Rare Pieces of History Head to Yass

From the telescope of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt to the diary of an 1840s first-class passenger, students will see history come alive when the State Library of NSW brings historical artefacts to Yass, on the 1st and 2nd November 2022.

According to State Librarian John Vallance, “This will be the first time these rare pieces of Australian history will be shown in the Yass region, as part of the State Library’s FAR Out! Treasures to the Bush initiative, which is now in its 10th year.”

“The last few years have been unusual, to put it mildly. But we are delighted to see the return of the FAR Out! program in 2022, thanks to the support of the State Library Foundation,” said Dr Vallance.

“More than 400 students and their teachers from four primary schools in Yass will benefit from the program.”

Members of the Learning Services team will immerse students in hands on activities and stories of early migration to Australia organised around a selection of the Library’s treasures including:

• Convict Mary Reibey’s land grant, 1812
• First-class ship passenger Arthur Wilcox Manning’s journal, 1839-1840
• Explorer Ludwig Leichhardt’s telescope, marked 1847
• Gold prospector George Charles Johnson’s personal papers, 1872.

“The State Library of NSW brings Australia’s history to life,” said Pauline Fitzgerald, Manager, Learning Services. “Students will have the unique opportunity to get ‘up close’ to original material and hear the fascinating stories behind these iconic items,” she said.

School Schedule
Tuesday 1 November
9.30am–11.00am, Yass Public School
1.30pm–3pm, Holy Family Primary School

Wednesday 2 November
9.20am–10.50am, Mt Carmel Primary School
1.30pm–3pm, Berinba Public School

• Topics:

• History
• Education / Training