Bathurst Historical Society archivist Kim Bagot-Hiller has been named the 2020 Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Project/Scholarship recipient for heading a project to conserve research instrumental to the region's past and present.
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Ms Bagot-Hiller is in the process of retrieving and recording the research and resources of celebrated local historian Theo Barker, who made invaluable contributions to documenting Bathurst's history.
"The Theo Barker project came about when I was doing some work in the archives, and found that his family had given the Historical Society all of his research notes," she said.
"Barker's work is fundamental to the knowledge we have of Bathurst, and every book he has written has been quoted in subsequent historical material."
The award will see Ms Bagot-Hiller receive a $10,000 scholarship [paid in two instalments], to assist her in the process of retrieving Barker's research for the purpose of creating a digital archive.
"This is the first time outside a major institution that the retrieval of this type of information has been attempted," she said.
"There's over 60 digital records to process from both five-and-a-half inch floppy disks and CD's, and the only other institution to successfully achieve such a feat is the University of Melbourne."
"We also have to convert a number of Barker's 2BS interviews to a digital format."
Theo Barker passed away in 2003 at the age of 84.
Ms Bagot-Hiller said archivists play a vital role in ensuring history can be saved and interpreted for future generations.
"When you do any form of research, it's always important to ensure the information is as correct and relevant as possible," she said.
"In Barker's case, he spent over four decades compiling Bathurst's history into books through his association with Charles Sturt University [formerly Mitchell College of Advanced Education], and it's vital we preserve the accuracy of his research."
Ms Bagot-Hiller also plays a major role in promoting the historical legacy of the Chifley family; her grandmother, Mary Burdette 'Burdie' Chifley, was the niece of former prime minister Ben Chifley and his wife, Elizabeth.
Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said the Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Project/Scholarship recognises members of the community who play a vital role in conserving the region's heritage and history.
"Theo Barker is perhaps Bathurst's most celebrated historian and through Kim's dedication to conserving his research, our local heritage will be alive and well for a long time to come," Cr Bourke said.
The project/scholarship was first launched in 2015.
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"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
