2021-22 ACT Heritage Grants

The ACT Heritage Minister, Rebecca Vassarotti announced today that FHACT has received funding for two 2020-21 Heritage projects.

The Canberra Pioneers project is an expansion of last year's pilot project to digitise and index part of the Father Brian Maher collection. This collection contains material on the early Catholic settlers of the ACT and surrounding region. As part of a two-year project FHACT will be scanning and indexing around half of the collection - around 200 additional family records. The project will provide better search capabilities and easier access for the collection, ensuring its use long into the future. It also offers a chance for volunteers to learn more about Canberra's early pioneering families.

The Canberra Tracks Augmented Reality project will develop content on ten well known Canberra pioneers for the Canberra Tracks scheme. It is an exciting opportunity to combine family history skills with augmented reality technology.  The pioneers chosen this year include Jack and Clare Maguire of Melrose, the Morrisons of Tralee, Patrick Curley of Mugga Mugga and Mr McGee of Tuggeranong School House.  FHACT will research and produce short videos about the pioneers, which will be accessed from the existing sign boards at sites on the Canberra Tracks.

The success of these projects will depend on the skills and time of our members. We are looking for people to help with all aspects of the projects, including scanning, research and writing content. It will be a fantastic opportunity to both learn new skills and put hard-earned skills to good use. And… learn more about the history of our beautiful city!

 An information session will be held via Zoom on Thursday 9 Sept at 4 pm.  More details on both projects and how you can get involved will be discussed.  Book via the website  or contact secretary@familyhistoryact.org.au for more information.