State Archives
Keeping a formal documentary history of the region was historically the domain of individual local State government agencies and the Church. The State Library of NSW was the only agency actively accepting donations from New Englanders. The State Library utilised the potential of Armidale as a repository by relocated its archival treasures from Sydney to Armidale in 1942 to protect the records from Japanese attack. This secret wartime activity used the Armidale Teachers College basement. After WWII the New England University College began seeking historical materials for research and teaching. Prior to the introduction of the State Archives Act of 1960, this saw many loans between government agencies and the University. The State Archives Act allowed the University to formally establish an archival repository charged with collecting history from the public and holding NSW Government archives in Armidale for public access.
Collecting and Presenting the Past
As early as the 1870s and 80s it was common throughout parts of Australia for settlers to collect Aboriginal artefacts and curiosities of natural history -- stone axes, snake-skins, unusual feathers, egg-shells and so on -- bringing them home and putting them away in cabinets or drawers. Some collectors were highly discriminating and even created small private museums. Teachers also encouraged children to help in building up museums for their schools, hoping thereby to give them an intelligent grasp of their environment. This was an effort in keeping up with contemporary educational theory. Many colonists of that generation showed a newfound interest in knowing more about the Australian countryside and especially their own corner of it.
Clues the camera left behind
Historical family photos can often trigger more questions than answers. Bill Oates, from the University of New England talks us through an innovative new process of using shadows to date a photo. ... Having recently looked through the collections of the city of Aosta in northern Italy, I was struck by the volume of superb archaeology, the documented history and the lithographs of the images of the city and its monuments. Later with reflection, I realised that their collection really lacked early photographs. With this in mind, I started looking at any photos on display depicting local history. There were very few in either the tourist literature or displayed in exhibitions; most were sourced from other collections held outside the region. The very wealth of images available in regional Australia made me think again about just how well we have captured the images of our past. Mobile, wealthy and technologically innovative Australians created many photographs and were able to avoid all the domestic destruction of the world wars that robbed Europe of much of its material. What we often don't have, though, is the context in which the photo was taken - who, where and when - which is enough to drive any genealogist to distraction!
The University of New England's role in capturing archival records of the New England Region
Archives are defined as 'the non-current records of an organisation, institution or individual which are selected for preservation because of their continuing value.' In the beginning: Early European settlers to the New England region certainly created and retained records that still provide much insight into the texture of their lives. The churches and denominations in particular had transplanted a long tradition of ecclesiastical record keeping into their new parishes in Australia. Commercial activities, particularly those of the pastoral industry, had created large 'business' archives. Government agencies, community organisations and schools all created, collected and, in many cases, still retain, extensive local archives. Individuals such as early schoolteacher and diarist, William Gardner (1802-1860), also bequeathed extensive descriptions of the mid nineteenth century New England to subsequent generations.
Ambulance service
After the establishment of Armidale, early New Englanders received medical attention at the hands of medical practioners in their own homes or in the consulting rooms of the local physicians. These rooms included venues rented in the local hotels. An improvement was made with the establishment of the first hospital in Dumaresq Street near the corner of Marsh Street in 1853. This enterprise was relocated to the corner of Donnelly and O'Dell Streets prior to the subsequent construction of a hospital at the current site in 1883. The Donnelly Street building remained as the infectious diseases ward until 1911 when the old building was demolished and the site burned to prevent the spread of disease. Whilst doctors, midwives and the coroner made house calls in early Armidale it was not until January 1927, after a public meeting called by the then Mayor, Morgan Stephens, that the first ambulance service for Armidale commenced from a house provided rent free for a year in Butler Street. This service was free to residents of the New England area. The increase in demand for the service saw its base move from Butler Street to Barney Street before being housed in a purpose built premises in Rusden Street near the Town Hall in 1933.
John Ryan interviewed by Bill Oates [sound recording]
Digital master of 5 sound files recorded on 28th - 29th July, and 2nd, 3rd & 5th August 2011 in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Access closed until after 2016.
University College
Long-serving Minister of Education in New South Wales David Drummond quoted Premier William Holman in the beginning of his book 'A University is Born'. Holman stated in 1923 that "before you can hope to have decentralisation you must first teach the teachers." Dating back to 1788, a self-evident truth was that if something existed in Sydney that was good enough for all New South Wales. This applied to the major cultural infrastructure including the university sector. Country students could be sent to Sydney for university if not going direct to prestigious institutions like Oxford, Cambridge or Edinburgh. The desire of country people to construct local facilities and avoid travel to Sydney was something most Sydneysiders could not understand. In a sense, the urban population and their voting power were Holman's teachers. Given this environment, it would take a concerted political movement to start a university in a rural location.