Captain Cook’s shoe buckles and rare Indigenous word lists are among the extraordinary items from the State Library’s world-renowned collection heading to primary schools in Western NSW and the Riverina from March 2-5 2015.
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Deputy Premier of NSW Troy Grant said this would be the first time these prized Australian historical items from the State Library’s collection would be shown in Grenfell, Cowra and Young as part of the Library’s valuable FAR Out! Treasures to the Bush initiative.
“Over the past two years 197 schools have enjoyed the Library’s popular FAR Out! regional outreach program, and I’m thrilled primary students from 10 more schools will get to experience some amazing items related to the discovery and exploration of our continent and nation,” Mr Grant said.
Over 800 students and teachers will be among the first in Grenfell, Cowra and Young to view the actual handwritten letters of Mary Reibey, extraordinary Indigenous artwork and Indigenous word lists from the local area.
“We’re adding more and more riches to our website every day, and providing remote access to our extensive heritage material through digitisation and online resources, but seeing these original and unique historic items has a special appeal!” said NSW State Librarian & Chief Executive, Alex Byrne.
“The State Library is committed to giving regional and remote communities of NSW the opportunity to experience some of the original documents of our nation, and hopefully inspire their interest in Australian history.”
From March 2-5 2015, the State Library’s Learning team will run fun and interactive activities with students and teachers around a selection of landmark Australian treasures including: * a letter written from Sydney in 1792 by convict Mary Reibey who became Australia’s first business woman; * a painting of European women by Indigenous artist Johnny Kangatong, from 1855; * a local Indigenous word list; and * Captain Cook’s shoe buckle.
“The State Library is the home of Australia’s history and taking artefacts and manuscripts to schools in rural and regional NSW allows students and teachers to connect with our past in a very real way,” said Megan Perry, State Library Manager of Learning. Media Release P&D-3533-1/2011 FAR Out! is just one of the unique learning services the State Library offers students and teachers, with extensive online services and learning resources available to all on the Library’s website at http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/services/learning
“The State Library has developed learning resources for the NSW Syllabus for the Australian curriculum.
Some of the historic items we’re taking to Western NSW and the Riverina will be part of our contribution to that national initiative, demonstrating the significance of the Library to understanding our national story,” said Ms Perry. For more information about Far Out! Treasures to the Bush, please contact Learning Services, State Library of NSW, on (02) 9273 1778 or learning.library@sl.nsw.gov.au.
