Keeping in Touch Newsletter for New Zealand History Federation Inc Volume 9 Issue 3 July 2015 www.nzhistoricalsocieties.org.nz Right: Hon Peter Dunne, Minister of Internal Affairs (left), with Neil Curgenven. Photo: R Astridge. Below: Lunch at KATE, Onslow Historical Society rooms. Photo: L Truttman Above: National War Memorial Carillon, Wellington. Photo: L Truttman Images from the 2015 NZ Federation Conference and Annual General Meeting, held in Wellington. More info inside. Calendar 2015 27 July to 2 August — HMS Buffalo Commemoration and Homecoming Week 5 September 2015 Auckland Regional Heritage Gathering — Torbay Historical Society September 2015 Wellington Regional Heritage Festival Late September –early October 2015 Auckland Heritage Festival Next issue due out October 2015 Contact Lisa Truttman (editor) : 19 Methuen Road, Avondale, Auckland 0600,phone (09) 828-8494 or email [email protected] Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the New Zealand History Federation Inc. New Zealand History Federation Inc 44th Annual General Meeting and Conference, 8 to 10 May 2015 hosted at K.A.T.E 86 Khandallah Road, Khandallah, Wellington, by Onslow Historical Society and New Zealand History Federation Inc The attendees were warmly welcomed on Saturday During the formal Annual General Meeting, an obi- 9 May at KATE by Murray Pillar of the Onslow tuary was read out for Penny Ross, past committee Historical Society. The Society was established member of the Federation. Robin Astridge stepped 1968 by Bob Myer, and has produced the Onslow down from the Federation Committee, after over 30 Historical Magazine since 1970. Their archive has years involvement. He had been elected as Presi- been collected over 45 years. They recently em- dent at the Otaki Conference in 1983. ployed someone for sorting and cataloguing. At the Outgong President Neil Algar was presented with time of the conference, their current exhibition an honorary life membership of the Federation. focussed on the North Road. The following were elected as the incoming com- KATE (the Khandallah Automatic Telephone mittee for 2015-2016. Exchange Building), the site of the AGM, was designed in 1918 and built in 1922. It came under a President: Lisa Truttman (Avondale-Waterview/ demolition order in the 1980s. The OHS lobbied Point Chevalier) Jonathan Hunt who was then Postmaster general. Vice-President: Kenneth Stringer (Waikato) The building was saved, the Society moved in Secretary/Treasurer: Neil Curgenven (Bulls) 1992, tidied and strengthened the building, an held Committee: an opening exhibition in 1994. Neil Algar (Matamata) Jim Black (Avondale-Waterview) Peter Dunne, local MP for Ohariu and Minister of Jim Baker (Patea) Internal Affairs, was the guest speaker. He Wynne HaySmith (Helensville) welcomed the attendees, and acknowledged Neil Garth Houltham (Mt Roskill/NZ Fencibles) Algar and Robin Astridge. He said he was keenly Jack Ingram (Tauranga) aware of the huge level of interest in NZ history, and referred to historical societies, Alexander Turnbull Library, and Archives NZ (his portfolio ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2014 including both Archives NZ and National Library). NEW ZEALAND HISTORY Recently, to aid research into the WWI centenary, FEDERATION INC 141,000 personnel service files were made availa- ble online. The digitisation partnership with This is the first annual report of the New Zealand Family Search.com and Archives NZ has allowed History Federation Inc following the name change historical probates to progressively become availa- at the 2014 AGM from the New Zealand ble online as well. He acknowledged the work Federation of Historical Societies Inc. The inten- done by historical society volunteers and the range tion of the new name was to signal that its aims and of material held by these societies. “Look to the interests include more than just those of historical past to create your future” (Maori proverb). He societies and that it welcomes membership by any advised that the Treaty of Waitangi was being individuals and groups who have an interest in his- shifted at the moment from Archives NZ to a space tory. You could say it has a broad brief. Most in National Library to be preserved for the next members are from the ranks of the volunteers or 500 years, and was keen to see libraries and ar- amateurs, and while it aims at helping members to chives around the country have a concerted achieve high standards in everything they do it has approach to their records. Discussions are under- what could be called a more relaxed attitude than way with NZ Fire Service and Dept. of Defence might be apparent in a professional organisation. regarding protection and preservation of their archives and heritage items. It is early days under the new name, and there has not yet been an obvious surge in membership. No July 2015 3 So called 'social media' do appear to some people to carry as many disad- vantages as advantages, but having email to communicate with others is so much faster than the post, and putting up-to-date information on websites so much more efficient that we must move into those areas and get accustomed to using them. Then we will be more likely to attract those people who we think should be waking up to the importance of his- tory. For those in the museums busi- ness, recent IT developments such as QR and PingX will be bringing large amounts of information to smart phones which will increasingly be expected by younger age groups in shops as well as museums. At the 2015 AGM Neil Curgenven, who Outgoing President Neil Algar (left) receiving the has been delving deeply into these, will update at- honorary membership certificate from Robin tendees, and significant progress is expected in Astridge (right). Eunice Algar seated. Photo: L 2015. The Federation website is updated regularly, and is other New Zealand-wide group has quite the same the easiest way for members to know what is hap- aims, and it is the voice of this sector which is larg- pening. If any errors are found or improvements er than many people appreciate. The Federation suggested. Wynne HaySmith is the one to whom to encourages requests for assistance, and periodically communicate, and she will also help in getting pro- makes submissions in support of a member. fessional assistance to improve a member's web- site. As has been said, this is an important way of Membership at the end of the year was a little static having information easily available, and many over last year. The total number of individuals members use Facebook as well. The history of directly or indirectly involved is too numerous to changes in the way information is made available - state with all our volunteers: and accessed would make interesting reading and be immediately out-of-date. Member societies (82) Member institutes (44) Looking for a rise with Despite the growth of electronic communication, our work in Saving History KIT, the newsletter circulated several times a year Associates (49) by Lisa Truttman, and NZ Legacy, produced and widely distributed to members and subscribers by Activity has been steady if not spectacular, and the the Editorial Board, would usually be our best Federation knows it should be pro-active as well as means of communication. We are grateful for the responding to requests for assistance. Membership work that goes into them, and remind everyone that is generally but not exclusively from what might be items of interest or articles to be published more - called the older age groups. High in their minds is than just accepted they are encouraged and wel- the acknowledgement that if they want to promote comed. interest in history it has to be done in a way which will reach and appeal to generations younger than During 2014 a seminar was held, as part of Auck- themselves. Within the Federation, indeed within land's October Heritage Week, on New Zealand member organisations, quick and easy communica- house design, conducted by Jeremy Salmond, a tion and availability of information is becoming heritage architect and our Patron Anne Salmond's more and more important. husband. It was organised by Kenneth Stringer who has in the past arranged similar seminars, for 4 July 2015 which we are grateful. There was a good attendance Thanks again from the membership and from me and was it very interesting. personally to all the committee members for their efforts. They are all different with a wide range of Of course these events attract people from only a skills, assuming portfolios which they concentrate part New Zealand, which continually reminds us that on, an ideal state for a committee. They have vigor- in our geographically challenged country an organi- ous discussions together and have developed firm sation like the Federation will always have trouble friendships. The emails are frequent. However even getting members together, and that most its events without the loss of committee members over time, are regional, not national. They are well attended and the Federation needs new faces with new ideas to valuable. The Federation gives all the help it can. join the committee. It is not a big commitment. Neil Curgenven has given advice and sometimes, as Please consider nomination. provided for from the Federation's funds, a short term loan to assist a member wanting help in pub- Neil Algar, lishing a book. This is something that does not get PRESIDENT much publicity but is a very useful service. Thanks to Neil for giving his time so freely. The 2014 Annual Conference and AGM at Te Awamutu had a good attendance. Robin Astridge Penelope (Penny) Ross has a great interest and understanding of the land passed away 22 April 2015 wars, which of course everyone should have because they are of great historical importance.