Ed,
On 28th April 2009, I wrote to the Mayor advising of my thoughts on a community storage facility. A reply was received to my letter on 29th June 2009 from the Mayor, indicating that my idea had merit but there were no funds for such a project. In the intervening period, I have spoken to many individuals about this facility and consequently I have decided to forward a letter to the Independent.
For some time, I have been aware that there is a void in the preservation of records of current and past voluntary organisations in the Clarence Valley. I have been involved with various organisations over my time in Grafton and it is obvious that once executives change, there takes place a “passing on” of the various records of the organisation to the new regime.
There are quite a number of organisations in the valley, which due to various reasons have ceased to exist. Consequently, the records of these organisations are in houses, garages, sheds etc of the main office bearers at the time of the organisation’s demise. Also, there are organisations, which are still functioning however the storage of surplus records becomes quite a burden. These records would be a beneficial resource to research the Clarence Valley’s history in specific areas. Individuals have, and will, expend numerous hours on a variety of projects within the voluntary structure of organisations and this “history” should not be discarded or destroyed.
I would like to see one storage facility in Grafton and one in the Lower River area and the purpose of these facilities would be as follows:
- To house the records of organisations, which have ceased to operate, and
- To store surplus records of organisation, which are still operating.
These facilities would need to be fireproof, vermin proof and free from silverfish etc which as you would be aware can destroy paper records.
The following should be available to the public:
- An application form for lodgement, which would request all relevant details of the records. This form would also stipulate who can have access to the records. In some circumstances, this situation would need to be analysed as old executive members may move away etc,
- Provision of archive boxes for the lodgement of the records,
- Photocopier for the copying of records so that the original did not leave the facility. A small photocopying charge could be applied.
- Table to be used by the public to lay records out for perusal,
- Storage shelves for the boxes,
- Catalogue of the contents of the facility.
If the volume of records surpasses the facility, then it should have the capacity to be increased in size.
A service club could be approached to provide custodial supervision of these records as a community service.
I will again write to the Mayor to gauge his current thoughts on this facility.
Kevin Walter, Waterview Heights