ANNOUNCEMENT ON JAMES FLETCHER HOSPITAL PRECINCT AND NEWCASTLE 'TIME TEAM'
On the 28th June 2010 NSW Minister for the Hunter, the Hon. Jodi McKay made two announcements on the future of the James Fletcher Hospital site and the formation of the Newcastle Time Team of archaeologists and expert landscape investigators. The announcements were made at Monet's Cafe, James Fletcher Hospital.
Both projects, spearheaded by the Coal River Working Party (CRWP) of the University of Newcastle, celebrate Governor Lachlan Macquarie's 2010 bicentennial year and enjoy patronage from Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO Governor of NSW and Minister McKay. Gionni di Gravio Esq, Chair of the CRWP said the projects complemented the aims of the CRWP of , "world recognition for Newcastle and the Hunter Region's historical contribution to the development of the Australian nation".
The JFH site is a prime site of cultural capital that encompasses the original seat of Government dating from 1804, the first government house and garden, military barracks, parade ground, and original convict coal workings along with a range of more recent asylum and hospital buildings.
The Newcastle Time Team (NTT) emulates the format of the popular Channel Four TV series from the UK, "Time Team" with Tony Robinson. Here in Newcastle a group of archaeologists, historians, geologists, surveyors and landscape analysts will use their expert investigation skills with buried, submerged and archival evidence to verify Newcastle's tangible evidence. The NTT enjoys membership from consultant archaeologists, local firms such as Monteath & Powys, community representatives, Awabakal Traditional Owners, and staff from a number of organisations including University of Newcastle, Institution of Surveyors, Newcastle City Council, Land & Property Management Authority, University of New England, National Trust of Australia and Newcastle Port Corporation.
The NTT works closely with government regulators and as is pleased to be able to collaborate with Excavation Directors Paul Rheinberger and Angela Besant, both qualified consultant archaeologists, to ensure the projects meet stringent requirements under the NSW archaeological permit system.
The 2010 priority project for the NTT will be to locate the inscription stone laid by Governor Lachlan Macquarie on 5 August 1818, heralding the construction of Macquarie Pier between 1818 and 1846, linking the mainland with Nobbys Island. The archaeological investigation will be preceded by a special ceremony in August, honouring Governor Macquarie and the present day Governor of NSW Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir who will lay a commemorative plaque close to the historic inscription stone, until the NTT finds the exact location.
Both sites, James Fletcher Hospital and Macquarie Pier, have become visual and historic icons for Novocastrians and are among the few remaining relics of outstanding National heritage significance in Newcastle. They both demonstrate the City's 'living history', and transition from Australia's convict past to the thriving economic and cultural metropolis of the present day.
For more info: http://governmenthousebarracks1804.wordpress.com/
For more info on Newcastle history through the Coal River Working Party click here: http://coalriver.wordpress.com/
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Newcastle area - 15 April 2005by Puddles1872341 views
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