Proudly supported by Clarence City Council's Grants and Sponsorship Program
Expanding our local history knowledge and exhibits
The approval by Clarence City Council of a SAPRA grant application has opened the door for fresh, new displays in the Maurice Potter History Room at the South Arm Community Centre.
Our History Room is brimming with information with more in storage, fascinating new material coming from the South Arm Peninsula History Group (Facebook) and offers and donations of historical material received regularly. So many more tales to tell and some important gaps to fill ... the challenge was to find new ways to share it.
After visiting other small history rooms, the idea of using 10 pull-up banners featuring Peninsula stories – its people, places and events, from First Nations to today – was developed. These can be rotated through the History Room, be the catalyst for special exhibitions/displays and used in other locations.
This project will enable us to start creating a more cohesive, creative and flexible way to display our history that is interesting, engaging and easily absorbed. It will showcase more stories – ancient, old and more recent – to be shared. And yes, we’re excited!
Collaborations are key
Working collaboratively with a range of organisations, groups and individuals will bring stories and images to life in an authentic way that stimulates the interest of people of all ages.
A significant piece of our Peninsula history has been missing – one commented on by locals and visitors alike – Tasmanian Aboriginal history. We’re delighted to have highly respected pakana woman, Theresa Sainty, agree to work with us on this important aspect. It means the history, stories, unique perspectives and deep connection to this place of the palawa people can be shared with us all directly.
A key partnership we cherish is with South Arm Primary School and this project will see students doing their own research and design work for a banner, engaging directly with the sharing of school life stories – be they from times gone by or more recent times.
As banner topics are finalised there will be partnerships and engagement with all the relevant stakeholders.
What project success will look like
The banners proudly displaying a variety of stories and images from our history are stimulating the interest of people of all ages. Conversations are sparked and curiosity piqued as visitors discover how the people and this place have intertwined to give the Peninsula its character today. They’ll also uncover a rich community spirit that has never waned, one that is celebrated by those of us who now call this place home.
A wider awareness has developed, not just in the area but across Clarence and beyond, that this Peninsula has its own quirky, surprising characters and particular history. The community has discovered a new sense of pride in its vibrancy and connection, particularly with its outstanding volunteer record that continues today. Students at our local school too have discovered much about their school, the place they call home and about themselves through this project.
Importantly, understanding and appreciation of our First Nations peoples as the original custodians of this land and their place in ongoing Peninsula history has grown significantly.
All the resulting research and story-telling, is being shared on the Peninsula and further afield, through special exhibitions, events, workshops, presentations and online.
There’s a lot of work to do to achieve this and we hope you’ll help us on this journey from the past to the present and perhaps even guiding us into the future.
What happens today is tomorrow’s history so it’s important we capture not just stories from the distant past, but those created last year, last month and yesterday.
POTENTIAL BANNER THEMES
Your feedback invited
Wow, what a long draft list the SAPRA team has come up with to start the ball rolling!
We want your input on the stories you’d like to know more about or feel are important to our community.
Whilst there’s a limited number of banners for this project there will be other ways to share the stories we uncover or re-discover.
Please note the list is in no particular order and will be updated as the project evolves.
- School life. From then to now.
- Iron Pot Lighthouse
- We built it. Halls, churches, community hubs
- Wrecked (or not quite). Shipwrecks + The Cat
- Convicts. Who stayed, who left
- Farming. Water, fruit & pink eyes of course!
- Indigenous History
- Fort Direction
- Myths and legends. Fencing the neck, The Hope treasure etc
- Nature on the Peninsula. From the bush to the beach.
- Outdoors. Cricket teams, local golf, Tangara Trail, surfing,
- People. Families, groups and characters.
- RSL Sub-Branch + RSL & Community Club
- On water. Boats, barges, Cartela, yachting, fishing, jetties etc
- Volunteers all. Firies, lifesavers and a myriad more
- SAPRA. 35 years and a Community Centre
- Socially connected. Dances, the Club + groups
- Picnics, visitors and shacks
- THAT Calendar. Behind the photo shoot.
- Villages. South Arm, Opossum Bay, Cremorne, Clifton + sprawling Sandford!
- Creative spirits. Local artists/artisans, murals and more.
- Built. Shacks, boathouses, sheds and huts
Interested in helping us on this adventure through time?
Contribute - Collaborate - Participate
Do you have stories to tell? Personal, family, community group history, myths or tales not told before?
Do you have artefacts to share? Photos, documents, newspaper clippings etc.
Do you have skills and time to offer? Writing, design, research, history projects. Even a just little bit of your time will help.
If you’re interested in being part of this project, please email history@southarm.tas.au
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER TASMANIAN MUSEUMS & HISTORY ROOMS
