Former Tocal principal and noted contributor of the Hunter’s historical community Cameron Archer AM will speak at the Maitland District Historical Society on Tuesday, April 5.
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His lecture will cover the environmental history of the Paterson Valley from it’s utilisation by Aboriginal Australians, European farming, industrial shifts and what fate awaits the region.
“I looked at the way Aboriginal Australians managed the land, how Europeans used the valley, then the national and international factors which drove changes in the industry,” he said.
“The Paterson Valley is a microcosm, a laboratory to study European land-use and economies.
“What’s happened here happens everywhere.”
Dr Archer said the hands of Indigenous and European land-use, the mechanisation of the farm and even climate change could all be witnessed vividly in the Paterson Valley.
“Aboriginal Australians, across thousands of years, were affected by climate change,” he said.
“6000 years ago the Newcastle coast was 20 kilometres further East.
“And when you hear the stories of the Aboriginal dreaming you realise the world was changing around them.”
Dr Archer attained his PhD examining the environmental history of the Valley and has advocated for sustainable land-use.
“The environment is in good hands, there are good ethics amongst the land-holders now,” he said.
“I think it’s more stable and cared for than it has been in all of European history, there’s less exploitation.
“Agriculture is still alive in the Paterson Valley.”
Dr Archer is well known in the community for his role as principal of Tocal Agricultural College from 1987 to 2015.
He is a noted writer and advocate in areas including local history and conservation of heritage.
His talk will take place at the Maitland Historical Society at 3, Cathedral Street Maitland from 5.30pm on Tuesday April 5.
More information is avaliable from maitlandhistorical@gmail.com
