During his presentation at the 2012 National Trust Forum on Innovation and Invention Mr Bill Jordan introduced us to a convict era tunnel dating from around 1816 that lies beneath Church Street, Newcastle (Australia). He believes that it is the oldest example of Australian civil engineering works still in use to this day and quite … More Convict Era Tunnel (c1816) and Brick Culvert (c1850s)
From Aboriginal ingenuity to cutting edge scientific research, the Hunter Region (Australia) has been and continues to be a leader in creativity and inventiveness. This Forum was a celebration of the people and institutions which have helped and continue to help shape the region. The Event was held in the Newcastle Town Hall on the … More National Trust Innovation and Invention in the Hunter Forum 2012
The 2012 Hunter Heritage Network seminar was held in beautiful historic Murrurundi in the upper Hunter Valley. Sponsored by the Upper Hunter Shire Council.
The “Plan Shewing the Shifting Sands” by John Edward Newell Bull, on 4th August 1850 was recently provided by Mr Charles Martin. Courtesy of the State Library of New South Wales, the plan displays an insight into Newcastle’s past problems with the shifting sands that threatened to engulf the town. The Select Committee of the … More The Shifting Sands of Newcastle
Palais Royale Excavation Final Report (53 MB PDF File) On the 29th August 2009 members of the University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party were invited to inspect the archaeological dig being undertaken on the site of the former Palais Royale (now KFC) site in Newcastle West. This is the second visit to to the … More Government Farm c1810 Archaeological site visit
On the 30th September 2011 the NSW Minister for Heritage and the Environment, The Hon. Robyn Parker MP addressed the Hunter Heritage Network Seminar at the University of Newcastle (Australia). The Minister was welcomed by Deputy Vice Chancellor Kevin McConkey and Mr Greg Anderson, Manager University Libraries. The Minister for Heritage Robyn Parker addressed the … More Highlights from the 2011 Hunter Heritage Network Seminar
Panorama of Newcastle 1821 formerly attributed to Sophia Campbell, currently acknowledged as the work of Edward Charles Close. Click on image for a larger view. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW) The School of Humanities and Social Science is proud to present the first of its 2012 History Seminar series in Cultural Collections Auchmuty … More Professor Michael Rosenthal on Edward Charles Close
On the 20th February 2012 a ceremony was held at the Newcastle Art Gallery to unveil the Wallis Album. The Wallis Album was compiled by Captain James Wallis, who was Commandant of the Newcastle penal settlement from June 1816 to December 1818. Of the 35 works, the album features many by convict artist Joseph Lycett … More Unveiling the Wallis Album
Treasure Troves in Laman Street We recently unearthed a couple of interesting newsclippings relating to finds of treasure troves in Laman Street Newcastle. First Find 1877 The first occurred on Friday 13th April 1877, when a cache of over 60-70 silver and 400-500 copper coins was found in a well in Laman Street. Dating from … More The Treasure Troves of Laman Street
We are delighted and honoured to announce that Emeritus Professor Maree Gleeson OAM has been installed as a Coal River Working Party Patron and Research Collaborator. Emeritus Professor Gleeson OAMÂ is the former Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), a position she took up in 2006. She has nurtured the HMRI to maturity in … More Emeritus Professor Maree Gleeson OAM Installed as Patron and Research Collaborator