OPEN SUBMISSION
Tune Review of National Archives of Australia
History Councils of Australia submission
5 May 2021
The HCNSW, as Chair of the History Councils of Australia, has made a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department about the Functional & Efficiency Review of the National Archives of Australia (Tune Review).
In part it reads:
“The History Councils of Australia support recommendations that empower the NAA in decision-making, increase staff numbers and resources, invest in new technologies, enable the speedy acquisition and classification of collections, and make records more accessible to all researchers, including those who are based interstate. We are however very concerned that recommendations to centralise collections and increase user fees will discriminate against interstate researchers in particular. We are also very concerned that the NAA should not compromise on which records are kept, or on the quality of their maintenance.
Studying our past and telling our stories is critical to our sense of belonging, to recovering hidden and at times awkward histories, and to creating our shared future. Our National Archives are the core resource for these stories, as well as the indispensable repository of official records. We urge your attention to the points raised and to support the NAA mission to truly ‘connect Australians with the nation’s memory, their identity and history’.
You can read the HCA’s full submission here. Further information about the Tune Review recommendations can be found on the Attorney-General’s website here.
The History Councils of Australia consists of the History Council of NSW, the History Council of Victoria, the History Council of South Australia and the History Council of Western Australia.
MEDIA RELEASE
March 2021
The Windsor Theatre remains under threat.
It may not be your local cinema or in your local area, but what is happening in Nedlands may well occur in other areas, thanks to major changes to zoning by the WAPC. The developers are lining up. Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching!
There is little news on the fate of the Windsor Theatre in Nedlands. Our submission, with other leading heritage and history experts, expressing concern that the Heritage Council had determined that the Windsor did not merit State Heritage listing, went to the Heritage Council in December, with a copy to the Minister. The Heritage Council met on Friday 22 January 2021, but we have no knowledge of its response to our submission, which recommended that it.
Undertake an independent review of the heritage assessment of the Windsor Theatre.
Re-establish the Register Committee to provide expert advice and peer review of all heritage assessments prior to presentation to the Heritage Council.
Adopt the same level of transparency and accountability in decision making as required by Local Governments and their committees.
Update the Heritage Council’s invitation for stakeholder comment to avoid any future misinterpretation.
We understand that the Minister has written to the City of Nedlands, requesting reconsideration of the Windsor’s heritage value. At present, the only places on the City’s Local Heritage Register are those already on the State Register. For many years the majority of councillors have believed strongly that individual property rights trump any notion of the community’s right to its heritage. Having read a brief report of our submission, one Councillor blasted it, writing to the Post (30 Jan 2021);
‘In my view the Windsor Theatre is a large shed of steel, brick and fibro, hidden behind a colourful facade that is a mixture of necessary functional adjustments and aesthetics, but truly representative of nothing in particular. Its main function as a gathering place for groups of people to watch movies has a short life expectancy, perhaps a decade…. This family service business could be financially devastated by a heritage listing.’
Does that leave the way open for the Windsor to be demolished? It would be necessary for the owner to obtain a demolition order from the City of Nedlands, but he states that he has no intention of demolishing it at present and has recently made some improvements to the interior. In the long term however, it has always been his plan to capitalise on the site. And the site is rapidly increasing in value.
As a result of new high-rise zoning along Stirling Highway imposed by the WA Planning Commission and long-term Main Roads plans to widen the highway, development signs have been popping up along the highway. Opposite the Windsor is the Chellingworth car site, where a Victorian developer has proposed a 4 tower 26 storey complex. As The Post newspaper has revealed (30 Jan 2021), that was rejected and they have now very slightly modified their plans and applied to build a 3 tower 24 storey complex. Main Roads says it has no objection, providing its road widening plans aren’t affected. The City of Nedlands has rejected the amended plans on the grounds that the building was too bulky, lacked dedicated visitor parking, and would cause rat-running on surrounding streets. One councillor likened the design to ‘an eight-year-old’s school project…like three shoe boxes standing on their end’. Nevertheless, the proposal has now been approved by a Department of Planning DAP (Development Assessment Panel).
Unless the Windsor is listed on the State Heritage Register we fear for its fate.
MEDIA RELEASE
22 June 2020
AUSTRALIA NEEDS MORE HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE GRADUATES
The History Council of Western Australia was shocked to learn that the Morrison government proposes to more than double the cost of a university education for students in History. What is the justification for reducing the Commonwealth Government’s contribution to only $1100 per student place? Or for the requirement that History students will now pay an annual fee of $14,500?
‘This decision is extraordinarily short sighted and does not bode well for the future of our society’, says Emeritus Professor Jenny Gregory AM, President of the History Council of Western Australia. It displays a complete lack of understanding of the vital importance of History and other disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS). These areas have produced outstanding graduates for many years – including many of Australia’s political leaders.
Evidence shows that HASS skills — critical and creative thinking, ethics, research skills, ability to construct a logical and coherent argument, as well as skills in written and oral communication — are foundational skills that are highly valued by employers. Evidence also shows that many successful Australian companies rely on ‘skills mixing’, bringing together HASS skills with science, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
We note too that this proposal severely disadvantages women. There is clear data showing that women make up a high proportion of students studying HASS subjects.
This country needs more Humanities and Social Science graduates not less. The History Council of WA urges the Minister to rethink this punitive funding model. — ends —
For further information contact
Professor Jenny Gregory AM FRHS, President, History Council of Western Australia, office@historycouncilwa.org.au
0410 581 343
MEDIA RELEASE
11 June 2020
INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL MINERS DESTROY AUSTRALIA’S AGE-OLD CULTURAL HERITAGE
The obliteration of ancient Australian Aboriginal heritage sites is deplorable.
The History Council of WA condemns such practices. History Council President Professor Jenny Gregory today declared “We stand in solidarity with those who protest against the destruction of our ancient heritage. We will continue to work with them to prevent such outrageous cultural desecration.”
The History Council of WA calls on the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to immediately audit existing s18 rulings to determine whether new archaeological evidence shows that permission to destroy should be removed.
The History Council of WA also calls on the Minister to accelerate drafting of the new Aboriginal Heritage bill, which was planned to go before the parliament by the end of 2020. — ends —
For further information contact
Professor Jenny Gregory AM FRHS, President, History Council of Western Australia office@historycouncilwa.org.au
0410 581 343