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What’s Happening?
Filming for the next Stories of Our Town Film began in earnest yesterday featuring the magnificent Ralph Snowball Archive. The film makers recorded interviews with our conservator, Dr   and GLAMx Co-Ordinator Dr   and Archivist (Yours Truly) before heading into town to record interviews with digitisation staff at the Newcastle Region Library.
Who Is Ralph Snowball?
A master Newcastle photographer who took over 8000 exquisite images across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie recording people and places and events in our Region from the mid 1880s to the 1920s.
For an overview of Ralph Snowball’s creative practice and extent of his archives see:
To view the original scans from the glass negatives held at the University of Newcastle see: https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/89 or https://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/albums/72157608912691810/
Why Is It Important?Â
These images are like windows to another time. So sharp and clear and beautiful to the eye; you can’t help but be mesmerised by them. If you are interested in the place you live in, then these images will provide you a clear glimpse of people who thought and felt and lived the same as you do right now. They are no longer with us, but these glass negatives, and you, still are.
Why the Film?Â
The Snowball Glass Negatives have made a huge impact on our community and beyond. It was time to tell this story. The University’s Auchmuty Library is helping to fund the film through the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.
Have Your Say: What’s Your Favourite Snowball?Â
The film makers (Chit Chat von Loopin Stab, i.e. Glenn and Tony Whittaker) are very interested in filming people talking about their favourite Snowball photograph, and/or interviewing anyone that has some personal connection to the photographer, and the people and places he recorded in these amazing glass negatives during the 1880s to the 1920s.
If you do, then get in touch by leaving a comment below.
Gionni Di Gravio OAM
University Archivist & Chair, Hunter Living Histories
My husband is Ralph Snowball’s great Grandson. We have that photo of Ralph and Rob is the image of him.
Hi Kay, Thanks for making contact, if you can send your contact details to my email gionni.digravio@newcastle.edu.au I will ask Chit Chat (a.k.a. Glenn) to ring you as soon as he can. Very exciting. Regards, Gionni
My favourite Snowball photo is of Jack Burnley, Bottle Dealer, 1908. A masterful composition with Jack in the centre with bottles arrayed around him, and the wealth of the Lambton colliery evident in the background view of coal laden railway wagons. The photo is so crisp and clear you can see individual nail holes in the timber shed. I learnt that Jack served in WW1 as a bugler and was killed in 1917. Subsequently when perusing the photo closely I noticed a bugle perched on the brake handle of Jack’s wagon. It sent a shiver down my spine.