RWA’s North Eveleigh Site Heritage Interpretation Strategy

1.0 Introduction

Heritage interpretation is a means of sharing Australian culture and
history within communities and with other communities, new citizens, visitors,
and people overseas. It is also a means of passing on the knowledge and
appreciation of Australian culture to new generations.

Interpretation is an integral part of the experience of significant
heritage places.(1)

The Interpretation Strategy will
recognise three main strands of history and significance on the site. It will
tie in with existing interpretive work for the Carriageworks and the proposed
bridge between ATP and North Eveleigh forming the
Heritage Walk.

The three strands of history and
significance are:

  • Aboriginal
    history – from earliest times through to today’s community.

Research has found two early colonial images looking from Newtown to the heads of Botany Bay.
These images form the basis of an understanding of the landscape prior to the
arrival of European settlement. Interpretation of the history and culture of
Aboriginal people in the Redfern area and their role in the workshop complex would
be done in full consultation with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land
Council.

  • Worker’s
    history – the stories of the workers; their varied backgrounds and skills,
    on the North Eveleigh site.

There are a number of published and unpublished sources
that will be used to supply photographs and text for interpretive panels throughout
the site.

  • Railway
    history – the story of the development of the NSW Railways and railway
    technology on the site.

As above, using published and unpublished sources and
artifacts at present held by Railcorp.

2.0 Proposed Works

The proposed works outlined
below take into consideration the Heritage Office Ingredients for best practice in Heritage interpretation.(2)

2.1 Carriages

As a former Carriageworks,
passenger carriages will be used as the primary physical means of interpreting
the site. Unfortunately, it is impossible to use carriages that were
constructed in the workshops as these carriages, of timber external
construction, are not suitable for long-term outdoor display. Obtaining such carriages
is also problematic as only a limited number survive and these are vested in
other preservation projects. It is proposed to use carriages that meet the requirement
for durability and that have an association with the site through repair or
maintenance.

Three carriages are proposed:

  • A passenger carriage located on the fan of tracks
    in the square in front of the Paint Shop.
    On the side towards the Paint Shop
    the carriage form static display, illustrating the position of a carriage
    on the fan of tracks. On the other side the carriage there will be a deck and
    ramps to reach carriage height, facilitating its use as a kiosk or coffee
    shop.
  • A stainless steel baggage carriage will be located
    on the rail corridor end of the traverser between the Paint Shop and Carriage Works. This would assist with
    an understanding of the role of the traverser and would contain displays
    interpreting the stories of the workers at Eveleigh and of railway
    history. The baggage carriage has few windows, making it suitable for internal
    displays as well as being secure.
  • A third carriage will be located adjacent to the
    parkland to the south of the site. This carriage will be used for
    interpretation of the history and culture of Aboriginal people in the
    Redfern area and their role in the workshop complex.

2.2 Interpretation Through a Worker’s Wall

Provision for interpretive
plaques set on the brick wall of the Blacksmith’s Shop,
to form a Worker’s Wall in the manner of the Welcome Wall at the national Maritime Museum
in Sydney. The
names of those who worked at Eveleigh would be set into the wall in combination
with an online database to record and store the stories of workers.

2.2 (sic) Interpretation in Commercial Buildings

Machinery or apparatus
pertaining to industrial processes carried out in the workshops will be located
in foyers of new building as at ATP.

2.3 Interpretation of The Fan of Tracks

In addition to the location of a
passenger carriage on the fan of tracks, interpretation will take place in the
open part of the foyers of the commercial buildings located on the fan of
tracks. In addition, the fan of tracks will be interpreted as part of the
landscaping of the extensive open space in front to the Paint Shop.

2.4 Interpretation as Part of the Heritage Walk

Use of the Heritage
Walk Bridge,
the Baggage Carriage and Coffee shop as part of an organised Heritage Walk
through the North Eveleigh and ATP sites. This
will use audio discs available for hire as well as tours organized by volunteer
guides.

(1) Heritage Interpretation
Policy, Heritage Office, Department of Planning 2005.

(2) Ibid.

Source: Redfern-Waterloo
Authority North Eveleigh Concept Plan Preferred
Project Report Appendix
5 – Interpretation Strategy