50 Years at State Records
State Records celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2011. During the early part of the 20th Century, the State’s archives were cared for by the Mitchell Library and the Archives Section of the Public Library. By the 1950s, however, moves were underway to establish an independent body to regulate the disposal of public records and to manage the State archives collection. After passage through Parliament during 1960, the Archives Act (No.46 of 1960) commenced on 1 June 1961, and on that day the first Archives Authority (Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and seven members) as well as the Principal Archivist were appointed. The Archives Authority held its first meeting on 29 June.
State Records marked this significant milestone with:
- an official function at NSW Parliament House (speech by Lucy Taksa, Chair of the State Records Board)
- the publication of an anniversary history (State Records NSW 1788-2011, by Dr. Peter Tyler*)
- an online anniversary exhibition (showcasing items from the collection)
- a slideshow (images of ourselves)
- historical notes (highlighting the milestones in the development of the archives) and,
- anniversary bookmarks and postcards
- an Open Day on 28 October 2011.
*We were saddened to note the passing of Dr Peter Tyler on 5 May 2012. On behalf of State Records Dr Tyler wrote both the 50th anniversary history of State Records, State Records NSW, 1788-2011 and volume 2 of the administrative history of NSW, Humble and Obedient Servants, in 2006.
