Archivists.org.au

CONVENOR’S REPORT
THE TASMANIAN BRANCH OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF
ARCHIVISTS INCORPORATED
The 2011-2012 year has been a busy one for the Tasmanian Branch. The AGM on 18 August was held in conjunction with a tour and talk about the Hutchins School Archives by School Archivist and Librarian, Margaret Mason-Cox. Of particular interest was the new storage space that was purpose-built and opened in March 2011. The next event was a well-attended tour of Markree in Battery Point in November, hosted by Anthony Curtis and Jo Huxley. The Arts and Crafts style house and gardens contained many treasures of the Baldwin family and it was fascinating to look at and hear about the early 20th-century records and objects and how the records informed the curators during the project phase. Despite the poor weather some of the tour group was also able to brave the elements to listen to garden historian Ann Cripps talk about the Markree Garden and design. This was followed by lunch at Cargo in Salamanca Place. The Branch Christmas event was hosted by the convenor and family in New Town where members socialised over drinks and nibbles. A visit to the Land Titles Office was organised for February and members had an enthusiastic session with Richard Fielding and a chance for a ‘hands on’ look at maps, deeds and other land transaction documents. May was IAM Month and the Branch liaised with its RIMPA counterparts (Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia) and both organisations held events to mark the occasion during this month. In Launceston, RIMPA organised a breakfast, with interstate speaker Natalie Johnson of City of Boroondara, while in Hobart our Branch listened to talks by Allegra Huxtable, Manger Government Recordkeeping, Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office and Dr Jill Abell of the Hutchins School on aspects of the year’s theme of ‘Information on Demand’. Members networked over afternoon tea, with the event supported by the Hobart City Council and Acrodata. May was a busy month as it also saw us meet with Michael Piggott, former University of Melbourne Archivist and ASA Laureate who had been contracted by the National Archives of Australia to develop a Guide to the NAA’s Tasmanian Records. He shared his progress and thoughts with us informally over drinks at the New Sydney Hotel. This year saw some hard decisions having to be made by our parent ASA organisation and as a Branch we sent a statement of support, written by Margaret, to encourage them in the road ahead. Still to be resolved are the financial matters of our Branch, but this should be sorted out in the coming year. In conclusion I would particularly like to thank the hard working Branch Office Bearers, particularly as I have had some time away from Branch activities - David Bloomfield (Secretary/Treasurer), and members Nicki Ottavi, Margaret Mason-Cox, Caitlin Sutton and Jenny Jerome. They have all happily pitched in with time and ideas to ensure our Branch can fulfil its role for members and fly the flag for the archival profession in Tasmania. Jill Waters Convenor

Source: http://www.archivists.org.au/icms_docs/133219_Convenor_Annual_Report_2011__2012.pdf