| The In Living Memory exhibition of photographs from the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board has attracted so many visitors, that a proposed extension for another year is being considered. The exhibition team is consulting with Elders, families and communities whose photographs are highlighted in the exhibition and will confirm any change to the current 30 June 2007closing date shortly.
In Living Memory was honoured with two Highly Commended Awards recently:
- Energy Australia National Trust Heritage Awards (Interpretation & Presentation category)
- NSW Dept of Commerce Indigenous Achievement Award
Congratulations to Mervyn Bishop and everyone down at State Records.
Read more about the exhibition below. Exhibition Talks & Tours are available for small groups of 10-20 people, weekdays between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. Ph: (02) 8247 8660 for enquiries and bookings.
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Ruby Williams in service with Mrs J Simpson, Strathfield, Sydney.
Reproduced with permission of Brenda Nicholas, Coonabarabran;
Joan L Baker & George William Leslie, Sydney.
And approval of NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. |
In June 1977, the official records of the former New South Wales Aborigines Welfare Board were transferred to the protection of State Records, the NSW Government archives institution. Along with the Board's correspondence, reports and ledgers, there were approximately 1000 loosely stored black and white photographs of Aboriginal people taken between 1919 and 1966. These images are the surviving photographic records of the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board.
In Living Memory — an exhibition based on the photographs — opened at the State Records Gallery in The Rocks on 8 September 2006.
Most of the photographs were taken to document the work of the Board and to promote its policies. They include images of children from the bush visiting Sydney for annual summer camps; wedding photos of couples on reserves and stations throughout Western NSW; and studio portraits of young Aboriginal women.
Other photographs more clearly reveal the poverty and hardship of children's homes; the bleakness of official housing and education; and the hard labour for men and boys working on the land.
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AWB photo: Wedding photo of James Barker & Evelyn Wighton
Brewarrina Mission, 1925 . Reproduced with permission of Roy Barker, Lightning Ridge. And approval of NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. |
The Board photographs do not provide a complete picture of Indigenous life from the 1920s to the 1960s. Some people and places are represented by many photographs; others by a few or none at all. However, the process of meeting with Indigenous communities to research, develop and present the exhibition has begun to bring new life to those historical records that have survived. In Living Memory is helping to create a new purpose and place for the photographs within contemporary Indigenous life.
More information about the exhibition and the process of retrieving and telling the stories associated with the photographs can be found on State Records website.
State Records also holds a significant number of records relating to Indigenous Australians. The
records document the interaction of the NSW government with Indigenous people from 1788 until today. State Records has developed a section of their website called Resources for Indigenous Communities. This site brings together all of State Records' resources that can help you identify, access and use State archives that relate to Indigenous people.
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| Mervyn Bishop photo: Roy & June Barker
Lightning Ridge, 2006.
Reproduced with permission of Roy & June Barker.
And approval of Mervyn Bishop. |
In Living Memory
8 September 2006 to 30 June 2007
State Records Gallery - Sydney Records Centre
2 Globe Street (off George Street), The Rocks
FREE ENTRY
Monday to Friday 9am — 5pm, Mon — Fri;
Saturday 10 am — 4pm
Closed Sundays and public holidays
Enquiries:
Susan Charlton, Creative Producer
ph: (02) 8247 8660
Sue Newman, Project Officer - Aboriginal Liaison
ph: (02) 8247 8609
Mervyn Bishop, Community Officer - Aboriginal Liaison
mob: 0408 247 745
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