Agm Swan Guildford Historical Society 2018
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AGM SWAN GUILDFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2018 PRESIDENTS REPORT Executive Committee 2017 The SGHS Executive has included: Rod Brinkworth: Vice President, Researcher, Tour Team Leader, Gaye Sweeney: Secretary, Archivist. Tour Team Leader, Marketing, Kathy Feucs: Treasurer, Tour Guide, Adriana Brandao: Marketing and Accessioner, Bromwyn Facer: P.R. and marketing, Fay Stockdale: Tour Team Leader, Janet and Warren Harvey: Caretakers, Jean True: Keeper of the Images, Celia Miller: President, Clement Mulcahy: immediate Past President, and Paul Bridges: curator in attendance. Ann-Marie Meredith: Representing the society on the Royal Western Australian Historical Society Affiliated committee, also representing affiliated committee on the RWAHS Council. Many of our committee members, are multitasking, a very active group, who support each other. I thank you all for the contribution you make to our society, it is invaluable. Thank you to: Tour guides, Hirani Nelson, Sue McDermott, Jill Sharp, Robert Watson, Margaret Kidson and Rajes Manohar. Textiles and Costumes Carole Temple and Star Bradtke, Accessioner, Margaret Tasker, Images Marie Price Archivist, Jenny Matut, Volunteers, Min Plunkett, Poul Kirk and Kevin Anderson. We provide180 hours per week of volunteer labour, which calculated at $35 per hour equates to $315,000.00 per year. Meeting the Community 1 | P a g e Swan Guildford Historical Society Guildford Heritage Festival 26 March The theme for the display created for the 2017 Guildford Heritage Festival’s was ‘Acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the declaration of World War One,’ based on the little known role played by Guildford in training our troops at the Guildford Remount Depot. Arranged for two militaria collectors to provide complimentary displays that highlighted the South Guildford Remount Depot’s role to break and train horses for use in light horse, artillery and transport units. The new portable display panels were used to explain that after the outbreak of WWI in August 1914 the facility was expanded to include Field Artillery, Field Engineers, Service Corps, Light Horse and the Remount unit. Text included an explanation of the significance of the Hobbs gates established by the City in Stirling Square to honour the centenary of artillery in Guildford. Statue in Stirling Square Attended an inaugural meeting in Ken Wyatt’s office to establish a committee under the auspices of the SGHS to establish a statue in Stirling Square to honour the 10 Light Horse Regiment. Ongoing. Anzac Day - Morning Tea Mechanics Institute An annual event, a welcome cuppa and the traditional Anzac biscuit offered to guests after the Anzac service. Jean, Bill and team of helpers, thank you, once again, for organising this event which was so popular we ran out of milk. Western Australia Day Speaker, Audrey Holland, had us eating out of her hand, with a vivid account, of her ancestors. Audrey, a descendant from free settlers and convicts, said, “Like most, I was unaware of the convicts in my family tree and my mother had no idea that her mother was the daughter of a convict. Then further research revealed that my father’s mother had also been the daughter of a convict. Regardless of what walk of life our ancestors came from or how they arrived, we should all be very proud of them.” Paranormal Hunters visit the Gaol On Saturday 26 August access was granted to Ivan Kirov and Michelle Walden from Paranormal Hunters to film in the Gaol and Taylors’ Cottage. They required a number of hours automatic filming and then before midnight remove the free standing mounted cameras. The film was edited and the footage is on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/paranormalhuntersaustralia/videos/1048413555297688/ RWAHS State History Conference Wanneroo and Districts Historical Society, hosted the 2017 conference, held on 8-10 September. This year, we only had one attendee, hopefully we can raise the numbers and attend the conference at Cervantes September 2018. Vintage Film Event Wundowie to Weir film afternoon, held at the Midland Town Hall, of four short vintage films, screened Saturday 7 October. A collaborative effort by Jude Carr, the City of Swan’s Local Studies Librarian, Mundaring & Hills HS, Midland & Districts HS, Bassendean HS and Swan Guildford HS. Each society organised a display table, highlighting their own organisation. 2 | P a g e Swan Guildford Historical Society Meeting with Lessee Stirling Arms The Historic Hotel continues to be upgraded, the accommodation offered is excellent, and very reasonable. The City are looking at leasing the parking area for town parking. If this happens, the City will upgrade and provide lighting. Book Launch Gaye, Leo and myself attended a book launch at La Salle College. The book “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” is an historical account capturing the challenges, triumphs and celebrations of La Salle College since its foundation in 1954. Meticulously researched and written by Clement Mulcahy it is in a most easy to read style, this is a book for lovers of history. The 2 volume book set is available from La Salle College, To order your copy by ring 9274 6266. Cost $119. Stirling Square Committee The Committee holds regular meetings to monitor and protect this significant Square. We meet with representatives from Guildford Association, Swan Guildford HS, St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Guildford Family Play Group, Guildford Heritage Markets, Australian Garden HS. Transition Town and the CoS. Stirling Square has cultural significance for the following reasons: Stirling Square is an integral part of the Guildford community’s sense of place. Positioned in the centre of the town, the Squares acts as both a landmark and venue for recreational, cultural and social activities. The Square is valued as a meeting place for the Whadjuk Noongar and wider Aboriginal community. Stirling Square was part of the original town plan for Guildford in 1829, one of the first three towns in the Swan River Colony. The individual aspects of the Square including St Matthew’s Church, the War Memorials, open grassed areas and sugar gum trees all contributes to the aesthetic character of the Guildford townscape. Shanks Pony Tours Opened Gaol and Taylor’s cottage for an evening Ghost tour conducted by Councillor Patti Williams. A donation of $60 received from Patti. Local Government Curators Network This group met in November to advance the planning for a joint travelling exhibition on the 150th anniversary of the cessation of convicts coming to WA in 1868. Each participating group will provide the text and images for their panel on their district and those that have convict artefacts will pool these for the exhibition. At the conclusion of the touring each group will get a copy of the introduction panels and their own and SGHS will retain the showcases. The next network meeting will be hosted by SGHS at the Mechanics Institute on 15 March. 3 | P a g e Swan Guildford Historical Society Film on the Harpers Working with director, Rob McGlynn, to provide military information. Famile and briefing Visit by Councillors and City of Swan Executives to the precinct 21st February 2018, brought genuine response and surprise on the realisation of the importance of the collection, and the work that we do. In the evening I spoke to the councillors at the Midland Town Hall, requesting future funding for our Curator (3 days) and Education Officer (2 days) I now wait until the April council meeting to see if our request will be granted. Courses Attended WA State Heritage & History Conference May 2017 Three bursary applications were made for Paul, Gaye Sweeney and Celia Miller for $425 ($1,275) to cover the individual registration costs for the above conference. All were successful for the full amount. Three Day Mosaic Course The Keeper of Archives and an assistant in Artefacts attended a three-day Mosaic course in August. The keepers and their assistants have a high level of competency with Mosaic and I monitor entered data periodically. They are a self-motivated team and require little supervision, but guidance is provided when requested. Lives in Archives In October Paul, Celia and Jean, Keeper of Images, attended a two-day workshop titled ‘Lives in Archives’ conducted at Notre Dame University and the State Records Office of WA in October. Guest speakers 2017 We consider providing the opportunity to members and friends to listen to speakers throughout the year an important part of our outreach. We are fortunate to have speakers, who give their time so generously, that share their knowledge and stories unsparingly. 13 February: Nerina Coopes: Pompey Gull – A Man for his Time - Master pearler, Light Horseman 10th & 14th L.H., Cameleer. 13 March: AGM: presentation of items from the Society’s Collection and commentary. 10 April: Tom Goode: The Cold-Footed Mob. A History of the 5th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company. 8 May: Natasha Kepert: sharing her research on significant Aboriginal sites now associated with West Swan Road, Caversham, Lord Street and Eden Hill. 12 June: John Visca: Colonial Kitchen Gardens an Illustrated talk. 10 July: Steve Howell: The story of Emma Mould – Emma was sixteen years old when she arrived in Western Australia with the Bussells on the Cygnet. 13 August: Dr.Shane Burke: Butting Heads: History and Archaeology in Western Australia. 4 | P a g e Swan Guildford Historical Society 11 September: Dr. Lydia Edwards: How to Read a Dress and the collection of Swan Guildford Historical Society. Dr. Lydia Edwards says, “As a collection of women’s wear from the 1850’s-1970’s, this assortment of garments must be unparalleled in the rest of WA, and is quite possibly on par with major collections elsewhere in Australia.” 9 October: Philippa O’ Brien: Edmund Du Cane Engineer, artist, comedian, lover. 13 November: Kent Acott: 100 years in Guildford.