Hard Yards: Story of the Newcastle Knights Rugby League team

I see from a story in the Newcastle Herald that a full history of the Newcastle Knights Rugby League team has been released

I have a soft spot for the Knights having been following them since their   first entry to the competition in 1988.

It's been a sometimes turbulent time with some highs and a fair few lows that in some ways reflects the history of Newcastle itself.

Written by award-winning Newcastle Herald journalist Robert Dillon, Hard Yards: The Story of the Newcastle Knights tells  the complete history of the much loved team. It covers every player, every game, every triumph, every loss and every controversy.

How to purchase

Books can be ordered now for $39.95* (plus postage and handling) through the Newcastle Herald online shop by clicking here.

You can also buy the book from the front office of the Newcastle Herald at 28 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle; Maitland Mercury, Level 1, Suite 2/12 Elgin Street, Maitland; The Advertiser, 155 Vincent Street, Cessnock; Singleton Argus, 6-8 Campbell Street, Singleton; and Muswellbrook Chronicle, 1-2/6 Commercial Centre Market Lane, Muswellbrook.

Available too at nextra Group Newsagencies: Westfield Kotara, Cessnock, Warners Bay Plaza, Stockland Glendale, Marketown, Raymond Terrace, Mount Hutton, Mayfield and Hamilton.

$1 from each book sold will be donated to the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Video tells some of the story of the Hinton Collection

While this YouTube video was published in February 2018, I hadn't seen it before. It tells something of the story of the Hinton Collection at the New England Regional Art Museum and in so doing showcases some the paintings themselves. Enjoy.

History columnist Jim Belshaw believes history is vital for policymaking

Armidale Express feature by Nicholas Fuller on yours truly: History columnist Jim Belshaw believes history is vital for policymaking.  Cross posted on my other blogs.

Tamworth attracts migrants

Interesting piece in the Northern Daily Leader (1 May 2018) by Jamieson Murphy and Grace Ryan Tamworth growth trends revealed by Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The overall growth in population for the Tamworth Local Government Area in 2017 was positive  at just under one per cent, although this is too low to allow the City to easily achieve its 100,000 growth target.  However, what was positive and quite important was that of the net increase of  556 people, 379 (68%) came from overseas migration.

The propensity of Australia's new settlers to flock especially to Sydney and Melbourne has been one of the drivers of Australia's growing population imbalance. While the movement of migrants to Tamworth is still small in absolute numbers, the positive ratio means that international migration is now making a positive contribution.  .

Outside Tamworth, Armidale LGA grew 0.8 per cent to 30,552, while Gunnedah Shire grew by 0.6 per cent. Walcha Shire increased by 0.4 and the Liverpool Plains grew by just 0.2 per cent. Inverell showed no growth, with Moree down 1.3% over 2017, Narrabri and Uralla down 0.7%, Tenterfield down 0.6% and Gwydir Shire and Glen Innes Severn down 0.2%.

One of the things that we need to be thinking about in inland New England is how we get a better population balance across areas. This requires the bigger centres to support the smaller centres. It also requires us to put aside the parochial competition that so bedevils cooperative action.

BEYOND ART: True Stories from the desert by senior Aboriginal men at the Tamworth Regional Gallery

NEW LIGHT: Tamworth gallery director Bridget Guthrie with a new exhibition highlighting contemporary Indigenous art. Photo: Peter Hardin 300418PHE043

I am often frustrated that I simply cannot get in the car and drive to visit new New England exhibitions or celebrations. A case in point is the new display at the Tamworth Regional Galley highlighted in the Northern Daily Leader story  Tamworth gallery highlighting contemporary Aboriginal art.

The exhibition, BEYOND ART: True Stories from the desert by senior Aboriginal men, highlights the streak in contemporary Indigenous art that combines innovation with deep connection to country.The exhibition is open until 10 June. I would encourage you to visit if you can.

While I greatly support the exhibition and the work done by Ms Guthrie, I must admit to a feeling of pique, I would like to see, I would really like to see, a greater focus on current Aboriginal cultural activities across Northern NSW, my broader New England. It seems to me that because we don't exist in a formal legal sense, we get ignored. .

NERAM's Robert Heather to join UNE: he will be missed

On 3 May  Andrew Murray, the Chair of the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) announced that NERAM's Director Robert Heather would be leaving NERAM on 22 June to take up a position of Director, Advancement, Communications and Events at the University of New England.

Mr Murray made the announcement with considerable regret, noting that the appointment was an affirmation of Robert’s talents.

"Robert has been leading our Art Museum for just short of three years", Mr Murray said. He ":has made a significant impact in this time, with renovations to the building, new LED lighting, solar panels and the wonderful HINTON permanent exhibition development. He and his team have provided us all with engaging exhibitions, stimulating lectures and vibrant events. Robert has also developed many friendships for NERAM both locally and within the national art community."

"The Board wishes Robert every success in his new career and we thank him sincerely for the contribution he has made to our gallery and our region since moving here from Melbourne. The Board has commenced a search for a worthy replacement as Art Museum Director at NERAM and we expect there to be considerable interest in the role."

"During the likely period between Robert’s departure and the commencement of a new Director, our Manager Curatorial and Exhibitions, Ms Rachael Parsons will become Acting Director."

As I write, I'm listening to the ABC program on the opening of the permanent Hinton collection at NERAM.  It's worth listening too, a very good program. .

NERAM has had some good Directors. Robert has been one of the best with his constant attention to the promotion of NERAM as a cultural icon not just for Armidale but for the broader North. I know that Robert will give good service to UNE, but we will miss him.

New England Travels seminar paper

I have now posted to my history blog the paper I delivered  in the University of New England’s Humanities seminar series on 13 April 2018: New England Travels: journeys through space and time. The paper is a personal ramble through elements in New England's history.