University of New England to open Natural History Museum

Armidale is to get another museum. The region’s first Natural History Museum will be the showcase of a $27 million development at the University of New England. The museum will feature the skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur along with a diverse collection of animals, plants and meteorites.

Construction has commenced at the facility which is part of the multi-million dollar Integrated Agriculture Education Project precinct and is expected to open next year.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Annabelle Duncan, said the Museum will be a significant community asset. “The museum will be an important education resource for students and will become a central repository for natural history collections across the region,” Professor Duncan continued.

“The new Museum will feature a five-metre Australovenator dinosaur, UNE’s meteorite collection, animal and hominid skeletons, and fossils.”

As well as the new exhibits, the Museum will house UNE’s existing museum collections. Presumably, this includes the Classics Museum, the University's best know museum, presently housed in the Arts Building. I must find out what is happening here.

The Head of UNE’s School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, Professor Iain Young, said the museum will enhance teaching at UNE specifically in the areas of zoology, biology, botany and geology.

“It is envisaged that the Museum will also be used by schools as a learning resource and be accessible to the community and special interest groups.

“The long term vision for the museum is to have regular tours and displays, including loan exhibitions, an interactive museum website, and to use our knowledge of natural history to increase the awareness, understanding, technologies and tools needed to create an environmentally sustainable future.”

Community members interested in becoming a hands-on part of the exciting Natural History Museum project can contact Dr Romina Rader, Community Ecologist and museum coordinator, on museum@une.edu.au for more information.

Need for a Northern NSW White Paper

My main post today is on the Australian Government's Northern Australia White Paper.

It would be nice to have our own white paper, something for another neglected North. But you see, we don't exist in the public or political conscience.

Just a note.  

Resenting Tasmania's Dark Mofo

I really resent Tasmania's Dark Mofo. It's getting extensive news coverage.

Because we don't exist, there is no equivalent in New England. Some of our Festivals such as Byron Bay have achieved national coverage, but we have no specifically New England festivals or celebrations. We have no platform.

Tasmania may be smaller than New England on every measure, but it has a defined entity. That gives it a base. Each area in New England has to struggle at a local level to gain recognition. Some do manage it, but it's an unbalanced competition.

Often I meet people who deny our fight for self-government. I can understand that. But they do more. They either deny our independent history and culture or downgrade its importance. Then I get upset, for they deny the validity and distinctiveness of my own life experience. I resent that.       .

   

Mullumbimby: a case study in the unexpected outcomes of protest

The photo shows a demonstration in Mullumbimby against  the building of a Woolworth's store in the town. The photo comes from an interesting story in the Sydney Morning Herald by Malcolm Knox: How Woolworths overcame local opposition and set up a supermarket near Mullumbimby.

In very simple terms, a local family wanted to build a supermarket in the town, part of Byron Shire, but faced fierce opposition. Finally, they sold the project out to Woolworths who with time, money and connections were able to go around the protestors. The end result was a bigger store owned outside the town.

This is hardly the result the protestors wanted. I suspect if asked to make a choice between a locally owned store and a bigger store owned by Woolworths, they would have opted for the first very quickly. But then, that's a retrospective view. Having won on the first count, they expected to win on the second as well.

Apparent demise of North Coast Voices

It is remiss of me not to have mentioned this before, but on 17 May North Coast Voices ceased publication. I quote from the final post:

Due to events beyond our control North Coast Voices will not be posting until further notice. 

For this we apologize to all our regular readers and to those that just drop by from time to time on a whim.

The first NCV post was on 9 October 2007. Since then, they have kept a stream of posts going, generally from a Green left perspective.

Sometimes NCV used to annoy the hell out of me, but I will still miss them.

The end was very abrupt. There were two earlier posts on 17 May and then, suddenly, came the final post. All three were posted in the early hours of the morning within a short time of each other. It was like a snap, something that I can understand.

I have no idea what the problem was/is. I can only offer my thoughts and a deep felt wish that things sort themselves out.  

Newcastle wins both age groups in the 2015 Northern NSW State Football championships

The Telstra Northern NSW State Championships for Boys kicked off at 8:30am on Saturday 6 June at Coffs Habour.

Over 250 of Northern NSW’s best young male footballers converged on Coffs Harbour to participate in the Championships in both the 11 Years and 12 Years age divisions.

Each of the Northern News South Wales Football Federations Member Zones -  Football Far North Coast, Football Mid North Coast, Hunter Valley Football, Macquarie Football, Newcastle Football, North Coast Football and Northern Inland Football, as well as Emerging Jets 10 Years and 11 Years squads - contested the Championships.

In the end Newcastle Football claimed the title of State Champions in both the 11 and 12 Years divisions following the final day of the State Championships. The photo shows the boys celebrating.

The 11 Years side cemented their place on top of the table following a 7-0 victory over Northern Inland in the second last match of the day.

It was a different story for the 12 Years squad however, as a 0-0 draw with North Coast left the side relying on other fixtures to finish the weekend in 1st place.  Macquarie Football came second in both age groups. 

Full results can be found here.

History of the New England New State Movement to the Second World War

Just a short note to say that I have now brought on line the History revisited columns telling the story of the New England New State Movement up to the aftermath of the Nicholas Commission.

I stopped then for two reasons. First, at nineteen columns in a row I feared that I would outrun the patience of the paper and readers in such a concentrated burst! Secondly, I needed to do more research.

The material up to to the Second World War is now close to book length, so the columns are very selective.

The story begins again towards the end of the war when two academics, Belshaw and Voisey, launched the regional councils movement. Belshaw was just about to become David Drummond's son-in-law, but unlike his later son was not a new stater. He believed that regional councils were the answer. He became disillusioned when Sydney would grant them no power, when their areas were to small, bemused too when the regional council movement he had founded turned into a resurgent new state movement. Disillusioned, he developed the concept of selective decentralisation that would be picked up at ANU and become the heart of the Uren growth center model.

The movement he had helped re-create maintained the pressure until the 1967 plebiscite when exhausted, it effectively went into recess, now again carried forward by us.

ANZAC Day 2015 across inland New England

Today, just a few round-up shots of ANZAC Day across the New England. This is ANZAC Day in Walcha.

And this is ANZAC Day in Armidale.The TAS cadets march.

And this is the service at Dangarsleigh south of Armidale. Again, TAS cadets. Those boys get around!

And this is Inverell

In Quirindi

Finally, the dawn service in Manilla.

My thanks to TAS, New England High Country and ABC New England North West for these shots.

Hunter Valley v the Southern Highlands: the Hunter Culinary Association's 6th annual 'Food Fight'.

This one isn't cheap but sounds rather fun.

On Tuesday 2 June, chefs from the Hunter Valley will take on newcomers from Canberra and the Southern Highlands in the Hunter Culinary Association's 6th annual 'Food Fight'.

Hosted by celebrity Chef, Matt Kemp, the event will pit the two competing teams against each other as they push themselves to create the best 3-course lunch the regions have to offer. Dishes will be made only from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and the passion of the Hunter Region and Canberra/Southern Highlands teams will be served on the day. These creations will be presented with an array of matching wines by leading Hunter Valley Wineries.

Guests will judge each of the six dishes, and cast their votes to crown one team the winner of the 6th annual ‘Food Fight.’

Representing the Hunter Region are culinary warriors Troy Rhoades Brown (Muse Dining), Michael Robinson (Margan), and Emerson Rodriguez (Emerson’s). The fresh-faced opponents cooking for Canberra and the Southern Highlands will be lead by a familiar face of the ‘Food Fight’ family, James Viles (Biota Dining), alongside Ben Willis (Aubergine), and Sean McConnell (Monster). 

Celebrity chef Matt Kemp will use his knife-sharp wit and vast knowledge of food to entertain and delight, whilst also hosting a worthy charity auction. The auction’s proceeds will go towards the Brett Graham Scholarship and other initiatives that focus on the growth and development of the region’s young culinary talent. 

I said it wasn't cheap. The price itself is okay. Luncheon costs $120 for Hunter Culinary Association members, $160 for non-members, and $70 for apprentice chefs. That's not too bad. But to really enjoy yourself, you need to stay overnight at the venue, the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. Who want to drive after a hopefully extended lunch?

To avoid missing out on this clash of the culinary titans, book early and RSVP to Kirsty on mail@hunterculinary.com.au by Friday 15th of May.

Dhiiyaan Indigenous Knowledge Centre reborn

Looking back, I first mentioned  the troubled Dhiiyaan Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Moree back in 2008 when as the Indigenous it was part of the is part of the Moree based Northern Regional Library & Information Service. I said then that its web site had some useful material, including photographs.Sadly, that's gone,

In 2009, I reported on the problems the Centre was having. I said then:

At present, the Centre is part of the Northern Regional Library & Information Service and is based in Moree, servicing the shires of Brewarrina, Gwydir, Moree Plains and Walgett. Included within these shires are a substantial number of Aboriginal settlements. They include; Boggabilla, Boomi, Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Mungindi, Toomelah, Walgett and Moree itself. 

The plan now is to develop it into a larger stand-alone entity. 

I do not know whether or not the Centre is unique in Australia. I do know from my web searches that it is unusual because of its focus (among other things) in helping Aboriginal people trace their families. 

The Centre lies at the heart of Kamilaroi territory, but extends beyond this.

My only criticism of the Centre's Mrs Noelene Briggs-Smith and her supporters is that their vision is arguably too narrow, too local. Here I am thinking not so much of services, but of the support base. 

My feeling is that the Centre should be selling itself more broadly, seeking to attract support not just from the Moree area and State Government, but also from interested people elsewhere in New England and beyond.

Now, finally, I see that the the future of the Dhiiyaan Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Moree appears to have been secured with a $495,545 Clubgrant for renovations to the building housing it. Clubgrants are administered by Clubs NSW, the peak body for registered clubs in NSW and are available to community groups, charities and sporting teams across NSW. Last year, more than $100 million was allocated to worthy causes by Clubgrants. Yes, I know that's a plug, but I am happy to provide it!

The funds will be used for a total refurbishment of the Moree War Memorial Hall including purpose-built archival rooms, a new common entrance foyer, new offices and galleries, carpets, painting, furniture and fittings.

The existing amenities will be upgraded to include disabled facilities and an access ramp.

Moree Plains Shire Council has also kicked in with $306,900 to the project for first stage capital improvements and ongoing management costs.

The hall, a product of the Moree and District War Memorial Centre Educational Centre Act of 1962, will eventually also house the Moree and District Historical Society collection and a military history collection.

The building previously housed Moree’s public library with Dhiiyaan as part of its facilities. Dhiiyaan was developed over many years by Noeleen Briggs, Moree Elder and former Indigenous Librarian Auntie, who bartered for people’s family documents, obtained grants to buy books on Indigenous history and culture and arranged for object loans from the Australian Museum.

When the library moved into a purpose built space several years ago, the local Aboriginal community feared the Dhiiyaan Centre would be dismantled with the books dispersed to regional libraries and the objects returned to the Australian Museum.

The grant will help preserve 100,000 genealogical records of local families including databases, significant objects, photographs and burial records.

The stress of losing the centre took a personal toll on Auntie Noeleen who has since retired but not before intensive lobbying that eventually saw Arts NSW provide the State Library with $200,000 towards collection evaluation and preservation and assistance with transition to an independent organisation with the support of Moree Shire Council.

Chris Binge started this month as Manager of the centre and expects the staff to grow to five in the next few months.

They will oversee 100,000 genealogical records of local families including databases, significant objects, photographs and burial records. The team will also begin negotiating with the Australian Museum for the return of the historical objects.

Museums & Galleries of NSW is supporting the Dhiiyaan Centre with its Travelling Places program this year, which seeks to embed skills for the development of a digital Keeping Place within the community.

That's all good news. Hopefully, the centre will grow it's broader role to benefit all those with Kamilaroi connections or interested in the Kamilaroi and in so doing also aid the promotion of Moree.

Postscript

Another story on the work of Noeleen Briggs - Moree Aboriginal researcher finishes 20-year project. Notice two name spellings, of Noeleen though. Are there two?.