President's Report | Secretary's Report | Management Committee | PHA Services

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

This report is written on behalf of the Management Committee, all of whom have made great contributions to the promotion of the Objects of the Association throughout the year. The report addresses those Objects and reviews progress over the year.

1. To set and maintain standards of professional practice:
Accreditation standards for professional historians have been under review at the national level by ACPHA, with national criteria expected to be finalised at its AGM in Hobart in October. The criteria are expected to be very similar to those existing in NSW.

2. To promote the concept of professional history and the status of professional historians in the community:
The issue of proper accreditation of historians involved in film production work has been raised with Film Australia. This matter is on-going. A grant application has been made for funding to establish a Register of Historic Places and Objects that will serve, among other things, as a showcase for the work of professional historians.

3. To represent professional historians in contractual and employment matters:
Representations were made to the State Library after the last Annual General Meeting concerning the need for readers to be involved in reviews of the Library's functions and processes and for the establishment of a Readers' Council. Several members have taken part in focus groups and in questionnaires that have arisen out of the current review process.

4. To inform professional historians and prospective employers of acceptable standards of employment:
A review of the current fees scale has been ongoing throughout the year and will be finalised shortly. Current fees scales are now available through the Association's Website.

5. To encourage professional development by means such as seminars, workshops and publications:
A seminar, History in Heritage Works, has been organised by members Sue Rosen and Bruce Baskerville, and historian Sharon Veale, to be held on 15 September 1999. It will encourage the development of historians' skills in the field of heritage and further the recognition of those skills by other professionals working in this field. Tony Prescott, Christine de Matos and Bruce Baskerville represented the Association at the 'Virtual Histories Symposium' held at the State Library on 9 July 1999. This seminar indicated the need for further skills development in the areas of research and writing/presenting history, especially in the face of more widespread use of electronic publication.

6. To collect and disseminate information of interest to professional historians:
Phanfare editorial collectives have been organised and overseen by Beverley Johnson. All collectives must be commended for their untiring efforts in keeping all members informed of current issues. Phanfare  readership has now extended well beyond the membership.  The PHA Website has been established and has proved a great success. Many thanks go to Tony Prescott and Christine de Matos for their efforts in this regard. All our publicly available information is now accessible through the Website, including the consulting members' register.

7. To maintain links with similar organisations:
Close links have been maintained with ACPHA, with Tony Prescott taking over from me as the PHA NSW representative. PHA NSW successfully moved within ACPHA for a reduction in capitation fees from $15 to $10 per annum. At the History Council of NSW, Bruce Baskerville was elected as the Council's Treasurer for 1999 and many other members retain membership and positions within the Council.

8. To maintain a register of its members:
The Register of Consulting Historians has now been added to the Website. As yet it is too early to know whether this has increased work or inquiries to those on the register.

Compared with recent years this period has been relatively quiet as far as Big Issues are concerned. But the steady rise in membership over recent years has been heartening. This will be my last year on the Management Committee and I wish to thank all those Committee members I have worked with over the years.

Christopher Keating, President

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SECRETARY'S REPORT

This year began with a consolidation of several matters from previous years, and the beginning of several initiatives that should have significant benefits for Members and Associates in the years to come.

Long term matters that are moving towards some resolution include accreditation standards for professional historians on a national level.  This has been undertaken by ACPHA with extensive consultation across all states over the past two years.  The model that appears to be emerging is largely based on the present PHA NSW system of Members and Associate Members based upon a full, principal degree in history.  This should be finalised at the ACPHA AGM in Hobart later this year.  Another long-term matter with a less definite outcome was discussed at our last AGM.  Historian's workplaces vary greatly, but for many of us libraries and archives, and particularly the State & Mitchell libraries, are ongoing workplaces, and the conditions in such workplaces are of vital importance.  Several members have taken part in the State Library's focus groups through the year, and members will have read their reports in the July Phanfare.

New initiatives this year have involved the establishment of the PHA Website, the planning for the History in Heritage Works seminar, and the planning for the Register of Historic Places & Objects.  The Website came on line in February, and almost immediately there was a noticeable drop in inquiries to the Secretary.  Phone inquirers were directed to consult the site first, and almost all of them were able to find information that they needed.  The addition of the register of consulting members to the site has also been of great benefit in dealing with inquiries from people and organisations looking to commission a historian.  It is important that members listed on the register ensure that their details, especially contact details and areas of expertise, are kept up to date, as this will increasingly become a central medium for obtaining freelance work.

The History in Heritage Works seminar grew from the ashes of a roughly similar project scheduled for History Week last year.  All Members and Associates were invited to present a paper based upon their experience working as a historian in the heritage field.  A large number of responses were received, and this has now been finalised with twelve speakers, all Members or Associates, presenting papers on a diverse range of topics and understandings of the term 'heritage'.  The title of the seminar is meant to convey the idea that history does work in the heritage context by providing a better and more comprehensive contextual understanding of heritage items, and that the role of the professional historian in the heritage field is not limited to just 'doing the history' but can also encompass assessment and the construction of policy approaches.  The seminar will be held on 15 September, and members are urged to register as soon as possible.

The development of the proposed Register of Historic Places & Objects began with the appointment of a working party by last year's Committee.  During the course of this year the concept has been discussed by the Management Committee and has reached the stage of lodging a grant application with the NSW Heritage Office's grants program for funding to engage a professional historian to develop and refine criteria for listing and to actually take the project from a conceptual to an operating stage.   Consultation with Members and Associates experienced and interested in heritage should take place (provided the grant funding is approved) as part of this development.  The Register should showcase the work of historians interested in heritage, place history, toponymy, historic events, fabricated and assembled objects, and many other related fields as well as provide direct experience in research, assessing and writing for and in electronic formats.

Apart from these project-based activities, the Management Committee has also engaged in the usual administrative activities.  The introduction of a Strategic Plan and a Procedures Manual last year under the aegis of my predecessor has reduced this administrative component to a degree and allowed the Committee to focus more on strategic and project issues.  The remaining part of this report is more bureaucratic in nature, but provides information that should allow Members and Associates to make some evaluation of the Committee's performance.

The Management Committee continued to meet at the Hero of Waterloo Hotel in Millers Point on Thursday evenings, and met seven times on a formal basis.  This was one meeting less than the previous committee.  A record of members' attendance is included on the inside cover of this annual report.

A total of thirteen membership applications were received during the year.  Of these, five were accepted for either Membership or Associateship, and a further one application was received and approved to upgrade from Associate Member to Member.  This brought the total membership to 76.  The membership has increased by 16% since the 1995/1996 year (the first year in which an annual report was produced), and indicates that the Association's membership base is healthy.  The membership applications not accepted were generally as a result of their not meeting the criteria for membership (i.e. as a minimum, a first degree with a history major or other experience and qualifications to the satisfaction of the Committee).  At the time of writing two applications were awaiting further information, and a further two were awaiting determination.

Correspondence was handled by the Treasurer to a great degree, who emptied the mailbox and registered all inwards mail before distributing it to the appropriate office bearers or members.  After some initial problems at the beginning of the year, the commencement of this system has greatly improved the handling of correspondence.

No Secretary works alone and I am no different.  My thanks go to all the members of the committee who helped in so many ways with the secretarial tasks this year.  It has been a challenging year made enjoyable and achievable by the co-operation of the Committee members and other Members and Associates working on various projects and tasks.  I thank you all.

Bruce Baskerville, Secretary

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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:
SUB-COMMITTEES, DELEGATES AND WORKING PARTIES

The Association's Management Committee sets up standing advisory sub-committees and appoints delegates to assist it in its work. These appointments are on an annual basis. Temporary working parties are also set up from time-to-time to advise the Committee on specific issues.

STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Standards Committee

Convener: Christa Ludlow
Members: Shirley Fitzgerald, Hilary Golder

The Standards Committee advises the Management Committee on accreditation, contracts, ethics and professional fees. During the year the major issue of accreditation standards continued to be  under consideration at a national level through ACPHA. The Standards Committee is currently working on a revision of the Association's recommended professional fees and guidelines for corporate members.

DELEGATES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THE ASSOCIATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Australian Council of Professional Historians Associations

PHA Representative: Tony Prescott
Alternate: Nicole Secomb

During the year ACPHA continued the process of reviewing and standardising accreditation standards with general national consensus now having been achieved. The Council is also moving to consider the issue of accreditation of training institutions, at the instigation of the PHA NSW.

History Council of NSW

PHA Representative: Bruce Baskerville
Alternate: Nicole Secomb

The History Council of NSW functions as a peak body for the organised history communities in NSW.  Elections for executive positions resulted in Dr Wendy Brady of the Aboriginal Research Centre at UNSW being elected president and PHA representative Bruce Baskerville elected Treasurer.  The History Council has continued its rather nomadic existence, once again relocating, temporarily, to the UNSW campus at Kensington.  The Council has had significant input into the selection of judges for the annual NSW Premier's History Awards, to be presented at Government House on 13 September, and has provided the organisational structure for the annual History Week to be held this year between 18 and 25 September.  Regional initiatives for historians and researchers beyond Sydney will be a focus for the coming year.

History Advisory Panel

PHA Representative: Joan Kent
Alternate: Paul Ashton

The History Advisory Panel provides broad policy advice to the Heritage Council of NSW, the state government's principal heritage policy and regulatory body.  The Panel meets quarterly, and is chaired by Heritage Council member Dr Carol Liston.  Matters dealt with by the Panel over the past year salient to the PHA include the development of a policy paper on the need for regional historians to be appointed across the NSW, and for historians appointed to large scale State projects for the life of a project; continuing discussion of the State historical themes and the possible production of a volume of thematic histories; and maintaining a general overview of the Your State Your Place program, a community based historical research program developed as an adjunct to the State Heritage Inventory.  The role of oral history and of local history/studies collections in heritage work are issues that will be addressed at future meetings.

State Archives Customer Council

PHA Representative: Sue Rosen

The Customer Council of the NSW Archives Office met during the year, with no new matters of note being raised.

Australian Historical Association

Correspondent: Paul Ashton

No report.

WORKING PARTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED DURING THE YEAR

Historic Places Register

Bruce Baskerville, Tony Prescott

This was a continuation of the 1997-1998 working party. During the year the SHI software was obtained and a grant application was prepared under the Heritage Assistance Program.

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PHA SERVICES

The Association's organisation consists of three divisions: Administration Services, Professional Services and Information Services. Within each division are a number of business units responsible for the Association's services.

ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

Secretariat

Executive Officer (Secretary): Bruce Baskerville
Finance Officer (Treasurer): Beverley Johnson
Agenda Officer: Bruce Baskerville
Database Officer: Beverley Johnson
Records Officer: Sigrid McCausland

See Secretary's Report.

Public Relations

Public Relations Officer: Vacant
Alternate: Tony Prescott
Media contact: the President

The major public relations event during the year has been the Association's Website which has raised the profile of the Association significantly, both in Australia and overseas. (Some New Zealand information was placed on the site, partly in appreciation of the PHA New Zealand for featuring the PHA NSW site on its own Home page.) Arrangements were made to place the Website URL in the Association's entries in telephone and other directories. University History Departments in NSW and the ACT were also contacted with view to providing Association and career information to staff and students through Website links.

Social Activities

Co-ordinator: Pauline Curby
Alternate: Nicole Secomb

During the year a visit was organised to an  exhibition on migration at the National Maritime Museum. Other events were the AGM and Christmas function and regular gatherings after Management Committee meetings.

PHA Collection - Mitchell Library

Co-ordinator: Sue Rosen

The Association's collection of members' unpublished work in the State Library of NSW was maintained and augmented with some new accessions.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Consultants' Register

Co-ordinator: Paul Ashton

The PHA's Register of Consulting Historians continues to be in demand and numerous copies were sent out during the year, often with supporting information. In May 1999 the Register was put on-line on the Association's Web site, integrated with supporting information about its use. In the first month of usage of the electronic Register before the end of the reporting period, most members had received about 10-20 requests on their individual pages.

Professional Advisory Service

Professional Adviser: Sue Rosen

There was minor usage of  the PHA's Professional Advisory Service during the year. In May the service went on-line on the Association's Web site.

Library

Librarian: Terri McCormack
Alternate: Eve Stenning

The Librarian's monthly summary of  incoming material in Phanfare continued together with the usual regular acquisitions. The library now has a page on the Association's Web site and is entered in the National Library's electronic 'Australian Libraries Gateway.'

Professional Development

Co-ordinator: Grace Karskens
Unit members: Paul Ashton, Pauline Curby, Chris Keating, Tony Prescott

No specific professional development activities occurred during the year. However, several links on practice information were placed on the Association's Web site.

INFORMATION SERVICES

PHA Publications

Co-ordinator: Tony Prescott
Alternate: Paul Ashton
Website Manager: Christine de Matos
Acting Project Manager, Heritage Register: Joan Kent

The major publication project during the year was the Association's Website (www.phansw.org.au). This is a comprehensive electronic directory of the PHA, its information and services, also with links to outside events and information. The site was established late in 1998 and was publicly launched in February 1999. It has been an outstanding success, making a major impact on the Australian history scene, as well as internationally. By the end of the reporting year it had attracted over 1,800 new requests since February. In the three-month period since detailed statistics were available from late March, a total of some 6,500 requests ('hits') were made on all its pages (excluding graphics files), an average of over 60 a day. The site has also provided some relief for the Association secretariat and for its publications and postage budgets by attracting direct enquiries for information.

Work on the Association's proposal for a heritage register of historic places and objects was also commenced with acquisition of software, application for heritage funding and appointment of an acting Project Manager.

Preparation of Monograph No. 3 (Native Title) resumed during the year, having been deferred to enable implementation of the Web site. Brochures and stationery have been updated to include reference to the Web site. In a major venture into electronic publishing most of the brochures, and extracts from the Annual Reports, have also been made available digitally through the Website.

Phanfare

Co-ordinator: Beverley Johnson

Editorial Collectives:  Rosemary Broomham, Rosemary Kerr, Terri McCormack; Bruce Baskerville, Alison Comrie, Nicole Secomb; Grace Karskens, Christine Cheater, Tony Prescott; Terry Kass, Beverley Johnson, Carol Liston

Feature writers: Christine de Matos (What's On); Terri McCormack (Library Report)

Although primarily for members, the Association's monthly magazine is also the public face of the PHA. Usually the Association does not receive feedback unless someone strongly disagrees with an opinion expressed, but even that is positive because it reminds the Association of the range of people who see and read it. Occasionally material submitted is rejected by one or more editorial collectives. That freedom is implicit in the formation of the collectives. Perhaps the collectives should bring out The Reject Issue (which would have very few pages) and let the reader be the judge! There are other occasions when an item may not appear because there is insufficient additional material to fill the space created - Phanfare is put together in four page segments.

The cost of producing Phanfare has remained within its budget. In 1998 the subscription was increased to $35 for new subscribers, and this year that amount will apply to all subscribers. It will be interesting to see if our Web site has any influence on subscriptions. The Phanfare award of the year goes to the members of the collective who put together the May issue, when the production of Phanfare was in direct competition with the arrival of Rosemary Broomham's grandchild. Congratulations to both production teams!

During the year Phanfare also took the first steps towards digitisation with What's On and the Phanfare indexes being made available through the Association's Web site.

Public History Review

PHA Editors: Paul Ashton, Christopher Keating, Christa Ludlow

Public History Review continues to be published annually. It also continues to receive a grant from the NSW Ministry for the Arts. PHR is also obtaining general support from the Australian Centre for Public History at the University of Technology, Sydney. The journal's editorial committee is currently planning to publish a joint international edition of PHR with the North American journal The Public Historian.

Copyright PHA NSW 1999

Web version
Site URL: www.phansw.org.au
Last updated 3 August 1999