Local sporting history preserved for community
Published on 31 May 2016
Hundreds of scrapbooks full of our Region’s sporting highlights have been donated to the Rockhampton Library History Centre thanks to the generosity of Mr Colin Hamilton (OAM).
Rockhampton Regional Council’s Community Services Committee Chair Councillor Rose Swadling said the donation was a valuable and very significant contribution.
“This collection of 300 scrapbooks of our local sporting achievements is absolutely remarkable and we’re incredibly grateful that Mr Hamilton has donated it to us to take care of, and for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Swadling said.
“The thousands of articles, photographs, letters and commentary, predominately of our local hockey scene, but also of other sports including cricket, boxing, cycling and the Olympics, has been carefully collected for the past 50 years.
“Mr Hamilton’s uncle, Arthur Smith, also collected clippings from variety of Australia-wide newspapers starting from 1927, into the 1930s and the late 1940s as well.
“The collection has been meticulously organised by Mr Hamilton in such a way that people who wish to research different sports, or who may be looking for a family member, can find the information quicker than going through old newspaper files.
“It really is an extraordinary collection and one we’re very proud to have a role in preserving for our community and future generations,” Cr Swadling said.
The History Centre will ensure this snapshot of our past is properly stored and preserved so the general public can view it or carry out research.
The collection will be kept in archival standard conditions in the History Centre’s controlled environment with the temperature kept at 18 – 20C, humidity at between 50 -55 % and lights controlled by sensor.
This is to ensure that the various collections held in the History Centre are protected from the damages of heat, humidity and light which will ensure that they are kept in good condition for present and future use.
Residents and visitors can further explore our Region’s history, their family history, look up interesting facts or check historical records at Council’s Library History Centre from 9am – 5pm weekdays.
To view the collection, to donate items or for general information, please contact the Rockhampton Regional Library on 4936 8043 or email libraries@rrc@qld.gov.au.