Caroline Chisholm honoured with first Blue Plaque at East Maitland

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The first in a new Blue Plaques program, to commemorate notable figures and events in the history of New South Wales, has been installed at East Maitland.

Caroline Chisholm's being honoured with a memorial at her namesake cottage, for her work in supporting women and families immigrating to Australia in the 19th century.

The Mill Street cottage dates back to 1842 - it's believed to be the only surviving site in a series of employment agencies and hostels she helped establish in rural areas.

It's the first in the series of 21 plaques across the state, in the $5 million program.

Draft heritage strategy to unearth rich Lake Macquarie history

BY ALEXANDRA REES

The rich history of Lake Macquarie could soon be celebrated under a new draft heritage museum strategy.

On public exhibition, the Council's hoping to develop tourism-focused museum heritage programs and will work with local aboriginal groups to recognise and preserve sites and collections. 

Council Arts and Tourism Manager Jacqui Hemsley says there's been increased interest in the region's history. 

"There's huge interest from visitors to our city as well as well as our students and our community in understanding a little bit more of the identity and the history of our place," she said.

"That includes our pre-contact history with the Awabakal culture as well as our more modern history."

Council already maintains a variety of sites that form part of Lake Mac's museum landscape from libraries to the landmark Museum of Art and Culture, yapang (MAC), at Booragul.

Ms Hemsley says the program wouldn't have been possible without co-operation with the community.

"The superb work the heritage advisors have done in developing heritage plans and strategies for the city,  some of the cultural collections as well as some of the Awabakal cultural heritage, and working through some of the amazing programs and stories and oral histories that come from that sector," she said.

"We've really started to develop quite a strong and vibrant heritage community."

Community Museum Officer Meg O'Donnell with heritage items in Council's collection.

Council gives Awaba House revitalisation the green light

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lake Macquarie Council has approved a development application to rebuild Awaba House.

The historic building was badly damaged by a fire in 2019.

Executive Manager Future City Precincts David Antcliff says the approval is an exciting milestone.

"Awaba House is an iconic location that’s dear to so many in our community, and we’ve worked really hard to ensure the community’s aspirations for the venue are reflected in our plans," Mr Antcliff said.

"The plans retain the building’s heritage facade and incorporate elements that will enhance the venue’s hospitality and event offering, with a modern interior fit-out, and separate cafe and function spaces.

"Visitors will also be able to take full advantage of the venue’s lakeside location, with new outdoor terrace and deck areas for al fresco dining or wedding ceremonies."

Council is now set to develop a more detailed design of the building, ahead of engaging a construction contractor early next year.

It's hoped works will be complete by late 2023.

An artist's impression of a re-opened Awaba House.

Awaba House after being gutted by fire in 2019.

Fort Scratchley to fire guns to mark 80 years since Shelling of Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's been 80 years since the Shelling of Newcastle, when the city was attacked by a Japanese submarine at the height of the Second World War.

The bombardment came soon after the Attack on Sydney Harbour in 1942.

The Japanese submarine I-21 fired 34 shells at Newcastle, targeting the BHP steelworks, though very few of the munitions exploded.

The bombardment lasted three minutes, and while no one was injured, a house in the city's East End was damaged and a tram stop was hit by an unexploded shell.

The Australian gunners fired back at the submarine, but none of the shells managed to strike the vessel.

The attack was the only time the active fort saw combat. 

Fort Scratchley Historical Society President Frank Carter says it's a pivotal moment in the Hunter's history.

"It's like the Attack on Sydney, when the mini-subs went in," he said. "It's just a big wake-up call."

"Newcastle was well-prepared in that it had plenty of defences around it, but I'm still not completely convinced by anything I've ever read that says that they really expected this to happen.

"For someone to sit out there in Stockton Bight and throw 26 rounds of high explosives at them, sort of let them know the war was real."

Fort Scratchley will be firing its guns on Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the anniversary.

After sounding the air raid siren, the guns are set to go off at 2:17pm, though the attack took place in the early hours. 

"We don't do 2:17 in the morning - maybe because we won't get out of bed, and also I think we might upset the East End neighbours," Mr Carter said.

"So what we've done,  tongue-in-cheek, is that we will fire at 2:17pm, twelve hours after the event."

Members of the public are being encouraged to come along, and Japan's Deputy Consul-General will also attend the event.

Mr Carter says it's important we don't forget Newcastle's wartime history.

"We as a society take it seriously given that how our whole being revolves around those two Mark VII guns," he said.

"They are the only two land-based guns in Australia to have been involved in a naval engagement."

"[The commemoration] is something we need to keep doing."

Image credit: Fort Scratchley Historical Society.

Lambton Library cards to become after-hours access keys

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lambton Library is set to reopen this weekend, following an extensive renovation.

The library has been closed for months for works to restore the heritage facade, while modernising the facilities behind the scenes.

Library members will also now be able to use their library cards as keys to access the library outside of staffed hours.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it means facilities will be accessible seven days a week.

"Utilizing this new technology, it means it's also a community space," Cr Nelmes said.

"There are some resources in there, but predominantly, it will be able to be accessed by all of our library members and community for free, if they need to have meetings or gatherings.

"There's a lot of trust in that system, and there's also technology like CCTV cameras and the like."

Robert Watson is a member of the Lambton Residents Group.

He says the building has a rich history, but it's exciting to see it more into the future.

"Looking for meeting spaces, for things like garden club or a book club, and things like that, is significant around the Lambton area," Mr Watson said.

"Lambton's kind of a central part of Newcastle, if you like - sometimes I joke about the rotunda like the axle and all the other suburbs rotate around it."

The building was originally built to house the Lambton Council Chambers, until its closure with the creation of the Greater Newcastle Council in 1938.

In 1950, it was reopened as the Lambton Library.

Mr Watson says it's good to see the city's historic buildings, still being used as community assets.

"By any measure, that's an incredible success in having a library building and a meeting room available for that huge amount of time now," Mr Watson said.

"Most other things are closing down or winding back."

Image credit: City of Newcastle

Future Undecided For Maitland Historical Crown Office

BY: ARIANA GATTI

The old Lands Office building, located on the corner of the New England Highway and Banks Street in East Maitland has fallen under the claim of Property NSW.

New Crown Lands Laws, which will come into effect on the 1st of July, will make it easier for the State Government to transfer all the deeds to the property to their in-house real estate agency, saving both time and money.

Since 2011, Maitland has seen the loss of over a dozen Lands jobs, with the staff operating from the historic Banks Street office becoming a part of that list.

Representatives from a handful of history-focused community groups around the Maitland area are outraged with the possible permanent closure and eradication of the building and is looking for support to keep the property standing for cultural purposes.

Image sourced: 2NURFM Reporter - Ariana Gatti - East Maitland

Many community members are advocating for the building to be turned into a public museum and with the right fit-out and designs, could become a positive learning and historical hub for all.

Shadow Minister for Lands, Mick Veitch, is still in shock and disagreement with the way historical sights are being treated by the NSW representatives.

Image sourced: 2NURFM Reporter - Ariana Gatti - East Maitland

"This is an example of the management of our Crown Lands estate under the current government. They will sell anything, and unfortunately this beautiful building is slated for sale", he says.

With very limited areas offered to the preservation and dedication of the historical remembrance for Maitland's past, the building offers a large enough space which has already come under inspections for adaptability to be open for business opportunity.

Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison says the precinct is being neglected by the State Government.

"This is just a number of vacant properties of land left sitting unused and neglected that could be utilised to greatly enhance our community", she says.

However, while bringing back the control of the building to those who represent the community, the costs to buy the building is a little on the pricey side.

President of the Maitland Regional Museum, Janece MacDonald, believes affordability is definitely one of the main obstacles standing in the way of making the office a historic exhibition centre.

"An investigator and property appraiser came in to look at the property, and they said the asking price to buy the building would probably sit at $1.7 million", Ms MacDonald says.

Image sourced: 2NURFM Reporter - Ariana Gatti - East Maitland