FREE PUBLIC TALK ON THE ROLE OF THE NSW GOVERNMENT IN WW1 September 2015 State Records is participating in History Week 2015’s War – Nationalism and Identity with a free public talk on the role of the NSW Government in the Great War. Treasures from the Great War will be presented by Senior Archivist, Gail Davis, drawing from archival material to present the inspiring stories of NSW Government employees who contributed to the war effort both in military action abroad and by carrying out essential services at home. State Records Director Geoff Hinchcliffe said the session will give a fascinating insight into life in NSW during the war years. “The talk will profile the selfless contributions of our NSW government employees who went to war, those who survived and those who did not return,” Mr Hinchcliffe said. “More than 11,000 New South Wales public servants volunteered for military service overseas during WWI and more than 1,500 gave their lives for their country. Others fulfilled essential roles at home on the railways and harbour, as police officers, teachers, administrators, printers, clerks, draftsmen and nurses. For the first time women were given opportunities to work as equals that we all take for granted today. Our government departments were transformed to perform new wartime activities like weapons manufacturing and flight training,” he said. “We have drawn on our records including the military horse census and material from Gallipoli to develop personal stories of these war time heroes – many are on display in our exhibition.” “I urge everyone with an interest in NSW history to come along and learn more about this important period in our State’s history,” Mr Hinchcliffe said. Details: When: 7 September 2015, 10am – 12 noon Where: State Records, 143 O'Connell Street, Kingswood Free but bookings are essential at 02 9673 1788 or [email protected] Includes a guided tour of the Public Service/War Service exhibition. State Records will add the following new topics to its NSW Anzac Centenary website http://nswanzaccentenary.records.nsw.gov.au/ • Premier William Holman – his leadership and contribution to the NSW war effort • War on the Home Front – NSW and the conflict over conscription • NSW Memorials and honour rolls – from records found in the NSW State Archives |
