Attention: News editors, Chiefs of staff, environment reporters

This weekend (18 and 19 October), in the heart of the Snowy Mountains, people will be taking active steps to preserve our history.

However, unlike other recent initiatives to preserve history with the restoration and reconstruction of historic huts, this workshop is about preserving the stories that are usually only ever passed on with the spoken word.

Megan Bowden from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the workshop organiser, said “There is growing concern across volunteer groups and park managers that a lot of history is disappearing without being recorded. There are a number of Indigenous and other volunteer groups and parks staff interested in recording this history from right across the Australian Alps.

“The workshop will develop skills for Indigenous and other parks staff and volunteers in interviewing and recording oral history before it is gone. There is a growing support group interested in recording this history and its preservation will benefit parks agencies and the families and communities associated with the mountains. It is expected that people from right across the Australian Alps region will attend.”

The training will be provided by noted Canberra-based historian Matthew Higgins, who is also a Senior Curator at the National Museum of Australia. Mr Higgins has delivered a number of these courses before.

The gathering is being sponsored by the Australian Alps Liaison Committee (AALC), a body incorporating government agencies that manage the Australian Alps national parks (AAnp); the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Parks Victoria, and ACT Parks, Conservation and Lands.

The workshop is being run at Cabramurra, Australia’s highest town, with the support of Snowy Hydro Limited and will incorporate field trips on Sunday to visit the Snowy Scheme or walk into Four Mile Hut near Mt Selwyn.

Media Enquiries

Megan Bowden
Mobile 0428 294 685