Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2014-2015
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
Cust Museum Oral History Project: Memories of rural women in North Canterbury
Project Leader(s):
Dr Jane Buckingham (Senior Lecturer, History); Dr Joanna Cobley (Lecturer, History)
Host Department/Organization:
History (HACA)/Cust Museum
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Affiliation to project
Mr Bernard Kingsbury
Curator of Cust Museum
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
Cust museum is a North Canterbury local history museum which strives to preserve histories of the rapidly
changing region of North Canterbury. It is located in the small rural village of Cust, between Rangiora and
Oxford on the ‘Inland Scenic Route 72’. The museum is part of the North Canterbury group of local museums
which includes the museums of Oxford and Rangiora. It is a repository of artefacts and documents relating to
the history of the region but has only a small collection of oral histories. Cust has an interesting demographic.
Families have farmed there for generations and, as farming patterns change, large farms are being broken
into smaller lifestyle blocks and new families and individuals are migrating in from Christchurch. People who
remember the old farming practices and women who live in the local village are now elderly and retired. This
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project involves collaboration with the Cust museum in recording and preserving a part of the local history
which is rapidly being lost. It focusses on the histories of women in the Cust region, and aims to research
and record between ten and twenty oral histories for archival preservation in the Cust Museum.
Specific tasks include:
- Collaborating with History supervisor and Cust Museum curator in preparing Oral history interview
schedules, arranging interviews and managing interview permissions.
- Participating in discussions with the Cust Museum curator and volunteers to explain the project and
to communicate the results.
- Participating in small community meetings to explain the project and the student’s role
- Researching individuals interviewed to provide a short biographical entry for curatorial purposes
- Adding the curated materials to the Museum’s developing online catalogue
- Writing a report on the project for deposit in the Cust Museum.
This project will build upon current connections between Canterbury Historical Association, the Department
of History and the volunteer based museums of North Canterbury. It will support the development of new
forms of professional, social and cultural linkages between the University of Canterbury and the communities
of North Canterbury. The project will provide an opportunity for the student to experience community based
research and hands on curatorial work in a volunteer based local museum; a valuable integration of
university and workplace in preparation for further study and later career development.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
The student will be expected to work on the project Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. He or she will need to
conduct interviews in various locations – mainly private homes – within the Cust village and environs and to
work within the Cust museum. It is likely that the student will also work in the central and Macmillan Brown
libraries at university of Canterbury as well as North Canterbury libraries and museums.
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
n/a
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
The student will participate in a local community museum run entirely by volunteers. He or she will learn how
volunteer organisations work, how museums interact with the community and with educational bodies such
as universities and schools. The student will gain both workplace experience and develop specialist oral
history and curatorial skills transferable both to MA study in History and to a possible future career in
community history and museum work at local or national levels.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
- Knowledge of New Zealand history, particularly women’s history and or rural history
- An Honours degree in History at 2:1 or above.
- Ability to communicate and develop a professional rapport with community members
- Ability to listen and transcribe accurately oral history recordings
- Ability to self-motivate and work independently
- A professional and courteous approach to elderly and sometimes infirm members of the community
- The ability to manage and maintain relevant records including receipts as needed.
- Driving licence and access to a vehicle
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