FUNDING of $1100 has been approved for the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) to assist in the recording of the oral history of Australia’s printing industry.
Curator of the Museum of Printing at NERAM Ben Thorn has spent the past five years interviewing veterans of the industry and transcribing their tales which will form the basis for a book.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the grant was part of the NSW Government’s Cultural Grants 2013 program which provides funding for historical societies and communities across NSW.
“It’s great that we are able to support this project as it aims to record and preserve an important aspect of Australia’s history,” Mr Marshall said.
“This funding will help Mr Thorn with his research and the transcribing of the many interviews he’s conducted. Since beginning this project he’s interviewed more than 80 people; the oldest was 99 and began working in the printing industry in 1930.”
Mr Thorn was delighted with the grant and said it was important to understand the changes that have occurred in the printing industry, not only in terms of the technology used but how cultural changes have impacted on industry’s approach to work.
“I’m interviewing all sorts of people who were in printing in the second part of last century and looking at their work practices. I’m interested in all aspects of the industry,” Mr Thorn said.
