From the 1970s to the 1990s, Cessnock historian Jack Delaney interviewed hundreds of people in the Hunter Valley in his quest to record local history.
These folk were from many different backgrounds and occupations and their stories provide a vivid social history of the 20th century in our part of the world.
The University of Newcastle Library’s Cultural Collections team has been working closely with Coalfields Heritage Group to digitise Mr Delaney’s cassette tapes and make them available to the world online.
The project, titled Voices of the Hunter, will be launched at the University of Newcastle Auchmuty Library’s Cultural Collections Reading Room on Thursday, July 21 from 12pm to 2pm.
Coalfields Heritage Group secretary Brian Andrews OAM will give a short talk about Mr Delaney (who died in 2010, aged 91).
Interviewees and their families are invited to attend. A full list of names is available at www.coalandcommunity.com/oralhistory.
RSVP for catering purposes by July 14 to 4921 5354 or archives@newcastle.edu.au.
