library acted as host and managed security.

A debriefing meeting with all those involved in the project praised the level of collaboration. The Society had clocked up many volunteer hours while the WA Museum and the State Library had supported their staff time. The short time frame was difficult to manage together with other commitments but it had concentrated all effort to a Sally Anne Hasluck, Royal Western Australian successful outcome. Immediate Past President Historical Society.

17 7 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 University of Newcastle’s Cultural Collections

Community Collaboration & Participation at the University’s Cultural Collections

At every meeting of the Hunter Gone are the days of the one- Living Histories (https:// way street, where single image Visual Index to Subdivision Plans, hunterlivinghistories.com/) our or copy went out from the https://hunterlivinghistories. local regional historical societies archive to a single individual, com/2016/01/14/visual-index/ and heritage groups all have a one off exhibition or book. From common gripe; that they find it 1996, we began digitising (with difficult to attract young people, a borrowed scanner) selected their average age is getting older items from the collections and and older, and they worry that provided to the wider virtual much of their work will be lost, community its documentary if no one can be found to keep it history through high-resolution all going. images free of charge. To date 80,000 images on our UONCC Our University, as regional flickr site have had over 45.7M repository for the Hunter Region, hits since 2007. Our oral has a similar issue; that we history recordings on UONCC Voices in the Hunter, recordings of have so much archival primary Soundcloud, 41.7K hits since coalmining historian Jack Delaney source research material coming 2015, and over 547,000 minutes in that needs to be properly of digitised historic footage looked after and not enough and presentations have been trained professional staff, space watched on our UONCC YouTube or resources to handle it all. channel. But all this is just the We depend on our volunteers tip of a massive iceberg. We who help us immensely to keep have collections of hundreds of everything going. thousands of images that we have not even begun to prepare, The University of Newcastle’s and huge amounts of digitised Cultural Collections, located in film footage ready to upload, the Auchmuty Library, is located not to mention the thousands Margaret Henry Oral History Archive on 160kms north of Sydney, is a of pages of blog posts and Soundscloud recognised NSW State Archives resources. & Records Regional Repository as well as the home to the What we really needed was ‘By making history University’s archives, rare book a cultural heritage ‘army’ of “cool” and attractive to cultural treasures of the Hunter trainees and apprentices to increase interpersonal Region. Our oldest European help us, similar in a way to holdings date from the mid how BHP trained up its young skills, connections and fourteenth century, but the most apprentices and trainees for employability of our young ancient are Aboriginal artefacts, work in the heavy industries. people, we can also provide dating from 6,500 years ago. Instead of training electricians an avenue for the work of Sharing these resources with and fitters, we could train the local history to continue our University’s researchers and future conservators, archivists, or wider communities, whilst at the curators, preparing them for jobs into the future with same time safeguarding them in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, amazing new possibilities.’ physically, has been made much Archives, Museum) sector, as easier with the emergence of the well as being on hand to help Internet. community history groups and

18 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 organisations. So, in 2016/2017 them available to the world. Two an avenue to bring students we established a GLAMx Living oral history workshops were through Work Integrated Histories Digitisation Lab to also conducted in Muswellbrook Learning (WIL) programmes bring young students through Library and Cessnock Library. across all faculties and disciplines work integrated learning To find out more go to www. to work through community placements (WIL) to work with coalandcommunity.com/ projects. These projects are our collections, volunteers and oralhistory. formulated through the Hunter community partners. Living Histories (formerly Thanks to the generosity of Coal River Working Party) a It is through this collaboration Vera Deacon, (https://uoncc. community forum consisting of with community that some wordpress.com/vera-deacon- historical society representatives, exciting possibilities have fund/) a local pensioner and heritage professionals, historians, been emerging. For instance, Stockton resident, also librarian academics and students, with during the 2015 Christmas for the Stockton Historical the University providing the break a community member Society, another oral history infrastructure to enable the mapped hundreds of our online treasure trove, The Margaret training across the professions. subdivision plans, in so doing Henry Oral History Archive created a visual index, so we consisting of over 209 hours of So, hopefully, we have a model didn’t need to enter a search recordings conducted during here to allay our fears, attracting term, just click on the shaded the 1980s across the wider young people to history, areas of the map to go directly to community was also digitised. and placing them in contact the digitised scans. The gaps in https://uoncc.wordpress. with 50,000 years of human the map are plans probably held com/2015/11/10/margaret- expression across time, in all its in other institutions, illustrating henry-oral-history-archive-2/ forms and formats. By making the need for them to get their history “cool” and attractive to material freely available online In 2016 a new digital platform increase interpersonal skills, and accessible. was established, Living Histories connections and employability @ UON to bring all our digitised of our young people, we can also In 2016 the Voices in the Hunter content under the one roof. provide an avenue for the work Project was launched consisting This new platform not only of local history to continue into of over 800 tracks digitised from allowed us to re-absorb all our the future with amazing new over 500 audio tapes recorded online content, with community possibilities. by coalmining historian Jack comment, but also enabled Delaney from the 1970s-1990s. community groups to have These were the “unfinished a portal into our platform. Gionni Di Gravio, business” arising from his The GLAMx Living Histories University Archivist, landmark work, A History of Digitisation Lab helps create University of Newcastle the Greta Coal Measures (1998) (http://www.coalandcommunity. CONCEPT DESIGN com/preamble.php) A team GLAMx: Living Histories from Cultural Collections worked Digitisation Lab (2017) closely with Jack’s family, the Coalfields Heritage Group at Kurri Kurri, who held an original copy of the tapes, with funding from the Coal & Allied Community Development Fund to digitise Jack’s cassette tapes and make

19 7 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 3 Royal Historical Society of Queensland

CAPTION: sumquunt adi aut aut atis quiscia pro ini- mos que di dus conecuptas as maximo que n quiscia pro inimos que di dus que

Artist’s Impression of the Queen’s Wharf development precinct Destination Brisbane Consortium (image Destination Brisbane Consortium)

The Royal Queensland Historical constructions in Queensland and President, Dean Prangley said. Society (RHSQ) formed in 1913 its impact on the Brisbane CBD has a long history of working life and community. The RHSQ has its headquarters successfully with the community in the Commissariat Store, in the and government and industry Several RHSQ Councillors and heart of the Destination Brisbane organizations –historical Hon Research Officers had Consortium’s Queens Wharf societies and professional collaborated previously with the development precinct. The associations, Brisbane City Treasury Casino in 1994-1995 Society is staying throughout Council through Newstead in a fruitful partnership when the construction in contrast to House, state and Commonwealth the Treasury Casino, Brisbane’s tenants of the other heritage governments through the $2.2 first, was being established. buildings. million conservation project This involved a book, From the undertaken by the Society on Beginning: the History Behind the ‘We are proud of the fact the Commissariat Store between Conrad Treasury International that the Store is the oldest 1997 and 2001, regional shire Casino, training of casino staff on continuously occupied building councils on tours of the state, the history of Brisbane CBD, and in Queensland, built in 1829,’ and heritage groups. The current oral history interviews. Mr Prangley said. ‘ The Queen’s partnership with Destination Wharf development is breathing Brisbane Consortium is the most ‘Now we have a similar new life into the place where recent. This will be a long and partnership with, and European settlement started in sensitive one within the milieu of commitment to, the Destination Queensland 192 years ago. one of the largest infrastructure Brisbane Consortium,’ the 20 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Royal Historical Society of Queensland

‘The Queen’s Wharf development is breathing new life into the place where European settlement started in Queensland 192 years ago.’

‘There are nine heritage knowledge in the area. a positive outcome for all.’ buildings and two historic The Society has a focus on parks, Queen’s Park and Miller ‘Of course the Commissariat the Queens Wharf Integrated Park, within the Queen’s Store, also known as ‘the convict Resort Development in its Wharf development precinct. museum’, at 115 William Street, strategic vision to evolve The Society is a very active will remain open to the public within the precinct and provide participant in monitoring that throughout the construction opportunities for understanding attention to preservation in the phase,’ Dean Prangley said. the history of the area. precinct. Destination Brisbane Consortium is assisting by placing directional The Queen’s Wharf Project is due ‘All will be preserved, and signs to the Commissariat Store for completion in 2022. several will be given new life in Queens Park. as restaurants, bars and retail outlets in the completed ‘While there have been Dean Prangley, development,’ he said. odd difficulties due to the Immediate Past President Royal construction site close by, we Historical Society of Queensland Mr Prangley said that the have worked together to achieve completion of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane would open up more of the city’s precious heritage buildings for public use. The Royal Historical Society of Queensland Council has been advocating this since 1986 at the time that the Queensland State Government first raised the idea. In 2005 the Society published a book, Brisbane’s Historic North Bank 1825-2005, to meet the need for valuable historical

21 The FAHS Newsletter |DEC 2017 | No 44 Monash University, History Education

If you were to create a Christmas decoration, no greater than 10cm squared, that represented your local community and its history, what would you create?

HON LINDA DESSAU: When the Royal Historical Unveiling of the Christ- Society of Victoria was invited mas Tree at Govern- by the Governor of Victoria, ment House in 2016 The Hon. Linda Dessau, to create such a decoration for the Government House 2017 Christmas tree, fifty- two Monash University History pre-service teachers were presented with the opportunity to undertake an unusual task.

The task was presented to them as not only one with considerable honour, but also an opportunity to undertake basic research, think and act creatively and contemplate the possibility of undertaking the same activity with Year 9 Australian history students in the ‘messy’ time of year when all Year 10s-12s have disappeared and Year 9s are tired of cleaning storerooms.

The History pre-service teachers were advised that entries would be judged by the Council and were given a deadline. They were also given the colorful copy of the RHSV’s new membership brochure which embraces diverse peoples and perspectives of Victoria’s and

22 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44 Monash University, History Education

Australia’s history, and given Two clocks represented ‘time’ as time in the weekly workshop synonymous with history. One to visit the RHSV website and was a commercially-produced learn about its work. The pre- gold fobwatch Christmas service teachers then began to decoration, suspended on discuss different themes and black ribbon; the other was colours as well as historical also a commercially-produced and environmental facets of decoration, but the blue of Victoria’s and Australia’s history. its clock-face was paired with blue ribbon as opposed to the Certainly not all students made original thin gold tie, to pick decorations – indeed, only up the RHSV’s principal colour seven were produced - but the of blue. A third locally bought time given in two workshops decoration was a wreath of validated some rich discussion white bells but the important and supported the completion and convenient feature was the One pre-service teacher also of seven decorations. decoration’s tag that announced made an all-gold decoration the brand as ‘Pure and Simply Gold – the bedrock of Victoria’s Melbourne’. consisting of craft shapes fortune – featured often. One glued together to make an decoration consisted of a The winner was a terrarium, angel with books. The RHSV small round glass terrarium suspended on red ribbon, Council was particularly suspended on gold ribbon; which contained little Italian impressed by Vennetia the ribbon had been tied to miniatures of a lamp, candle, Tzanis’s accompanying represent a poppet head. In red parcels tied in gold twine and three books. The books’ statement: the terrarium was a garden rock covered in gold stickers spines had borne the names of and circles of gold stars on wire Renaissance classical works but Just as angels are known as swirled around the terrarium. were re-covered with labels to ‘special messengers’ with an ‘Gold’ with national (and say ‘Victoria’, ‘History’, ‘Australia’. important message to deliver, festive) green was also picked To this entry was affixed a so is the RHSV. Angels bring up in another small terrarium cardboard label on which the ‘glad tidings’ but also ’warn’ piece. Small sprigs of dried RHSV logo was pasted. wattle fanned out behind small and protect. Knowing about sequined pine cones, with the All parties to the process the past can serve these same terrarium being suspended by thoroughly enjoyed it. purposes. The Christmas green ribbon. ‘The ‘green and ornament focuses on RHSV’s gold’ of Australia represented Rosalie Triolo, role to collect, research and the national flower of wattle as History Education, share Victoria’s history. The well as festive tones. Monash University three books represent these THE WINNING DECORA- areas. TION: Terrarium with miniatures and three books ‘Victoria’, ‘History’, ‘Australia’.

23 The FAHS Newsletter | DEC 2017 | No 44