The 2012 Hunter Heritage Network seminar was held in historic Murrurundi in the upper Hunter valley.
We have to say – Murrurundi is gob-smackingly beautiful – it pulls all the punches – museums, historic homesteads, generations of families on the land, horse breeders, restaurants, outrageously gorgeous landscapes, burning mountains! - and, people who run as wolves – local heroes – local people – shepherding their town, their existence – from the ravages of mining and unfettered speculation.
We featured a range of interesting talent from the Upper Hunter, who shared their knowledge and their experiences with our Network. They included:
Welcome to the Upper Hunter from Mayor Lee Watts
Pride of Place: Murrurundi – Peter Carlin, Murrurundi Chamber Of Commerce Representative
Pros & Cons of Bickham Mine on Heritage- Peter Haydon Chairman of Bickham Coal Action Group & Owner Haydon Horse Stud
“A Peak in the Past” All about Community, Radio Presentation – Mandy Archibald
Preservation and change in historical documents with the advent of the computer age – Des Dugan from the Murrurundi Historical Society
LUNCH WITH THE “MURRATONES”
State Heritage Update – Cameron White from the NSW Heritage Office.
Heritage Landscapes Under Threat; Stroud Gloucester Valley and the Vale of Gloucester- Garry Smith, Historian and Environmental Consultant
Merriwa Historical Society: Merriwa Railway Station Restoration – Bryan Baker
Celebrating Murrurundi: Heritage Brochures, Local tours/ Murrurundi Museum Exhibitions/ walks/ site visits – Upper Hunter Shire Council Heritage Advisor Lillian Cullen
Today Minister for the Hunter Jodi McKay announced the launch of the Newcastle Time team and an archaeological test dig for the foundation stone laid of the Breakwater laid by Governor Macquarie during his visit to Newcastle.
It was announced that the James Fletcher Hospital site, which was the site of the Miklitary barracks and hospital and parade ground, will finally be listed on the State Heritage Register of New South Wales. A very long overdue addition to the State register.
Congratulations to the Hunter Region committee of the National Trust and those involved in getting these wonderful heritage initiatives off the ground.
The Hunter Bona Fide History Awards – nominations open for 2012
We are delighted to announce that nominations for the next round of the Hunter Bona Fide History Awards are now open. The award winners will be announced in April 2012, so start writing your heritage reports, desigining the most splendid adaptive reuse projects, and preparing your local histories - now! Nominations will close off in late February 2012 so start planning your project entry now. Check back here for an application form and judging criteria in mid 2011, and until then, keep producing bona fide stuff.
The Hunter Heritage Network is thrilled to announce the winners of the inaugural Hunter Bonafide Awards! The Awards also inspire people to use the Hunter’s rich heritage as a catalyst for innovative design and scholarship.
The patron of the Hunter Bonas is Ms Margaret Henry. Ms Henry has been a long champion of heritage values in the Newcastle and Hunter area and a champion of local history. Ms Henry is a leader and advocate of conservation of the important cultural places that enrich the Hunter and Ms Henry’s support and encouragement forms the inspiration of the Hunter Bonafide Awards today.
The jury wishes to say it is humbled by the people of the Hunter who continue to champion history and heritage. Congratulations to all who participated in these awards!
The jury wished to acknowledge many more entrants and nominees and hopes that these people will be inspired to consider the awards next year – and encourages all of our kindred spirits to keep going.
These awards are in honour of all the fabulous and inspiring people in the Hunter region - doing Bonafide things.
Congratulations to everyone.
And the winners are:
Perpetual Bona – for Outstanding achievement in the service of history and heritage in the Hunter region
We were thrilled that all three recipients attended the ceremony. Our three winners take out TOP HONOURS in the Inaugural Bonafide awards for their unflinching committment to heritage conservation, service to research, and selflessness to local history and heritage in our region over a thirty year period. We wish to honour Carl, Margret and Ed for their invaluable contribution over many, many years.
The Perpetual Bona is hereby bestowed upon:
Mr Carl and Ms Margret Doring
Mr Ed Tonks
Golden Bona – Best Adaptive Reuse of a Heritage building or historic place for:
Bacchus Restaurant, 141 King Street Newcastle
The jury made special mention of
Sprocket Roasters cafe, adapted by Ross and Chelsea D’Aoust at 68 Hunter Street Newcastle; and
Maitland Gaol interpetative centre by Maitland City Council and Special Mention of Mr Gordon Sauber
Academic Bona – Best academic history based upon a local historical theme
Mr Les Reedman – for his exemplary work on the architects of the Hunter valley
The jury made special mention of
Fr Brian Roach
Dr Cameron Archer, Principal of Tocal Agricultural College
Deadly Bona – Best Indigenous History Monograph, article or digital work
Professor John Maynard
The jury made special mention of
Professor John Ramsland
Commemorative Bona – Best Commemorative History, event or site interpretation of a local historical theme
Dr Troy Duncan, Ann Dunn and Rosemary Melville – for their excellent publication on the history of the Newcastle Grammar School, released in 2010
The jury made special mention of
Ms Cynthia Hunter
The Moyle Family Group of Hotels for their valuable and insightful displays in their Hunter region hotels including the Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield
Family Bona – Best Family History Monograph
Newcastle Family History Society
Studious Bona – Best Student Paper, design project, or article – including architecture projects, interior design, drafting or colour projects featuring local heritage or history
Ms Ann Hardy – dissertation on the Government House Newcastle
The jury made special mention of
Hunter River High School Life Services students who undertook an outstanding history project with the Raymond Terrace and District historical Society
Amateur Bona – Best history by an amateur historian
Mr Jack Delaney – publications and history of the ming heritage of the Hunter region
Performing Bona – Best fictional tale or dramatic production based on a local historical theme
Mr Colin Spiers – A Slender Strand of Memories (2009)
The jury made special mention of
Mr Brian Joyce – Sightsoundminded (2010)
James Witchard, Erika Gelzinnis and Students – Where the Coal meets the Sea (2008)
Virtual Bona – Most popular and/or thought provoking social networking site, blog or wesbite on local heritage and history
Creator Facebook “Save the Bogey Hole” - Sam Urquhart
The symbol of the Bonas - The Obelisk, is portrayed on the winner's certificates and as the trophy itself
Media Bona – Best media piece or article featuring local history or heritage
Mr Mike Scanlon, for his wonderful history pieces over a long period of time writing for the Herald
The jury made special mention of
ABC 1233 Treasure Hunter – creator and producers – this is an award to acknowledge the new on the scene talent and broad appeal of this wonderfully original radio show
Back Bona – in recognition of the volunteering services of groups and individuals who volunteer their time to the promotion and conservation of local heritage and history
Volunteers of the Newcastle Region Maritime Centre (the Newcastle Region Maritime Society) – what the Society does on a shoestring is very worthy of this Bona
No Bona – For the most inappropriate development upon a heritage place
The jury refrained from naming individuals in this category – but awarded the No Bona to the inappropriate actions, decisions and deeds done to the Newcastle Post Office (former) over the last 10 years.
Award ceremony – gallery
Professor John Maynard warmly welcoming us to country
And then we crowned Marg Henry as the Patron Saint of the Inaugural Hunter Bonas Awards
Her Excellency Mrs Macquarie with Chair of the Hunter Regional Committee National Trust and MC Gionni diGravio
Hunter Writers' Centre Brian Joyce receiving his commendation for Best performing Bona from Mrs Macquarie
Mrs Macquarie congratulates Jack Delaney on his Award of Amateur Bona
Jenny Bates receiving a Media Bona Commendation for ABC 1233 Treasure Hunter program
The Deadly Bona was awarded to Professor John Maynard
Mike Scanlon was the fabulous recipient of the Media Bona
Fr Brian Roach receiving his commendation in the Academic Bona category
The winners of the Commemorative Bona - Rosemary Melville and Ann Dunne
Erika Gelzinnis, James Witchard and the Students on Newcastle Uni's Drama 101 take out a highly commendation in the Performing Bona category
The Family Bona was awarded to the tremendous Newcastle Family History Society
Her Excellency Mrs Macquarie (Anne Creevy)
Our 3 inaugural and very deserving winners of the Perpetual Bona - Ed Tonks, Carl & Margret Doring
Winner of the Perpetual Bona was very humble and makes a speech
The audience enjoying High tea and the glamour of the Award ceremony
Ed Tonks, Perpetual Bona winner
Board Members Stephen Booker and Sarah Cameron
Studioius Bona Winner - Ann Hardy receiving her award. Nice frock!
