| rEsearch | ||
| News from Public Record Office Victoria |
October/November 2009 |
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rEsearch is a bi-monthly update of Public Access News from PROV ISSN 1449-0323 Copyright © 2009 Public Record Office Victoria |
L-R: Ross Latham, Director, Melbourne Office, National Archives of Australia; Justine Heazlewood, Director and Keeper of Public Records, PROV; Lee Lin Chin curator and SBS World News presenter; and Robert Buckingham Founding Creative Director of Woolmark Melbourne Fashion Festival (now L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival) at the launch of Strike a Pose...with Lee Lin Chin.
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1. Strike a Pose...with Lee Lin Chin – Now on show at the VAC PROV held a launch to celebrate the opening of the exhibition Strike a Pose…with Lee Lin Chin at the VAC on Wednesday 23 September. In attendance were guest speakers Robert Buckingham, the Founding Creative Director of Woolmark Melbourne Fashion Festival (now known as the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival) and Lee Lin Chin, curator of the exhibition and SBS World News presenter. Over 80 guests enjoyed viewing the National Archives of Australia's newest travelling exhibition comprising Australian fashion images taken during the 1960s and 1970s. Hosted by PROV, Strike a Pose…with Lee Lin Chin, features 89 photographs taken by Australian Government photographers were used to promote the burgeoning Australian fashion industry and the Australian lifestyle overseas. When: Now until 20 November, 2009 This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia. |
Top and above: Guests at launch of Strike a Pose...with Lee Lin Chin.
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2. Local History Grants Program now open! Applications for the 2009-2010 round of the Local History Grants Program are now being accepted. Administered by PROV and funded through the Community Support Fund, the Local History Grants Program supports projects that preserve and present Victorian local history. Applications close on Monday 30 November. Further information including guidelines and application forms can be found on the PROV website. |
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3. Lands Guide: A guide to finding records of Crown land at Public Record Office Victoria The Lands Guide is a comprehensive reference resource for accessing records relating to Crown land in the State of Victoria. The publication caters to a wide range of research interests, from finding out about the lives of ancestors to information about the history of land in a particular location. The Lands Guide is now available to purchase as a printed book for $49.95 (plus postage and handling) and as a CD-ROM for $19.95 (plus postage and handling). A downloadable version of the publication will also be available online for $19.95. If you are interested in purchasing the Lands Guide please email us your details including postage address and let us know which version of the publication you would like to receive (printed book, CD-ROM, or online download). |
Image taken from Lands Guide demonstrating how to read notes on parish plans.
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4. PROV records on show at the Shrine of Remembrance PROV records will be on display at a forthcoming exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. A Building with a Soul – the History of the Shrine of Remembrance, traces the development of the Shrine as a point of connection for Victorians to those lost at war. Created after the horrific loss of life in the First World War (1914–18), the Shrine was conceived, built and paid for by Victorians. It was dedicated on 11 November 1934 by the Duke of Gloucester. At the close of the Second World War (1939–45) a competition to consider concepts for a complementary memorial was conducted. This competition was won by Ernest Milston, whose design included a cross-shaped ceremonial forecourt, an eternal flame and a cenotaph. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, dedicated the Forecourt and lit the Eternal Flame on 28 February 1954 as part of her Royal Tour. Several of Milston's competition drawings are in PROV's collection and two – a plan of the forecourt, and a perspective drawing of the Shrine with drawings of the entrance stairs on the same panel – will be on display as part of A Building with a Soul. A Building with a Soul – the History of the Shrine of Remembrance will be opened to the public on 6 November 2009 and will remain on display until 2 May 2010. |
PROV, VA 669 Public Works Department, VPRS 3686/P1 Pre-Metric Building Plans, Plan WMM 1.1 War Memorial Competition (image: VPRS3686P1WWM1.1)
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5. Introducing our newest Places of Deposit … PROV continues to grow the Place of Deposit program and welcomes the following community groups into the POD network: Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum Inc; Australian Railway Historical Society Victorian Division Inc; Carnegie Centre in Mildura; Fawcett Mechanics Institute Reserve Committee of Management; Kerang Historical Society; Maldon Museum & Archives Association Inc; Millewa Pioneer & Forest Historical Society; Robinvale - Euston Vintage Machinery Association; Swan Hill Genealogical & Historical Society; and Yea & District Historical Society. The facilities of each of these community groups were recently appointed by Lynne Kosky, Minister for the Arts, as suitable storage for the care of public records not considered part of the states archives. The POD network now consists of 132 community facilities across metropolitan and regional Victoria. You can find out more information about the Places of Deposit program and see a complete list of PODs by visiting the PROV website. |
Newly appointed POD, Fawcett Mechanics Institute Reserve Committee of Management at the old Fawcett Hall and Public Library.
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6. PROV is digitising more records Earlier this year, PROV established an Online Business Development (OBD) unit to coordinate digitising projects. A priority is to make more records available digitally through the PROV website, such as our online index to wills, probates and administration records 1841 - 1925 . This online index assists researchers to easily locate and download digital copies of probate records. This monumental digitising and indexing project was made possible through a partnership with PROV, FamilySearch and the Victorian Association of Family History Organisations. Our next project, with the same partners, will see inquest deposition files up to 1925 being digitisied, indexed and made available online. Further information on this project will be communicated through future issues of rEsearch. Tell us what you think The OBD unit are in the process of investigating further projects which will make more of our collection available online. We would like to know what records held by PROV you think would be worth digitising. Send us an email with the subject 'Digitising Ideas' and tell us: the VPRS number and title of the records or a brief description of the records; why you think the records are worth digitising; what sort of research you do and any other ideas. We look forward to having your suggestions about which records you would like to see digitised. |
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7. Provenance - Issue 8 Now Online - Call for Articles for 2010 Provenance is the free scholarly journal of Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) which holds the archives of the State of Victoria. Provenance features peer-reviewed articles, and other contributions, that present research drawing upon records in PROV custody. If you are researching PROV records and have an interest in writing an article then consider submitting an article to Provenance. We are now calling for articles for the 2010 issue of Provenance. The submission deadline for the upcoming issue is 31 March 2010. Subscribe to Provenance or make an enquiry about contributing to the journal, by contacting the Editor, Dr Sebastian Gurciullo: by phone on (03) 9348 5600; or email provenance@prov.vic.gov.au. Prospective authors can find further information about submitting articles in the Brief for contributors. You can search the current and back issues for subjects, names and places of interest. Follow the links below to explore this year's range of fascinating articles or download the entire issue as a PDF document. Refereed articles Frances Thiele in 'Superintendent La Trobe and the amenability of Aboriginal People to British law 1839-1846', examines Charles Joseph La Trobe's efforts to bring order to the legal status of Aboriginal people in the Port Phillip District. Fred Cahir and Ian D Clark in 'The case of Peter Mungett: Born out of the allegiance of the Queen, belonging to a sovereign and independent tribe of Ballan', explore the issue of the jurisdiction of the British colonial criminal law over Indigenous Australians, through the 1860 case files of Regina v Peter, involving a Marpeang buluk clansmanof the Wathawurrung language group. Anna Kyi in '"The most determined, sustained diggers' resistance campaign": Chinese protests against the Victorian Government's anti-Chinese legislation, 1855-1862', presents a study of Chinese protests against unjust taxation during the gold rushes by researching the numerous petitions that Victorian Chinese communities authored during this period to sway government policy. Peter Yule in 'Searching for WL Baillieu at Public Record Office Victoria', utilises a wide variety of PROV records to shed light on many previously unknown or misinterpreted aspects of the life and work of William Lawrence Baillieu, founder of the Baillieu family's fortunes. Forum articles Madonna Grehan in '"A most difficult and protracted labour case": Midwives, medical men, and coronial investigations into maternal deaths in nineteenth-century Victoria', features a case study of the 1869 coronial inquiry into the death of Mrs Margaret Bardon to examine the care of women during childbirth in nineteenth-century Victoria. Anna Kyi in '"Finding the Chinese Perspective": Locating Chinese Petitions Against Anti-Chinese Legislation During the Mid to Late 1850s', provides potential researchers with an inventory of petitions authored by Chinese Victorians and where these may be accessed. Helen Dehn in 'The Royal Oak Hotel, corner of South and Raglan Streets, Ballarat', recounts part of Ballarat's colourful social history through records relating to one of its busiest and well-loved hotels. Liz Rushen in 'Nichola Cooke: Port Phillip District's First Headmistress', tells the story of well-connected governess Nichola Anne Cooke, who established Melbourne's first ladies' seminary in 1838 and participated in the development of early Melbourne. Louise Blake in '"Woods Point is my dwelling place ...": Interpreting a family heirloom', revisits her own family's history by weaving information available in public records with a reading of the scrapbook created by her great-grandmother Margaret Knopp. Marilyn Kenny and Anne Martin in 'The Black Sheep: Robert Herdman of Paisley, Scotland and Australia', trace the life of Robert Herdman by researching records held by descendents, PROV, and other sources both in Australia and overseas. Ken James in 'The Surveying Career of William Swan Urquhart, 1845-1864', follows the life and work of one of Victoria's early surveyors through correspondence and hand-drawn maps held at PROV.
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8. Koorie Index of Names (KIN) Volunteers tour the Koorie Heritage Trust. Volunteers who work on the KIN project at PROV were treated to a tour of the Koorie Heritage Trust in early September. Located in King Street, Melbourne, the Koorie Heritage Trust Inc is a not-for-profit Aboriginal community organisation that aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia. Public Records Advisory Council member and former CEO of the Trust, Jim Berg led the tour, introducing the volunteers to the Koorie cohort Masters education group, the indigenous languages unit and the family tracing unit. The volunteers welcomed hearing the KIN index was used extensively by the family tracing unit in their day to day work. Jim then showed the volunteers the extensive painting and drawing collection held at the Trust. There is also an extensive crafts and weapons collection. Finally the volunteers adjourned to a late morning tea, a very large chocolate cake baked by Jim's wife, Sara with "Thanks to the PROV volunteers" written on it. From the photograph, it is obvious that the volunteers were thoroughly entertained, educated, charmed and are even further dedicated to providing access to Koorie records. |
PROV's KIN volunteers with Susie Leehane, Manager Volunteers Programs, PROV (front left) at the Koorie Heritage Trust Inc.
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9. PROV's changes to copying services PROV currently provides copying services to all researchers including a postal service. To improve services and keep in line with Australia Post charges PROV is making some changes to the copying service. As of the 1st November, 2009 new charges will apply. Visit the PROV website to view these changes.
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10. Building works at the Victorian Archives Centre – disruption to services As part of a program of building works being conducted by PROV to improve its facilities, there will be some disruption to services to the public. The VAC including the Reading Room is closed on Mondays and Saturdays until February 2010. PROV will conduct business as usual including the reading rooms on Tuesdays to Fridays. Public tours of the VAC are suspended until February 2010. The hours of operation of reception at the VAC are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. While the VAC is not open to the public on Mondays, Reception staff will still be available via phone and email on Mondays during this time. To bring all PROV services into alignment during this time the Ballarat Archives Centre (BAC) including the Reading Room is also closed on Mondays until February 2010 but is open on Tuesdays AND Wednesdays (in lieu of Mondays). This necessary work will ensure that the archival collections of both PROV and the National Archives of Australia stored in the Victorian Archives Centre continue to be preserved in state-of-the-art facilities. Visit the PROV website for Reading Room opening times or further information regarding the Building Works or send an email. We apologise for any inconvenience experienced during these closures. |
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11. Records now available from PROV Visit our new records page to view new series that have been added to the online catalogue Access the Collection. The list is updated every two months to coincide with the publication of rEsearch. |
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12. Calendar of public events Visit our events calendar for a list of upcoming PROV speaking engagements. Book now! |
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13. Feedback If you would like to send feedback and suggestions on the content of this newsletter or if you know someone who would be interested in receiving rEsearch, please email ask.prov@prov.vic.gov.au |
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14. About this publication We have included you on our mailing list because you have indicated interest in receiving PROV information. However, if you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email ask.prov@prov.vic.gov.au or phone PROV reception (03) 9348 5600 and we will remove you from our list. Back issues of this publication are also available at http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/publications/ |
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