30 November 2009

Mr Ross Gibbs

Director-General of the National Archives of Australia

PO Box 7425
Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610

Dear Mr Gibbs

Proposed closure of the National Archives offices in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart

The History Council of Western Australia is concerned at the news of the proposed closure to the National Archives offices in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart.

The aims of the History Council of Western Australia are to promote the study, preservation and use of history in Western Australia and we represent about 13,000 historians and interested parties throughout the State. Our membership is wide ranging and includes academics, professional historians, librarians, museum professionals, archivists, family historians and a number of corporate groups. As an organisation we seek to raise the profile of history at all levels of government and the community and to provide advocacy for history and heritage collections. We seek to ensure that Arts related agencies such as the State Records Office, the State Library and the WA Museum are adequately funded. We also seek to achieve greater recognition of the value of historians’ professional knowledge in heritage, education, government processes and the value of historical studies both at school and at University. 

At a time when interest in history has never been stronger it seems a puzzling move to deprive both researchers and members of the public of the opportunity to conduct personal research in a location close to home. Furthermore, we are of the view that this move would impact even more adversely on indigenous members of these three communities. A need to know who you are and where you have come from is imperative to us all. The apologies to the stolen generation and child migrants are meaningless if those individuals impacted are unable to research their histories and connect with their cultural heritage.  

The History Council of Western Australia wishes to add its voice those of historians, researchers and archivists across Australia who see the decision to close the National Archives Offices in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart as a retrograde step that will adversely impact on the history and heritage of our nation.

Yours sincerely

Dr Sue Graham-Taylor

President

Copy to:

Senator Hon Joe Ludwig

Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State

Parliament House

CANBERRA ACT 2600