Teaching heritage – using the database
Using this search engine (this section I have taken from the website)
Read the tips for searching. Every search engine you use on the internet is
different always read the instructions first. This will help you get the best
results.
The following tips will help you when searching:
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You can type either upper or lower case.
If you get too few or no matching records try entering fewer criteria
and search again.
If you get too many matching records, try entering more criteria and
search again.
You only need to type the first few letters of a word or text, eg. "hillv"
will find "Hillview".
Normal searches look for the word at the beginning of a field, eg.
"church" will find "Church of Christ"
Wildcard searches look for the word anywhere in a field but will take
longer, eg. "%church" will find "Church of Christ" and also "St John's
Church"
Speed your search by selecting options in key fields such as Local
Government Area or Listings.
Your search can be restricted to fully described items by checking the
Information complete only box.
Search engine Sleuth
Search by any Local government area and look at the search result …how many items are listed
Examine one of the items and give some basic information eg
What is it ?
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archaeological
built
landscape
moveable or collection
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group or complex
When was it listed?
How old is it?
What is significant about it?
Under Local government for
Deniliquin
What is the address of the Public school and Headmaster’s Residence?
Under name of item type in “archaeology”
Describe the result
Enter the year “1800” in the Name of Item box
What is the result? Give details about the building.
Enter the word “hall” in Organisation Name…
Which hall is the oldest?
Try a wildcard search in Organsiation Name for church
How many churches are there in the State Heritage Register
How many heritage items are there in your town?
Which is the oldest?
What is the name of the last lighthouse keeper at the Byron Bay lighthouse?
Search for the number of entries under Pitt Street
What is the combined total of items?
Conduct a wildcard search for “cave”
Locate these caves on a map of NSW
Narrowing the search
In Name of Organisation enter “union”
How many items are there in the result?
Now narrow your search
In Name of Organsiation enter “union” and in Suburb/Town enter Parramatta.
How many items this time?
Search under the Heritage Listings for State Heritage register and also enter the name of your to
What is the result?
If you don’t get any results try another town eg. Camden
How many this time?
Search under the Heritage Listings for State Heritage register and also enter under Name of item
How many items are listed?
Which one is the most recent item?
Describe it.
Find out if there is a heritage listed cemetery in your Local Government area. This means in Sea
and then under Local Government find the name of your Local government and click on Search.
Blue Mountains. Use a map of the area and see if you can locate the cemeteries.
Search under: Cumberland County Council list of Heritage buildings
Locate a building in Parramatta
Name
Date built
Historical significance
Physical description
Infotivities – these involve a more search skills
Find the annotated Heritage form. Go to the NSW Database> Find out more>State Heritage Inve
What would you use this for?
Can you think of a building or place in your community that should be on the Heritage list?
Extension
Print out the form. Decide on a building in your local council area. Make application to include yo
Tick the box for Information complete only and search Heritage listings under Heritage Act – s.1
Write a one page article for a magazine connected to this item.
What can you find out about the Church Missionary Society?
Write a 10 point Facts file about it.
Conduct a wildcard search for “pipe”.
Write a review on one of the more interesting items.
Locate Jenolan Caves. Using the information and images, design a tourist brochure for NSW To
Under Heritage Listings bring up the title Within a conservation area within LEP and then tick the
means you only want items with full information details).
How many items?
How many have images?
Develop a Timeline for these heritage listings.
Find the name of a court house that gives full Information details and can be found in the State H
about this building.
What is significant about Dame Eadith Walker?
Develop a timeline for this item.
Which schoolhouse also has a tree under the Heritage listing?
Imagine you were a student at this school in the 1800’s. Write about your life in this village and g
schoolhouse and other items of interest. (Ebenezer)
Search in World Heritage listings.
How many are listed under the NSW Heritage act?
On a blank map of NSW locate the World Heritage listings.
Find Willandra Lakes
Where are they located?
How many years has there been continuous human occupation in this area?
Additional activities
Go to:
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/shi/shi_2.htm
What is a Heritage listing?
Name some of the buildings and sites that can be included on a Heritage Listing.
http://www.spherion.com.au/heritage/inventory/search/search.cfm
and search the database. Enter the name of your suburb or town and ask it to conduct a search
heritage listed buildings or sites.
How many Heritage listings are there for your suburb or town?
Choose one of these Heritage listings in your town or suburb and research and list 4 facts about
Read and follow the instructions for a wildcard search at: http://www.spherion.com.au/heritag
then type in %hall
Look at the results and give their names, city and year/s of construction
Go to:
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/shi/shi_1.htm
Click on Hill 60
What is significant about this State Heritage listed site?
Read through the information about the site.
What is a midden? What is their significance and what does it tell you about the site?
What is the name of the Aboriginal people who have lived in this area? Using library resources w
tribe?
Infotivity
You are developing a brochure to advertise this site as a possible place for schools to conduct s
outstanding facts about the site. Include a map of its location and photographs or illustrations of
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/shi/shi_1.htm
is the following information
Through this process, information and photographs from the following Local Government Areas are now available w
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Bourke
City of Sydney
Wollongong
To find these items in the database go to the Search page, then select the relevant Local Government Area and se
Go to:
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/shi/shi_1.htm
Search for a foundry
What is significant about this foundry?
When was it listed as a Heritage item?
Which of the State Heritage criteria does this building meet?
Infotivity
1. Go to: http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/foundry.asp
2. Use the information on this site to design an advertisement for your local paper for the sa
Search and locate Buhrich House II
Where is this house built and who was it built for?
Infotivity
Compare the work of these architects: Hugh Buhrich, Sydney Anchor, Harry Seidler, and Arthur
Find examples of the buildings they designed. Check the Heritage register under the names of t
recorded.
Locate Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery
How long has it operated as a cemetery?
When was it closed?
Who provided the land for the original cemetery?
Why did it later become called a “memorial” cemetery?
Infotivity
1. Examine the records and you will find some important people buried here: such as Memo
memorials to the following : Mother Mary MacKillop, William Tunks MLA, a prominent bus
international swimming champion, Sir John Sulman, noted architect and David William G
momentous first cricket Test victory against the English. Find out the dates they were bor
2. Choose one of these people and write a brief description of their lives for entry into an Au
Find Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf
What is the name of the Aboriginal people who originally lived in this area?
Where does the name of the wharf originate?
What is this wharf famous for?
The Carwoola homestead has a very important historical link with an explorer.
Who is it? Locate it on a map of NSW
Infotivity
Research the famous explorer. Write a one page “This is my Life” on the explorer.
Conduct a wildcard search on “wool”
Find a northern Sydney suburban home from the results.
What is the name of the house and who designed and built it?
Infotivity
You are writing a history textbook on Australian architecture. Give a brief description of the Syd
examples of architects names and their buildings.
Search under Local Government area for Bourke.
What is the name of the Mosque listed in the results?
Who was responsible for building it?
Infotivity
Research the history of Afghan traders in Australia. Develop a brochure for the local Bourke mu
Afghan traders.
What is amusu?’
Why is it so important?
Infotivity
Design a poster advertising one of the early Australian films.
Write a page review of the early Australian film industry.
Search in the Local Government area for Woolongong
What site of significance has been Heritage listed related to Catholic Nuns?
What was the Lady Denman (M.V.)?
What is the significance of this vessel?
Look in a Sydney street directory for mention of Parks & streets named after the Denmans. Mak
Infotivity
1. Who was the real Lady Denman? Use your library resources and the Internet to find out m
2. Create a poster highlighting the Lady Denman Heritage Centre. To assist you find more in
http://www.ladydenman.asn.au/
3. Find out as much as you can about Walter Reeks. Write a commemorative article for the
4. You are writing an article for the Department of Transport on Sydney Ferries for their new
ferries including: how they were constructed, how long they remained in service.
Bedervale
http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/bedervalebraid.html
When was the house built?
List 5 significant facts about Bedervale.
Who was the architect? And who was the builder?
Infotivity
1. You are a travel writer for a national newspaper. Imagine you have just spent a weekend
the historical significance of Bedervale as well as how you found the accommodation and
the these services.
2. Imagine you are one of the descendants of the original owner of Bedervale. Investigate th
3. Use resources in your library such as Australian encyclopaedia and this search engine ht
Find out as much as you can about John Verge. Give an account of the houses he designed
You are a Real Estate agent
Choose a Hunters Hill residence that is on the State Heritage Register and write an impressive a
property. Give some details about its history, location and present condition.
Conduct a search of the Ku-ring-Gai local Government area. Which State Registered house was
Who was Walter Burley Griffin?
Give brief biographical details about Walter Burley Griffin to be used in a book on famous archite
Make a list of the places and buildings that he was responsible for in Australia.
You have just purchased an old house and you wish to find out more about its history and you a
Where will you find information about the history of a heritage house and appropriate colour sch
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/faqs/faqs.htm
(http://www.oldhouses.com.au/)
You want to become a volunteer at an archaeological site. How do you go about it.
http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/faqs/faqs.htm
Conduct a search of the Ku-ring-Gai local Government area. Which house in the State Heritage
gardens.
Who were Professor Eben and Janet Waterhouse? Search your library resources and the intern
brochure about the house, gardens and the Professor to be handed out to visitors who have com
Open Days in autumn.
Conduct a wildcard search for gardens of Sydney city.
Which is the oldest Botanical Garden in the Southern Hemisphere?
Produce a timeline for these gardens.
Where is the Third Government Farm located?
What is significant about this site?
Infotivity
You are a soldier in the Battle of Vinegar Hill. Write a letter to your relatives in England telling th
What are the alternative meanings of Bungarribee
How many children did John Campbell have when he arrived in Australia?
How much was the house sold for in 1828?
When was it demolished?
What is an interesting fact about the man in charge of the demolition?
What is the Great Drain?
Give an explanation of its construction.
What are the house sites used for today?
Infotivity
Conduct a search under Street name: Australia
Examine the information in the Hall of Champions. It is the year 2009, write a proposal to the ad
about a famous swimming hero that you think should be included. Suggest some of the memora
Champions.
Under Suburb/Town enter: Brewarrina
What item is on the State Heritage register for this town?
Infotivity
You are a volunteer archaeologist. Write an information sheet about Fish Traps.
Conduct a wildcard search under Name of item for: convict
Examine the records for the Newcastle item on the State Heritage Register.
Make a timeline for this highly prized site.
Conduct a combined search under
Name of Street: Windsor
Local Government area: Blacktown City
Why does this site have immense research potential?
Infotivity
Who was Richard Rouse? Imagine you are one of his descendants. Write a short account of his