Penrith City Library – The Makings of a City History Conference: A Social Snapshot
Saturday 8 March 2008
9 am – 5 pm – Nepean Room Civic Centre, Penrith
Our 7th Annual Conference
Penrith City Library’s History Conference was held on Saturday 8th March 2008. The theme was ‘A Social Snapshot’ as this year we celebrate the bicentenary of the Rum Rebellion and 180th anniversary of the first full Census of the Colony in 1828.
Conference organizers – Lorraine Stacker and Alison Spencer
The conference was held in the Nepean Room, which is located on the second floor of Penrith City Council’s Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith. Mayor Councillor Greg Davies launched the Conference.
Registration
Our Speakers this year
- Dr Carol Liston was our keynote speaker. Dr Liston spoke about the unique development of the town of Penrith. The majority of the town was leased by the Woodriff family. Surrounding large land grants, under lease also influenced the development of the region.
- Paul Brunton, the Senior Curator at the Mitchell Library, provided a wonderful insight into the major players involved with the Rum Rebellion in 1808, 200 years ago. Paul also presented delegates with a wonderful display of early paintings of Sydney as well as portraits of those involved in the rebellion. These images are held in the Mitchell Library. Also, Paul encouraged everyone to visit the exhibition at the State Library – Politics & Power: Bligh’s Sydney Rebellion 1808 .
- Keith Johnson of the Library of Australian History discussed the value of the remaining householders returns from the 1828 Census. This year we commemorate the 180th Anniversary of the taking of Australia’s first Census. Keith reminded us that researchers on our City are fortunate to have access to householders returns for the Evan, Castlereagh, Mulgoa and Melville districts.
- Our own Alison Spencer, curator of the Photographic Collection at Penrith City Library, delighted everyone with a history of postcards and their value in our collection. Her talk was demonstrated by a dazzling display from our Joyce Cole postcard collection.
- The History of Penrith Project was launched by Councillor Pat Sheehy AM. Councillor Sheehy announced Penrith City Library’s Information Librarian, Lorraine Stacker, would be the author of Volume 2 of the History of Penrith. Lorraine then presented the delegates with an outline of the book in chapters.
Speakers at the Conference: Paul Brunton, Dr Carol Liston, Lorraine Stacker, Keith Johnson
A cdrom of the Conference proceedings is available for sale from Research Services and is in the Research Room.
Trade tables from local family history and historical groups were also available during the breaks throughout the day. We thank them for making their resources available for delegates. Stall holders included: Nepean Family History Society, Nepean and District Historical Society, Nepean District Historical Archaeology Group, Blue Mountains Family History Society, Blue Mountains Historical Society, Search Tech, St Marys and District Historical Society, Library of Australian History