Dubbo and Wellington’s history will be preserved for generations, and made accessible for people across the globe, thanks to a grant from the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today announced $99,600 for Dubbo Regional Council to establish a ‘digital hub’ for the region’s collections.
The project will be spearheaded by the Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC), but also digitise collections held at the Old Dubbo Gaol, Wellington Caves, Dundullimal and Wellington Historical Museum.
“To start with the project will require the input of specialist contractors to capture high-resolution images of the many thousands of artefacts from six regional collections across the five facilities,” Mr Saunders said.
“But as it progresses, staff and volunteers will be upskilled to continue digitising the collections as they grow.
“It’s a massive task, but a really worthwhile one that will allow people across our region and around the world to access and explore these pieces of our history, and contribute to research.”
Dubbo Regional Council is contributing $22,110 to the project, joining with the NSW Government in its push to improve online collection access and collection protection through digitisation.
Cultural development coordinator Jessica Moore said the team is “so excited” to start to “revolutionise how people can access the amazing collections we have out here”.
“We really strive to make our collection as accessible to as many people as possible,” Ms Moore said.
“We know how amazing they are, we know how interesting and insightful and reflective of our region they are, and we just want people to see them.
“If you’re a researcher in New Zealand, or a teacher in America, you will be able to get a small bite of western NSW which is so exciting to be a part of!”