Hawkesbury Library Service has been successful in its application for funding under the 2025 Community Heritage Grants, an initiative of the National Library of Australia.
This follows a Significant Assessment in 2024 by heritage consultant Dr Roslyn Russell, which found the Local Studies Collection to be of "of historical significance at national, regional and local levels. It contains records relating to individuals and events of national significance and also provides substantial … information about life in one of the oldest settled regions in Australia."
With the newly awarded $6,000 grant, a professional conservator will undertake a preservation assessment of the Local Studies Collection. This work will include a comprehensive evaluation of the physical condition, housing, and storage of collection items. The resulting report will inform future conservation priorities and support further funding applications to ensure the long-term care of these irreplaceable materials.
Notable items included in this assessment include internationally renowned astronomer John Tebbutt's schoolbook, legal documents from solicitor and soldier John Jackson Paine, a 1920 letter addressed to the Hawkesbury community from Edward, Prince of Wales, and many more rare documents.
The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program supports community organisations to care for Australian moveable, cultural heritage collections. Since 1994, this program has provided more than $9.3 million dollars in funding to over 1,700 projects across Australia.
