School records salvaged from the skip

Monday 5 September 2005

Important local historical records salvaged from a skip have turned out to be important State records protected by an Act of the NSW Parliament.

In the care of the University of Newcastle Archives since 2000, the records of the Carrington Public School dating from 1873 were rescued by local historians Marj Cramp and Angie Parkes after they were inadvertently thrown out after a fire.

Acting Manager of the University's Archives Rare Books and Special Collections, Gionni Di Gravio says he is thrilled that these records are now fully documented and described, and available for researchers on the State Records NSW database.

"The collection consists of class rolls, punishment books, lesson registers, observation and daily report books, as well as some charming correspondence," says Gionni.

"Access via the database to these valuable records was all made possible by an Archives in the Bush grant which allowed University Archivist Dr Edward Bridle to document our schools, hospitals and University records deemed as State Archives under the Act."

"Seeing these Carrington Public School records listed and researched struck a great chord," says Gionni. "We were very lucky that people such as Marj and Angie were on the lookout and rescued these important records at a time when they could have easily been trashed."

These efforts have not only proven valuable in historical terms, but also in financial terms as the University has secured an additional $14,940 in funding to continue the work for Phase II of the Archives in the Bush Project.

The Carrington Public School records are available from the State Records Investigator database.

For interviews: Gionni Di Gravio on (02) 4921 5819.