Opening of Coal River Precinct: Interpretations Exhibition

The Coal River Precinct: Interpretations Exhibition will be officially be launched this Friday 4 April 2008.

The Coal River Precinct: Interpretations is an art exhibition of local and invited artists interpreting the Coal River Precinct as part of Heritage Week 2008.

The Exhibition will be launched by University Archivist and Coal River Chairman Gionni Di Gravio at 7pm.

The Exhibition will run from Friday 4 – 20 April 2008.

The very popular Coal River Precinct Walk brochures that have been produced in association with the NSW Heritage Office will also be launched this Friday 4 April @ 7pm. You can either pick up one from the Newcastle Council Visitor’s Centre, Lock up Museum and other tourist and historical establishments across the region or simply download a copy here: Coal River Precinct Walk Brochure

The Coal River Precinct: Interpretations Exhibition Launch
When: 4 April 2008
Where: John Paynter Gallery, the lockup, 90 Hunter Street Newcastle
Time: 7 pm

Everyone is Invited.

                    

INTERPRETATIONS : coal river precinct

The exhibition INTERPRETATIONS:coal river precinct, has come about as an opportunity to celebrate our local environment and its history.

Coal River was the original name for the Hunter River and the area emcompases such landmarks as Nobbys, Macquarie Pier, Fort Scratchley, The Pilot Station, Convict Lumber Yard and Foreshore areas.

25 local artists have been inspired by this area and this has resulted in an exciting display of paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media. Allan Chawner, John Earle and Pam Sinnott are 3 of the 25 local artists exhibiting.

This exhibition will run at the same time as the National Trust Festival, the theme of which is “Our Place”.

The National Trust has registered this as one of their key events and this connection is very relevant as is The John Paynter Gallery at the Lockup Hunter St Newcastle, with its rich history where this exhibition will be held.

It will be opened at 7pm Friday 4th April by Gionni Di Gravio the archivist from The University of Newcastle and he will launch the Coal River Walking Tour Brochure.

The artists are very kindly giving 40% commission to the Newcastle Art Gallery Re-development Fund .

We passionately support the eventual building of a café, education facility and more viewing space.

This exhibition is a chance to promote local artists, support the Newcastle Region Gallery’s re-development and create an even greater awareness of our local history.

The Exhibition has been curated by Ann Hardy, Secretary Hunter Branch National Trust, Delilah van Wyk and Varelle Hardy.

Exhibition set up by Ruth Goodwin and Libby Milgate

All Welcome.

Come and support the launch of the Exhibition, Heritage Week and ‘Our Place’

Victoria Lifeboats Descendants and Friends

The Victoria Lifeboats Descendants and Friends (VLDF) is a group recently formed to bring together the descendants of the former Newcastle Lifeboat Service (NLS).

The Victoria Lifeboats Descendants and Friends are independently researching information and working in conjunction with the Newcastle Maritime Centre.   All original archival materials such as photographs, documentation and memorabilia will eventually be cataloged and will remain with their respective family groups.

Some interesting items have already been located including several gold medals, an official hand written journal by William Adams (crew member) and original paintings of rescues by recognised artists of the time.

There are a number of items still outstanding which, if located, would be of enormous historical interest including the Log of the Lifeboat (if it exists in the form of a log), the Binoculars given to crew by the President of the United States in 1909, the bravery medals and correspondence related to that event, the correspondence related to the Adolphe rescue in recognition of the crews’ bravery by the French Government and the NSW Government, and the original letter from the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce dated 15 August 1921 recognising the bravery of the crew when they were called out to the steamer “Century” on the 23 July 1921. This was the last time that the Victoria went to sea (of we have a copy).

The Newcastle Lifeboat Service was operational from the 1830s to 1940s.  We have a listing of approx 350 crew members which will be made available soon.

All the catalogue information will be shared with the libraries and the Museums.

We thank The Port Corporation, Newcastle Public Library and Newcastle Maritime Centre who are supporting us and displaying our advertisement. We also thank Cultural Collections (Auchmuty Library) at the University of Newcastle for their support in allowing us a public announcement on their blog and display.

Bill Hillier
VLDF Convenor