The HNE Health Libraries team is delighted to announce that we have once again been successful in securing a second round of the Community Heritage Grant from the National Library of Australia.
This grant will fund a Preservation Needs Assessment (PNA), which will be conducted in the coming months by Tegan Anthes from Collect Preserve . The process promises to offer valuable insights into the care and conservation of our historical collection and has already proven to be a deeply enriching learning experience for our team.
The Community Heritage Grant program supports non-profit community organisations in preserving locally held but nationally significant collections. It also aims to improve public accessibility to these collections. The CHG is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (Office for the Arts), in partnership with the National Library of Australia, National Archives of Australia, National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum of Australia.
👉 Learn more about CHG and how to apply: Community Heritage Grants | National Library of Australia (NLA) click here
Earlier this year, our historical collection underwent a National Significance Assessment conducted by Dr. Fiona Starr from Australian Lived Histories, made possible through our first CHG grant. This assessment evaluated the provenance and relevance of the HNE Health Libraries historical collection in the context of Australian medical history and other national collections.
The collection has been donated by several local clinicians—many of whom have retired or passed away—serves to support the education of health professionals. Among the most notable contributions are materials from John Algie and Dr. Irvine John Hunter, the namesake of John Hunter Hospital. Resources related to Dr. Hunter are considered nationally, and potentially internationally, significant due to their rich research potential.
The outcomes of the significance assessment will guide future planning around collection management, conservation, community engagement, educational programming, and interpretation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who shared their personal reflections on the collection’s importance to themselves, the organisation, and the wider community. These resources are more than historical artefacts—they are enduring symbols of the innovation and dedication that have shaped modern healthcare. They remind us of the legacy we inherit and the visionaries who paved the way.
Next steps: We are actively seeking further grants and funding opportunities to continue preserving and sharing this valuable collection.
📄 You can read the complete report here.
📩 For more information about the Historical Collection Significance Assessment, please contact Cherish McDonald.