09 October 2023. Little Richard in Newcastle. Scott Bevan Interviews Gionni Di Gravio Archivist from the University of Newcastle for ABC1233 Drive Show. Discusses famous Little Richard's jewellery throwing epiphany off the Stockton Punt into Newcastle harbour in October 1957. Was it truth or fiction? For more information see: https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2023/09/30/little-richard-timeline/

Did Little Richard throw his rings into Newcastle Harbour Off the Stockton Punt; Fact or Fantasy?

Dr Ann Hardy, Co-ordinator of the GLAMx Lab with Special Collections in the Auchmuty Library of the University of Newcastle talks about the Rosary Convent, Waratah  - Archives (1888-1979) with ABC Radio Drive presenter Kia Handley (14 August 2023)

Dr Ann Hardy talks on Rosary Convent, Waratah with ABC Drive Kia Handley (14 August 2023)

Kimika: Alright. So today we are happy to have Ron Boyd with us on our podcast interview. I am Kimika.
Makayla: And I am Makayla.
Kimika: So, can you briefly introduce yourself, like your full name and where you're from, etcetera?
Ron: Yeah. My name is Ron Boyd. I'm an honorary associate professor of Earth Sciences here at the University of Newcastle. I live in Newcastle, and I've done a lot of research work in that area, but I've also been a university professor in the United States, Canada, Germany and other places. And I'm a marine geologist, so that's my short background.
Kimika: Alright, thank you for your brief introduction. So now we'll start the questions. So as a geologist, what are your primary areas of research? Could you provide a brief overview of your work?
Ron: Sure. Well, start off with talking about geology itself. It's a word that comes from ancient Greek. Geo means earth, and logos means study, so a geologist studies the earth. That's what he does. There are many different brands or avenues of geology. And so, the one that I work on the most is marine geology and sedimentology. So, I work a lot in the ocean, and I work a lot on the types of rocks that are eroded from one place transported to another, deposited and built up there. That actually makes up about 70% of the Earth's surface of sedimentary rocks. And most of the sedimentary rocks originally are deposited in the ocean, so it covers a fairly broad, broad sphere, so that's the general area that I work in. A brief overview of my work probably is best described in terms of a little bit of history, I think. So, I originally grew up in Newcastle and went down to Sydney, to study marine geology and I worked on the sediments of the NSW coastline and the ocean immediately offshore. After I graduated, I moved to the United States, and I started doing research on the Mississippi Delta. And its history and how it came to be there. After that, I moved to Canada and I started to do some research about glaciers and climate change, and how that climate change formed the sediments in Nova Scotia, which is where I was located. After that, I moved to Germany, and I did work on the Ocean Drilling program. So, I went out and drilled the bottom of the ocean, in the Indian Ocean. Then I came back to Australia, and I worked on estuaries, so these are the areas around Newcastle like Port Stephens or the Hunter River or Lake Macquarie. I worked on coal because there's a lot of coal around in the Hunter Valley, how it formed and what type of coal there are, there are. I worked on mapping the bottom of the ocean again. Then I went and did some oil and gas exploration with a company in Canada and the United States. And then finally, I've come back to work in Newcastle again, working on the local coast here, some geo-tourism activities, and looking at [the] water supply in the local area. So, you can see quite a varied range of topics to work on overtime.

#AskAGeologist - Question 1

Makayla: So the interview is coming to a close. In the end, what advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in conservation?
Kimika: It's a hard question, haha.
Amir: Yeah. Look, I mean, conservation is a fantastic job. But it needs a lot of patience and a lot of study. So it is not the type of a job that, like you studied for four years and you become a conservator. It needs years and years of experiencing, and years and years of learning, and being humbled to learn. And at times, it may not be easy to find a job that you like. Because I mean, like how many artistic institutions or the GLAM sector, I mean, you can see in every country. But if you're interested, it can show you, it never gets boring. Like every day you have some new things to learn and to apply. And yeah, just needs perseverance and lots of learning.
Makayla: OK, got it. I believe not only us, but the listeners as well, understand this. In fact, everyone in their daily life has a bit of [a] conservator role. The difference is while people protect what’s important to them, but Amir, as a professional conservator, protects items that are important to the nation.
Amir: Conservatives are more important for greater number of people, yeah.
Makayla: OK, so our podcast interview comes to [an] end, so thank you Amir for being willing to join us.
Amir: Thank you very much.
Kimika: Yeah, it has been meaningful for us. Thank you very much.
Amir: Thank you.
Makayla: Thank you so much.
Kimika: Thank you.

#AskAConservator - Question 7

Kimika: So now how do you feel about your current job as a conservator, and what changes do you think will occur in your field in the future?
Amir: Well, I mean, I think changes are now already happening like one thing that's you can talk about in relation to conservation is development of the equipment and the tools that you can use, like well, when I started my work as a junior conservator back in Iran, we were working in the stone site, if you want to check [, the word is] Persepolis. So Persepolis is like a big monument and like collection of palaces and all of that, which goes back to like something between 500 to 300 BC because it's been like developing throughout the time…Anyway that was made of stone, so at the time the tools for working on the stone was chisel and hammer. Not that we did it because, like, it needed a very strong, experienced person. But as a student, we tried it out to see how possible it is. And it was [a] very difficult job to do, so have that in mind, I have migrated and all of that. Few years later, if you recall, like after the Syrian domestic war and ISIL and all of that, like they've been exploding, a lot of archaeological sites and all of that, they came like the question of restoring those sites. And then there came a company developing a robotic arm that works as a tool instead of the chisel, so it could cut the entire statue just by having a digital image of that and then it just created the replication of that. So you see, like I mean [we use the] chisel and hammer [to work] for many, many years, then this robotic arm [does] the job in a few hours or a day at max. So yeah, technology is a big thing. But I think you still need to have human involvement, scientific and philosophical knowledge, and understanding in the field of conservation. And that's because every single project has its own needs and you cannot ask ChatGPT to help you with that…I mean, ChatGPT can give you on the things that answer on the on the subjects that have handbooks. But in conservation you have handbooks, but bigger part is your improvision like thinking that, “OK, So what are the solution in this particular case?”, and yeah, I think that's still be something that human should do.
Kimika: Thank you very much.

#AskAConservator - Question 6

Kimika: Among the projects that you have been involved in, are there any that have left a particularly strong impression on you? If so, can you give us an example of that?
Amir: Yes. Like, years ago, I was working in a community project back in Newcastle, Christchurch Cathedral in the town. We came across with the university archivist, we came across a disintegrated Australian flag, which was stored in a shoebox in a shelf, in the church. And it was to an extent that, like, we were thinking that it's beyond any restoration measure, and like there is this kind of principle…I mean, I don't know if it is still there, but there is kind of principle that if you have lost more than 50% of the original item, generally, it's not worth a restoration. In this project, we thought that, well, it is lost and like we have lost more than 50%, but the item is highly significant. So we need to find something to do for the item. So to cut the long story short, in this project I was more of a leading role, like a coaching role rather than like working on the item myself, and we applied it from the series of fundings we applied. We worked with the church group that was dedicated to it and all of that. And after like 3 1/2 years we managed to restore the flag. I mean, I can say the experience of the flag rather than flag itself, and it came across that it was one of the earlier Australian flags. So it’s like made in 1900, which was very significant regarding the Australian history, and it is now being on display in the cathedral, so I would suggest if you want to go to the Christchurch cathedral [and] have a picture of that. It would be very interesting to see that object. And yeah, the whole experience, the stories that has been unfolded about the flag - It was a flag that was used in World War One in the Western Front and all of that. So [it was an] emotional experience, and the collaboration with the church group and other community members was also a great experience.
Makayla: Thank you.

#AskAConservator - Question 5

Makayla: OK, so next [question]. We are in a very digital era now, and many museums are digitizing their collection. From your experience, what do you think are the advantages and limitations of digital preservation compared to traditional preservation methods?
Amir: First of all, I need to clarify something. Digital preservation is a different thing than digitization. Digital preservation generally, in consideration, digital preservation, we mean measures that you do for preserving digital born or digitized material. So it's mainly like IT and making sure that like the platform is not obsolete, and like you can't, or you don't have digital degradation all of that - So that's one part. Digitalization for preservation is something else which I think is the main subject of your question. There are benefits and limitations, as you said. Like, one benefit is that, with digitization, people can have access to the item from [a] distance. So if someone wants to just see an item or like [want to] have a very basic understanding of the item, they don't need to go to the museum and you can just check out the digital representation of that. Also, it would reduce, like, from the conservation perspective, it would reduce the amount of human contact to the original object. So, say, for example, you get a very fragile item and people want to study that, but they are not like [in] the type of study [field] that they are [supposed to or] they want to do - It has nothing to do with the materiality of the item - They only want to see the shape of item, so the digitized version of the item would help to have lesser handling [and] lesser manipulation of the item, so from that perspective it is good. It's also good that if you have a precise digital reproduction of the item, it would help any future conservation if you have like, the original item [being damaged]. But like any other technology, there are negatives to it as well- limitations as well. First of all, like especially with visual arts, digital doesn't communicate the original colors that your eyes can see, so it is very hard to capture exactly what is [trying to convey]. Say, the painting has like, the original painting, [it] communicates with the visitor, with the person who is experiencing the item physically. And [in comparison to] its digital reproduction, you can check it out…Like, I mean, find any famous works of art and you can see that there are different tones and shades of color depending on how they have been digitized. Also, digital doesn't give you the sense of size. So you see like, for example like with Mona Lisa, you think of how big [it] should be, and then when you physically go [to the museum], and [you might] say that “Oh, that's not so big” and all of that. So the impression that you get from digital can be subject of the quality of digitization, the ideas of digitizers, their interests…All of that. And the other issue with digital is that the thing that I explained earlier with digital preservation. Because when you digitize an item and it goes on the digital platform from the moment that it is digitized, it starts degrading. And you lose bits and pixels from it. So it takes a lot of time, energy, money and interest in keeping the digital item as original as the moment that you have digitized. So yeah, so like anything else, like there are negatives and positives. Basically I need to emphasize that you need to think of digital as a tool, not as a solution, [just so] you know.

#AskAConservator - Question 4

Glenn Cook PART 1

Glenn Cook PART 2

Nat Jeffrey is a well known Novocastrian who worked at NBN Television in Newcastle during the 1980s and 90s, firstly as a weatherman and later as a morning show host. We thank Nat for his generosity in sharing his story working in the television industry.

Nat Jeffrey

April 25th is a day we commemorate all ANZACs who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. Originally intended to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in the Gallipoli campaign of World War I, it has since become a broader moment of national reflection. By Dr Amir Moghadam.  

https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2025/04/16/gallipoli-letters-and-lenses-accounts-from-archives/

Gallipoli: Letters and Lenses, Accounts from the Archives

George Brown was interviewed by Andrew Mercado on March 18, 2025, via Zoom from his Queensland residence, George's career at NBN began with the station's 1962 launch, where he served as a trainee technician and was involved in the first outside broadcast. Progressing to promotions manager and the sales team, he later became General Manager of NBN in the 1980s. Under the mentorship of chairman of the board Ken Stone for 12 months, George Brown became a "mover and shaker" in the industry, gaining extensive experience across all levels and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by metropolitan, non-metropolitan, and provincial television sectors.

George Brown

Interview conducted in 1987 by Margaret Blackman with Thomas Parkinson about his life working in coal mines. Born 1915, came to Australia in 1922. Started work in Hebburn Colliery 24 January 1929. 

Margaret Henry Oral History Project-Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.
 
The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections.
 
If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.
 
These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

Coal Mining in the Northern Coalfields: Depression - Thomas Parkinson - 1987

Interview by Robyn Cagney in 1987 with Mr Mick Frame about the influences of Miners’ Lodges on the local community of Hunter coalfields. Mick Frame was a community leader, former Deputy Lord Mayor of Cessnock, Former Lodge Treasurer at Abermain Mines, and retired mine worker.  He worked in the mining industry for 47 years, starting aged 13 at Hebburn No.2 in 1924, and finishing at Newvale colliery at Lake Macquarie in 1971. He recalls his experiences and participation in the Rothbury Riots. Mick talks about the history of Lodges, their contribution to the local community, particularly the establishment of Kurri Kurri Hospital when it was identified that medical support was needed after mining accidents.  The early hospital had 5 beds, this was a building on the corner of Rawson and Alexander Streets, Kurri Kurri. Miners paid a contribution towards medical services, and also supported the establishment of libraries and School of Arts.  

Another interview with Mick Frame is available here and is part of the Voices of the Hunter series  https://soundcloud.com/uoncc/096b-frame?in=uoncc/sets/voth

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.
The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Influences of Miners’ Lodges on local community - Mick Frame - 1987

TAPE 025A    Stella Bradstreet.    Recorded  15 June 1981.  Part 1 of 2.

Time period covered: 1900-1955

Stella (Amy May) is wife of Theo Bradstreet and they were married in Newcastle. Tom’s wife, Connie contributes to the discussion.
 1:34 
Their children are Boy, Tom, John, Stella and Pat (Theo’s daughter before he married Stella).

They married in Waratah. He started Brambles in 1924 in Newcastle.

Son John was 48 at the time of recording and was born in Newcastle. Boy was 54 at the time of recording. 
2:16 
Theo was from Melbourne. He went to the Boer War from Melbourne and was in the 1st Lighthorse Brigade when he was 16. He went exploring gold in the Victorian Goldfields and he joined Boy and Tom when they went digging in Muswellbrook. 
4:39 
Alec McDonald wrote a book in which “The Shadow” is used as a nickname for Theo. 
5:20 
When Stella first came to Cessnock she stayed at Mrs Love’s Boarding House on the corner of Regent and Hall Streets.
6:10 
She then went to the hospital to have her child and eventually to Kennedy’s on Shalimar Street. She was there till Theo died.
7:16 
Theo managed Abermain Theatre for Mr Smith. 
8:20 
Theo was put in hospital and led the Lighthorse Brigade – he organised a procession for Civic Week in Newcastle. Civic Theatre. He was the Hon Treasurer of the Newcastle Aero Club. 
12:45 
Theo had previously organized children’s picnic in Wollombi – and trips to the Lake.  He provided transport for people to places like Arcadia.
15:13 
Jack reads an article about Theo’s life including info about him starting Brambles and starting his own garage in 1927/28. Called The Commonwealth Motor Garage at 41 Hunter Street West. In 1932 he was appointed manager of Young and Green’s Car Sell Park in Cessnock in Edward St. Cessnock.

In 1945, in the wake of World War 2, the T.J. Bradstreet Allandale Road Motor House was opened – a Rootes group ownership.
16:51 
Following Theo’s death in 1955, Tom and Boy Bradstreet took over the dealership. Eventually the premises moved to 250 Maitland Road Cessnock. The firm became known as Cessnock Toyota in 1969. After 1975 the Mercedes Benz franchise was added. Then the Cardiff Toyota came about in 1977.

Muswellbrook and Edgeworth have since been added to them.
18:35 
Theo was interested in the Melbourne game Australian Rules.

He used to walk to work – he was never still. He was good to everyone.
20:44 
Theo used to look after the elderly. His mother was Lizzie O’Brien – they had The Store and a hotel at Yarrawonga in Vic.
23:24 
Stella’s father was from Yorkshire, England with name of Oates. Her brother was Henry (Harry) Oates was the Secretary of Goninan’s. The other brother was in the railway. Harold, her brother was a fitter and turner and then married Norah Russell and they went into the Crown and Anchor Hotel.  
25:10 
Stella’s mother’s maiden name was Charlton from Murrurundi.

Wal Young. A friend of Stella's brother Harry. 
27:57 
Prospecting. Arnhem land.  
29:24 
“The first car to get to the Barrington Tops” pulling the car up before there were roads. 

“Wizard” Smith – pub in The Eagle in possibly 1952.
31:55 
She first met Theo at Newcastle Post Office. Everyone thought he was too worldly wise for her (being 12 years younger). She was a comptometrist at Goninan’s. “All the years she’s been around cars, she’s never driven.” Theo said “I’m just where I wanted to be all my life” and Theo died in March 1955. 
 45:54
End (Tape 25/ Side A) Part 1 of 2
---
Please contact us if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.

Stella Bradstreet (1904-1984) - Wife of Theo, owner car dealership. Part 1/2. 15 Jun 1981.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Mrs Gladys Shearer & her memories of childhood days in Singleton in 1920s

Interview by Elizabeth Cox in 1987 with Eric Merrion from Merrion’s Cardiff Bakery a family business 1922 - 1977. Eric discusses his father Herbert working for William Arnott of Arnott's Biscuit Factory and his fathers determination to start his own business. There were many changes in technology in the baking industry including the later take over of many small bakers by multinationals. 

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Merrion’s Cardiff Bakery- Eric Merrion - 1987

Interview by Raelee Caswell in 1989 with Sister Catarina Heffernan about the Dominican Order of Nuns (at Rosary Convent Waratah). The Dominican Order of Nuns established a convent in West Maitland in 1867, this was a two storey building in Grant Street. The nuns took over education of the Catholic children at St John's school located across the road. In Newcastle the Star of the Sea Convent  was established in 1873, and in 1888 another convent was set up in Waratah for education of deaf children. Sister Heffernan entered the order in 1939, at age 18, she had Dominican associations as her mother and two sisters had been educated at Maitland, and two of her great aunts were Dominican nuns. She discusses the changes Dominican Order of Nuns and institution in Newcastle and Maitland, teaching arrangements, and the decline in nuns at the convent in the 1970s.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Dominican Order of Nuns at Waratah, NSW - Sr Catarina Heffernan - 16 Aug 1989

Interview by Gloria Higginbottom in 1989 with Colin Johnston about High Street Maitland and family business, Johnston's Shoe Store. Colin was born in 1917 at the family home "Ruperstone" in Stuart Street, Lorn. He attended Nillo Public School and later Maitland Primary School.  Colin's grandparents opened a shoe store in High Street Maitland in 1885 after their business in Tamworth had failed. The shoe store was managed by Sarah Johnston while her husband travelled throughout NSW as a representative for a shoe wholesaler, McMurtries.  Successive family members continued the business, Colin recalls the big flood of 1955 that inundated the Maitland area and the extensive damage done to local business' and homes. 

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Growth of High Street Maitland &  Johnston's shoe store - Colin Johnston - 11 August 1989

Interview by Tracie Thornberry in 1989 with Alexander 'Alec' Young about the history of Young & Green car sales business (1919 -1989). Alec attended Newcastle Boys High School at Waratah, during the 1940s he started working for his father mostly serving petrol out of bowsers.  Before General Motors Holden dealership was established Alec's father was selling cars imported from America, Marcus Clarke's were importing cars and Young & Green acted as agents for them.  The family also started the first tourist bureau in Newcastle, this was located opposite Newcastle railway station, in the park behind Customs House. The businesses expanded during the 1970s and 80s selling Holden, Mitsubishi , Honda, Isuzu, Mazda and Nissan vehicles and had six showrooms, these were at Raymond Terrace, Maitland, Hamilton, Newcastle, Belmont and Toronto. When the University of Newcastle was established Alex enrolled and completed Economics (Honours) and recalls being student "twenty one". Aled was also involved in many community and business organisations, he was Chair of the Hunter Development Board and Hunter Research Foundation. He reflects on the changing structure of industry in Australia  and the importance of being responsible in terms of the economy. 

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Young & Green - Alexander 'Alec' Young - 19 Aug 1989

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following interview contains audio of a deceased person. 

Interview by Randall Wiggers in 1989 with Horice “Horrie” Saunders about the history of Purfleet an Aboriginal Reserve near Taree, New South Wales. Horrie is an Aboriginal man who was born  in Wararah, a suburb of Newcastle in 1929, however moved to Karuah and went to live at Purfleet when he was 5. He describes what it was like to live on the Mission, the sports they played, their favourite swimming holes and the Aboriginal school he attended. 

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

History of Purfleet - Horice “Horrie” Saunders - 25 Aug 1989

Rise of Environmental Awareness in Australia - Selby Alley - 28 Sept 1989

Interview by Lisa Maree Williams in 1989 with Agnes Madeline James about the Abermain Eisteddfod. Agnes was born in Wales in 1907. The tradition of Eisteddfods was introduced in the coalfields by the Welsh immigrants in 1917 and Robert Hanley organised a small singing tournament at Abermain, this turned into an annual event known as the "Abermain Eisteddfod" and included singing, piano, violin, choirs and recitation. Agnes recalls the long history of this event that used to be held at the Picture Palace on Cessnock Road, later venues were the Star Picture theatre in the 1930s and the Plaza Hall in Abermain. She also mentions those who gained national and international success, such as dancers Elizabeth Toohey, Karen Barker, Robin Turner and Kendall Cameron.  The Abermain Eisteddfod in 1989 was in its 72nd year.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

Image- Courtesy Cultural Collections, University of Newcastle Library, Plaza Hall, home of the Abermain Eisteddfod, Abermain, NSW, [1965]


Abermain Eisteddfod - Agnes Madeline James - 29 July 1989

Interview by Dorothy Harrison in 1988 with David Bowtell about the Masonite Factory at Raymond Terrace. David was born in 1930 and attended Newcastle Tech. High, he recalls his early years in the suburb of Merewether, the pit paddocks near Hillcrest Hospital, the pit ponies, and
the 'coffee pot' which travelled from the Junction to Glenrock Lagoon. He also remembers the tram lines. David worked in the bank and in 1951 as a clerk with the masonite factory at Raymond Terrace, eventually becoming Assistant Purchasing Officer. David explains how masonite is produced, gives a history of the factory's management changes, employee conditions, his travels overseas and the talks about his own family history. 

Availability of timber, water, coal and electricity were the main reasons Raymond Terrace was chosen as the site for the first Masonite factory in Australia. In 1937 the Masonite Corporation (Aust) Limited was formed and purchased land at Raymond Terrace on the corner of Williamtown Road and Pacific Highway.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Masonite Factory at Raymond Terrace - David Bowtell - 9 Sept 1988

Interview by Katherine Granter in 1988 with Anna Buldecki about Greta Migrant Camp in 1952-53. Anna was a polish migrant who describes her experiences while in Greta Migrant camp, she describes her impressions of Australia after arriving from Germany.  She had been to camps at Bonegilla and Parkes in NSW before coming to Greta and prior to this had spent 10 years in German labour camps during WWII.  Anna describes what it was like living at Greta, and specifically working at the camp's hospital where some of the migrant doctors were allowed to work.  She describes the social organisation of the camp and the diverse nationalities there.  Anna's husband Alex eventually gained stable employment at BHP and the young family moved to Barnsley at Lake Macquarie.   

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

Image Courtesy Lake Macquarie Library history.lakemac.com.au  Mrs Anna Buldecki and daughter Irana at Barnsley 1950s. http://history.lakemac.com.au/page-local-history.aspx?pid=1085&vid=20&tmpt=showmedia&objid=3649


Greta Migrant Camp - Anna Buldecki - 24 Aug 1988

Interview by Gwyneth Robertson in 1987 with Marie Maddrell former employee of Winns, speaking about the history of Winns Ltd 1878-1980.  Marie started at Winns Department store on 24 May 1946 and was second in charge of the haberdashery department. She talks about Keith Winn as a wise and clever business person, "were a fantastic family to work for".  Had a female boss 'Beryl' who was very supportive, they were buyers for Winns and would travel to Sydney every week, also worked well with the buyers from other Newcastle stores. 

Harriett Johnson married James Isaac Winn in 1844. They sailed for Australia on the "Templar" in 1844, arriving in Sydney then sailed to Newcastle , where they settled in Cameron ' s Hill, Pit Town, now known as Hamilton. In 1855, James, who was a carpenter by trade, died, leaving Harriett a widow with four children to support. With little money and no financial security, Harriett opened a small store, possibly in part of her home. This was the first Winn's store.  Two brothers William and Isaac gained valuable experience in a prominent wholesale drapery warehouse in Melbourne, returning to Newcastle they opened a W. Winn & Co. with Mrs Aird (sister in law of William).  Winns was a successful business in Newcastle for most of the 20th Century, it went into liquidation in 1978 after 101 years trading.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 


History of Winns Ltd 1878-1980 - Marie Maddrell - 20 Sept 1987

Interview by Michael Williams in 1988 with his grandmother Hilma Maybury (nee Hancock) about her early life and family history. Hilma was born at Islington in 1912, she describes her great great grandparents Thomas and Mary Hancock coming to NSW in 1832, he was in charge of convicts and stationed at Paterson. Many of his descendants settled at Gresford. Her grandfather on the maternal side came out as a seaman and jumped ship at Newcastle later settling in Newcastle working as a bricklayer building Hamilton and Wickham Schools. Hilma describes growing up at 12 Hewison Street, Tighes Hill, stating it was a good place to grow up and describes the dance halls in Tighes Hill, including the Rosedale Hall in Maitland Road, the Buffulo Hall in Islington, as well as the Palais Royale in Hunter Street, Newcastle. She describes Tighes Hill before, during and after the Great Depression and her work at Lysaghts. In 1947 she started a small catering business at the Wool stores at Wickham and Carrington, at the same time she also began working at the Child Welfare Board acting as an escort of children needing to attend court hearings or institutions. In the 1960s Hilma opened a shop in Hannell Street selling morning tea and lunches, she was also a taxi driver in Newcastle during the 1960s and 70s.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au 

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here https://uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/  And you can directly donate here: https://dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Early life in Tighes Hill - Hilma Maybury - 2 April 1988

TAPE 331A CYRIL RENWICK  Recorded 14 September  1984. Part 1/2
Professor Renwick's talk at the Cessnock Historical Association. Former Professor at University of Newcastle, current Director Hunter Valley Research Foundation.
2:45
Parish of Wollombi, Rev. Elkin. 
3:27 
Cyril's father was Rector, Wollombi Parish from 1903-1907. Good recordkeeper.  
6:10
1960 became Director HVRF. Director RNH. Cyril given a lengthy introduction, a lengthy list of his contribution & achievements announced.
8:32
Prof. Renwick officially begins his address. Examines idea of 'history'.
9:30
Reporting of historical process, how research has changed. Reflects on events of WW2. Books cast completely new light on WWI. 
11:50 
Historic icons that invoke interpretation. Only experienced through your own way of doing it [history]
13:22
Reflect on family & life experience. Mother b. Broke. At an auction saw artwork by Conrad Martens that showed hut where mother was born.
14:35
Passage of time gives each person a different interpretation. Cyril's mother grew up in an environment with Aboriginal people. Surrounded by a large number of Aboriginals. Jimmy & Joe Governor (in bush around Broke) would shoot Aboriginal people, many Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal people would protect one another.
16:58
Retaliation of Colonial Government was extreme, they brought cannons to Denman from Sydney to fire upon the Governors. 
17:54
Cyril's g.father came from England, to Sydney, lived in Redfern making pottery. Works by these Australian artisans has been lost. New inhabitants didn't see NSW as 'home'. 
20:41
G.father when a boy ran away from Redfern to the diggings, gold mines, injured himself & returned home. He went in to the second intake to Sydney University & graduated Bachelor of Arts, later entered Medical Faculty, went to Edinburgh. Returned as a highly experienced doctor. 
22:38    
Paternal g.grandmother was daughter of a 'hotgosper' father Rev. John Saunders was chaplain to female convicts. Raised funds for first Congregational Church in Sydney. 
23:40
G.father brilliant as an educator, wealthy & great benefactor. Become Minister for Lands & later Minister for Education. 
25:26
Great desire of G.father was for father to go to Oxford University to work on the 'bar' as a lawyer. Instead he joined the clergy.  High Church connections.
27:17
Knowledge of Latin & Greek, history & politics was essential to become a Clergy. Life as a scholar.  Spent 6 months at Morpeth prior to appointment at Parish at Wollombi. 
29:21
Describes on father's adjustment to living at Wollombi. Travel to visit parishioners.
30:26
Parents meet at Broke, later moved to Wallsend. Bishop Burgmann.
31:15
Cyril born in Gosford in 1920, father died 1927. Mother lived until quite old.
32:39 
Educated at Gosford Public High School, University of Sydney. Earned a bursary & scholarship. Always in 'A' class. Studied Latin, French, science, history.
34:28
Not much exposure to art & culture. Would read father's books, father a fine pianist. By age 17 Cyril at a cross roads.
35:55
Two people influenced Cyril during his education, topped classes. 
37:06
Recollection of Sydney University.   Bust of G.father at the University.       
37:52
Father at Wollombi organised stain glass windows for church, however damaged in flood. Warriors Chapel.
38:52
G.father presented to Medical School stained glass windows.
39:39 
Keen social conscientious.
41:00
Offered position at Sydney University. Recollections of staff at the Sydney University. Gained confidence in teaching from a young age.
43:30
Recollections of the HVRF, & involvement in establishment of University of Newcastle.
44:08
End (Tape 331/Side A)
---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, & have cultural or other reservations about the interview & summary being made available on this website & would like to discuss this with us.


Cyril Renwick (1920-2010) - Hunter Valley Research Foundation. Recorded 14 Sep 1984. Part 1/2

072B  Miss Molly Deasy  Recorded 13 December 1977.  Part 2 of 2.

0:09 
Morris O'Shea.

Rothbury Creek.

"Terrace Vale".

Frank O'Connor.
 
Bill DeByers.

8:30 
Aubrey Wilkinson.

Jack Matthews.

Lou Matthews.

12:56 
Bernhard McCosker.

Bill Phillips.

George Phillips.

Andy Phillips.

Owen Matthews.

15:38 
Clarrie Matthews.

Frank "Sticky" Phillips.

Jack Bush.

Tom Murphy.

Brian Redgrove.

18:15 
Murray Tyrrell.

Fr. Troy.

Jack Wilson.

20:34 
Joan Wilson.

Ken Moore.

Norman Moore.

30:14 
Nellie McNamara.

George Slade.

31:21
End (Tape 72/Side B) Part 2 of 2.


---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.


Molly Deasy (1886-1990) - Branxton grazier. Recorded 13 December 1977. Part 2/2.

Caution: Some coarse language.

For a summary of this recording, please see https://downloads.newcastle.edu.au/library/cultural%20collections/voth/pdf/154A_RabLewis_sum.pdf

---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.


Rab Lewis (1906-1999) - Manager, Rover Motors, Cessnock. Recorded 30 June 1978. Part 1/2.

George Ryder was born at Tinga in 1906. He moved to Cessnock in 1925 at the age of nineteen and began driving motor buses for Ditton & Hill, who were early operators in the area. By 1929, and only four years later, he was running his own bus company, Rover Motors, which he had purchased from Les Hill. He had also acquired other small runs in the area which were then absorbed by Rover Motors. In his spare time Mr Ryder excelled at many sports, namely tennis and golf. He was also President of the Cessnock Rugby League Club when they won their first premiership in 1942. George Ryder was also involved in horse racing and has been a member of the Sydney Turf Club board for 37 years, the last three as chairman. He also was owner of the Woodlands and Kiora estate stud farms.

For a summary of this recording, please see https://downloads.newcastle.edu.au/library/cultural%20collections/voth/pdf/245a_GeorgeRyder_sum.pdf
---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.


George Ryder (1906-1989)- Rover Motors Owner - Recorded 21st August, 1983 - 1/2

Time period covered:  1915-1940
John Reginald 'Jack' Wood was born at Cessnock in 1908 the son of William Woods who worked at Aberdare Extended Colliery. Jack Wood began working at Aberdare Extended in 1922 where he recalls the many pit horses which worked at the colliery.

For a summary of this recording, go to: https://downloads.newcastle.edu.au/library/cultural%20collections/voth/pdf/246B_JackWoods_sum.pdf
---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.

Jack Wood (1908-1984) - Mine Worker - Recorded 7 February 1978 - Part 1/1

Interview by Ross Craig in 1996 with 98 year old Norman Bassan, resident of Stockton. Norman talks about his early years in Sydney, he attended Sydney High School and later joined the 'Lighthorse' giving accounts of his and brother Les' experiences during WWI.

The Pat and Ross Craig Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes that are part of a wider collection about the history of Stockton (Pat and Ross Craig Archive).

The oral history tapes have been digitised and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The Pat and Ross Craig Archive contains various sources including photographs and documents relating to Stockton, Newcastle and its surrounds is an incredible legacy to the Craig Family.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Pat and Ross Craig Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections.

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/ And you can directly donate here: dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/


Norman Bassan-interview by Ross Craig- 1996

351B  Alec Spink  Recorded  05 March 1986.  Part 2 of 2.

0:19
Began working at Tipton Colliery.

0:27
Location of Tipton Colliery, Maitland.

0:42
Beatties Pit.

0:53
Bloomfield Colliery.

1:17
Ashtonfield Colliery.

1:37
Gretley Pit.

2:13
Tipton Pit originally worked by convicts.

2:25
Recalls re-opening of Tipton Pit and they used to hand wheel all the coal.

3:36
Recollection of 'heading" at Tipton Pit.

4:00
A "spider" is a candle was stuck in at this point in the wall for lighting. It was a length of twisted wire attached to a piece of timber on the wall.

5:20
Description of underground workings at Tipton.

6:52
Recall evidence of underground furnace.

8:22
Reason for using brattice in furnace for exchange ventilation. Fan shaft.

9:24
There were two tunnels at Aberdare Extended.

9:40
Recollection of tunnels, Aberdare Extended.

10:49
Reticulation of electricity to mines.

11:08
Power station opened at Cockle Creek in 1927 - it serviced pits in the Killingworth area.

12:04
Recalls using horses to erect baulks.

12:20
Description of erecting baulks.
Recalls method of erecting workings.
Recalls difference in workings between pits.

16:39
Recollection of rope splicers, Aberdare.

16:46
Johnnie Allan.

17:06
Recalls length of endless rope - a mile and a quarter.

18:42
Mossy Thompson and Alec worked together at Extended.
Recollection of pit fall, Aberdare Extended.

19:19
Wilson Barrett at Little Cessnock.

21:00
Recalls mining of barriers at Aberdare Extended in 1956. An earth and timber fill was put in the cut throughs - making a solid barrier and a new pit beyond.

23:49
Harold Dodds worked at Aberdare. Working in dusty conditions.

24:12
Recalls underground safety methods - pyrites and spontaneous combustion.

25:27
Carl Bates.
Recalls sealing of Aberdare Central.

27:20
Recollection of underground accident.

28:21
Recollection of fall-in at Newvale.

30:13
Ray Burgess.

30:39
Billy Chappell.

31:03
Les Vaisey.

31:38
Recollection of mining accident - pulling a man out from under a stone fall.

34:43
Snowy Dawson.

35:15
Describes feeling of pit fall-in.

35:42
Recollection of pit fall-in at Newstan during the afternoon shift.

36:51
Dixie Field.

37:52
End (Tape 351/Side B)  Part 2 of 2
---
Please email archives@newcastle.edu.au if you are a subject of the interview, or know a subject of the interview, and have cultural or other reservations about the interview and summary being made available on this website and would like to discuss this with us.


Alec Spink (1918-1999) - Mine worker, Aberdare Central Colliery. Recorded 5 March 1986. Part 2/2.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following audio recording may contain audio of deceased persons and have content that some may find upsetting. 

This is a short version of an interview by Shay Kelly in 1989 with her mother Annie Whilamena Kelly (nee Wright)about her life. A longer version of the interview is available here  https://soundcloud.com/uoncc/life-story-of-aboriginal-woman-annie-whilamena-kelly-3-sept-1989?in=uoncc/sets/margaret-henry-oral-history

Annie was born in 1909 at Callaghan Swamps near Inglebar and was brought up by her grandmother Sarah Wright, who was born in 1838 and lived to 104. She married Richard Kelly and they moved out of their tribal area between the New England tablelands and Kempsey to Newcastle. She made great sacrifice to move away from her people, although this was an enormous adjustment she did so with hope that her future generations would do well. This is a very moving interview where Annie speaks about her Aboriginal family, her hardship, but also her achievements and delights in the success of her children.

The Margaret Henry Oral History Archive is a collection of audio tapes, transcripts, summaries and essays that were part of the Oral Histories Open Foundation Course (1986-1989). Margaret Henry was a history lecturer at the UON in the 1980s.

The oral history tapes have been digitised by Cultural Collections, UON Library and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of The Vera Deacon Regional History Fund.

The wider collection of Margaret Henry Oral History Archive – over 220 in total and with many stories of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and its surrounds and records voices describing the Regions cultural, intellectual and social life. It is an incredible legacy to Margaret Henry.

The original audio tapes and written sources are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Margaret Henry Oral History Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections at archives@newcastle.edu.au

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/ And you can directly donate here: dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

Life story of Aboriginal woman Annie Whilamena Kelly - 1989 (short version)

Aboriginal Education National Conference, at the University of Newcastle, 1986.

Held from the 23rd-24th October 1986, it featured well known Aboriginal leader, academics, and notable identities discussing education within the Indigenous Australian Community's.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following program may contain images and voices of people who have died.

The “Newcastle Recordings” is a collection of audio recordings from the late Margaret Henry (1931-2015). Margaret was a history lecturer at the UON and then in the Department of Community Programmes where she was responsible for the Open Foundation course in the 1980s. 

As an academic at Newcastle University, she is remembered very fondly as a mentor and supportive influence by hundreds of mature aged students and in particular women students. She was responsible for the establishment of innovative new courses and involved the department and her students in many local social and environmental campaigns. She is especially remembered for mentoring Indigenous students and her active involvement in the establishment of indigenous studies at the university.

She encouraged generations of Novocastrians to engage in history and cultural heritage of the region. These recordings document various aspects of life in Newcastle, from education at the University of Newcastle to public meetings and campaigns from 1975 to 1995.

The cassette tapes have been digitised and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of the University of Newcastle Library, Cultural Collections archives@newcastle.edu.au.

The wider collection of UON recordings can also be found on Soundcloud. We thank Margaret’s family for giving many of these interviews to Cultural Collections so they can be made available to the wider community.

The original audio recordings are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “Newcastle Recordings Collection, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections.

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

These sources are provided free of charge to the global community thanks to the generosity of the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund. Information about the Vera Deacon History Fund is here uoncc.wordpress.com/vera-deacon-fund/ And you can directly donate here: dotnet.newcastle.edu.au/donations/

"The Need for Aboriginal Professionals" - Dr Eve Fesl

The UON recordings archive is a collection of interviews and recordings documenting various aspects of the University of Newcastle from 1975 to 1995.

The oral history tapes have been digitised and made freely available to the wider global research community thanks to the generosity of the University of Newcastle Library, Cultural Collections archives@newcastle.edu.au.

The wider collection of UON recordings can also be found on Soundcloud. We thank 2NURFM for giving many of these interviews to Cultural Collections so they can be made available to the wider community.

The original audio recordings are held in Cultural Collections at the Auchmuty Library, University of Newcastle (Australia).

You are welcome to use the sources for study and personal research purposes. Please acknowledge as Courtesy of the “UON Recordings Archive, University of Newcastle (Australia)" For commercial requests you must obtain permission by contacting Cultural Collections.

If you are the subject of the stories, or know the subject of the stories, and have cultural or other reservations about the stories available on this website and would like to discuss this with us please contact Cultural Collections.

If you have any further information on the audio files, please leave a comment.

SOURCE photograph from linkedin.com

Anesthesia and Intensive Care - Professor Geoff Cutfield Inaugural Lecture

University of Newcastle - CMNS3333 Multi-platform Journalism (2020)

Audio for CMNS3333 assessment remaking News stories that went to air on NBN Television 1970.

NBN Television Archive - GLAMx Living Histories Digitisation Lab, Auchmuty Library, Australia

Victory Lap Loop - CMNS3333

For extra content go to: http://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au 
Special Collections in the Auchmuty Library is the home of the historical and cultural memory of the University of Newcastle (Australia) and its regional context. Formerly known as the University Archives, Rare Books & Special Collections Unit.

UONCC

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