Historical Assoc awards life membership to Eileen Stewart

June 27th, 2011
[by Coralie Smith]

Eileen Stewart

The highlight of the AGM of the Motueka and Districts Historical Association, held on Saturday, was the presentation of Life Membership to Eileen Stewart who has been a member for almost 30 years, and was President for 6 years.

The rest of her time with the association Eileen has either been on the committee or has led projects such as publishing the journals, organising the 150th celebrations in 1991, gathering the information for the kiosk at the Old Wharf, and running the Research Room at the Motueka Museum.

Her latest project will be completed this year when the Tasman Council lays the historical plaques around the pathway at Decks Reserve. Then Eileen might retire from the committee, but not from enjoying history.

Surprise was her initial response to receiving the life membership citation presented by Jennie Askew, herself a life member. "I'm only doing what I enjoy doing", said Eileen. Long may you continue enjoying history Eileen.

Only a few changes made to the committee at the AGM: Pam Fry has stood down but otherwise the committee stays the same with no new additions.

Peter Millward talks about the Nelson Museum Glass Plate Negative Project

Peter Millward, director of the Nelson Provincial Museum, then talked about the latest project they have taken on and need help with.

The Nelson Provincial Museum has in its care one of the most important photographic collections in New Zealand. This is because it stretches over such a wide period of time and several photographers. There are over one million photographs, 120,000 of which are glass plate negatives that need to be relocated into new industry standard drawers.

In the past, volunteers have had a huge input in putting the glass plates in acid free envelopes and recording everything known about them. There also needs to be an electronic record of the plates so that they can be located more easily than at present. Therefore they will be photographed, information about each image added and then both image and data will be entered into the collection database. Scanning was considered but this process was too slow.

The images will be available on the Museum's website. You will be able to order copies and more importantly you may be able to identify the photographs that have no names attached to them.

The Tasman Bays Heritage Trust has made funding available to kick-start the project but more money is needed to continue the work. A $10 donation will relocate and digitise three glass plate negatives and make them available online. Contact the Nelson Museum by telephone (), email () or click here for their website for more information or donate online to help save this collection.

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