WATCH JUNE SHOWCASE ABOVE
Join us for a special screening of the film Whibayganba: The Nobby’s Headland Story followed by a Q&A with and Hunter Living Histories Showcase from 1pm – 2:30pm.
ALL WELCOME
- WELCOME TO COUNTRY (Shane Frost, Awabakal Descendant) – Gionni di Gravio OAM, Chair HLH & University Archivist) introduces Shane Frost
- 20th Anniversary Coal River Project into NSW Parliamentary HansardThe 2 June 2024 marks the 20th anniversary that Hon. Patricia Forsythe AM (and now University of Newcastle Chancellor), as Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, and member of the Legislative Council, became the first politician to champion the work of Doug Lithgow and the Coal River Project (now the Hunter Living Histories) into New South Wales Parliamentary Hansard.We are honoured that the University of Newcastle Chancellor Patricia Forsythe AM will join us in this acknowledgment with Doug Lithgow, President of the Parks & Playgrounds Movement Inc, and Freeman of the City of Newcastle, and Professor Erik Eklund, Foundation Chair of the University’s Coal River Working Party.
THE COAL RIVER PROJECTPage: 128
The Hon. PATRICIA FORSYTHE [1.52 a.m.]: Earlier this year and tonight the House was reminded of the 200th anniversary of the uprising at Vinegar Hill. I wish to talk about the sequel to that uprising and another 200th anniversary that should be not only noted by the House but also commemorated by the community in a lasting way. Following the insurrection of Irish convicts at Castle Hill on 4 March 1804 that was put down at Vinegar Hill, the ringleaders were hanged but the rebels were sent to Coal River. Coal River, otherwise known as the Hunter River, had been the site of a small settlement since 1801 after being discovered in 1797 by Lieutenant John Shortland. In 1804 Governor King decided to make a permanent settlement at Coal River and announced that the settlement would be named Newcastle in the county of Northumberland. A commission was given to Lieutenant Charles Menzies and he entered the harbour on 30 March 1804. His description to Governor King was of “a delightful valley.” So, 200 years ago Newcastle was named and settled permanently. This important historical event has not gone unnoticed but one could say it has not yet been marked in a way befitting its significance.
I am indebted to Doug Lithgow of the Newcastle parks and playgrounds movement for the background material on this. The City of Newcastle should be indebted to Doug for his untiring efforts and those of other citizens and businesses that have recognised the potential for an enduring tribute to the foundation of the city. Four years ago the Howard Government offered the city funding to be used toward a commemoration. Last year the Newcastle Permanent Building Society sponsored the Nobbys Coal River historic precinct workshop to discuss and plan a strategy for the identification, documentation and presentation of the precinct . The precinct comprises publicly owned land at the mouth of the Hunter River within the boundary of the Newcastle conservation area and with Nobbys headland as the dominant feature and focal point. Identifying the precinct is the easy part. What is missing is funding to realise the vision. The workshop led to a set of recommendations being developed which could be used to guide the direction of a project. The goal is to see the Coal River precinct developed as a unique part of the city with recreation, education and tourism features which express the city’s heritage themes.
In my first speech in this House I referred to the strength that is Newcastle when everyone pulls together. This project requires such co-operation with the city council, business, the university and the community working together to develop the project. I know that a figure of $500,000 has been identified as the minimum needed to develop a master plan and stage one of the project. It is expected that both the State and Federal governments will provide joint funding. That may be possible but given the benefit that many firms derive from coal it would be a wonderful gesture if private enterprise would make a significant contribution. Clearly nothing will be in place during this 200th anniversary but the vision should not be lost. Leadership on this is needed. I urge Newcastle City Council to give this concept the priority it deserves by giving leadership to its promotion, and co-ordination. Coal has underpinned the Newcastle economy for 200 years. The history of the city in those 200 years and its Aboriginal heritage are important elements of the history of Australia. Wonderful tales are told of those early days. There is enormous tourism potential in developing this precinct. I urge action on this.
Subjects: Historic Buildings and Sties; Hunter Valley.
Speakers: Forsythe, The Hon Patricia.
Version: Proof NSW Legislative Council Hansard Article No.54 of 02/06/2004.
Speech Type: ADJ; Adjournment.
Hunter Living Histories (CRWP) Celebrates 20 Years – A Timeline
- Shane Frost Awabakal Descendant on his new book: F
- Vera Deacon Regional History Fund – Creative in Residence Announcement – Carl Caulfield (Lycett Play) Further information HERE
UPDATES FROM THE REGIONS
- Dain Simpson, Broke Centennial 2024 Coordinator update on Broke Event.
https://brokerca.com.au/bicentennial-2024 - Jack Lewis (Career Ready student placement) – Sygna Shipwreck
https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2024/05/28/50-yrs-sygna/ - Kate Olrich – Hunter Water – Online heritage awareness training module (can provide a quick overview and call out for participants),
- Regional GLAM Institutions Updates
- Hunter Regional Committee Hunter National Trust Updates
RECENT NEWS
- EVENT Celebrating “gay sex made legal in NSW’ 40th anniversary with a discussion at Bernies Bar on Sunday 2nd June at 6pm. Further details here
- Celebrating the Life of Lyndall Ryan– Saturday 15 June 2 – 5 pm, Newcastle City Hall, 290 King St. Newcastle. Please share this invitation with those who knew Lyndall to join in the celebration of her amazing life. Light refreshments will be served after the service.
- 2024 Margaret Henry Memorial Lecture – Saving the planet: We must do more to support young climate activists. Presented by Dr Leslie Cannold – Assoc Prof of Ethics and Practice and Resident Ethicist at the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Thursday, 20 June, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Newcastle City Hall. Further Information HERE
- N.S.W. History Week 2024 on 7-15 September, with the theme, “Marking Time”. Further details HERE
- Wallsend’s rich history to be celebrated with 150th event – August 2024 Further information HERE
TOPIC DISCUSSION :
- Whibayganba: The Nobby’s Headland Story – Continued Discussion with filmmakers Glenn Dormand and Tony Whittaker on current films in production Glenn Dormand and Tony Whittaker.
ALL WELCOME : Please contact us if you have something you’d like to contribute or share
You can view Hunter Living Histories May Showcase HERE
Date of next HLH Showcase:
Monday, 1 July 2024
2024 Showcase dates available here:
Meetings – Hunter Living Histories