The 2019 Western Australian State Heritage and History Conference will be held at the Westin Hotel 29th & 30th April, situated in the heart of the Hibernian Place with the theme 'Handle with Care'
The Conference Program and registration information are available at:-
https://meetingmasters.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/washhc2019/washhc.
Places, stories and collections face many threats. Environment, time, misuse, neglect or even misguided good intent can corrode, corrupt or devalue. As custodians and curators we are familiar with conservation and care in the physical context. This conference, however, also seeks to explore other elements of heritage, history and collections that may need to be ‘handled with care’.
‘Dark heritage’ is a concept that recognises the need to reflect all elements of the past in understanding and interpreting a place. This may include uncomfortable truths, or historical perspectives that have previously been hidden from view. Without proper guidance there is a risk of sensationalism, using history to shock and thrill and trivialising events whose impact may still be felt within current generations.
When handled with care and sensitivity, these darker elements of our past have the potential to build a full understanding of a place; to provide the visitor, tourist or student with a balanced and informed history; to respect and acknowledge the impacts of past acts.
The conference is supported by Principal Sponsors the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the Heritage Council of Western Australia.
The program is developed with the assistance of an industry Advisory Board representing heritage, history, collections, tourism and local government.
WA Branch Convenor, Dr Pauline Joseph and Branch member, Dr Mark Brogan, will jointly present a Day 1 paper on digital disruption and the memory of government. For further information click the conference program link for the 1:30PM session 'Written/Unwritten'
ASA Inc. (WA) has recently joined the Conference Advisory Board.
The WA State Heritage and History conference is held every two years and reaches out tp all of the GLAM organisations and disciplines. It provides ASA members with good networking opportunities with like-minded professionals. Further, it provides us with professional development in cross discipline areas of heritage and history, closely linked to our profession.
Conference registration is now open and Mark and I hope to see many of you at this important local conference.
Pauline Joseph & Mark Brogan
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