Collections go digital

Published on 30 May 2016

Mildura Rural City Council’s Library Service has placed two of its most significant archives online, with the Ted Lawton Collection and the Sunbeam Collection both now available through digital archives.

The collections, which include photographs, memorabilia, newspaper articles and other business documents were donated to the Mildura Library about three years ago and the new digital versions will make the information more widely accessible.

Arts and Culture portfolio Councillor Jill Joslyn said the collections are important historical reference points and gave context to many of our current industries.

“The Ted Lawton collection is primarily a photographic archive,” Cr Joslyn explained.  “Mr Lawton was a laboratory assistant at the Merbein Research Station in 1947 and from then became a photographer for the CSIRO.

“Mr Lawton went to North America and studied to become a Biological Photographic Associate before returning to our region.  He was a founding member of the Mildura Historical Society and a life-member of the Field Naturalist Club.”

The Ted Lawton collection includes important photographic documentation of flooding in our region, paddleboats, buildings and other important natural events and landscapes.

The Sunbeam Collection on the other hand, documents the history of some of our most important produce based businesses including the Mildura Fruit Co-operative, Mildura Dried Fruits Association, Sunbeam Foods and other related businesses.

“The Sunbeam Collection is a really interesting look into the history of produce based businesses and includes not only photographs, but memorabilia, newspaper articles and business archives,” Cr Joslyn explained.

The digital collections will be officially launched at 2pm on Monday 30 May at the Mildura Library as part of Mildura Day Celebrations, with the full archive available online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/library

ENDS

Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au