Please join us for the Digitisation Centre of Western Australia Inaugural Symposium on 4 December 2024, 10.30am-3.15pm, in the State Library Theatre at the State Library of Western Australia. The Theatre is located on the Ground Floor.

The Digitisation Centre of Western Australia (DCWA) was set up with the goal of digitising collections of national and international significance around the state. The Symposium aims to develop and enhance research synergies and opportunities in relation to the important cultural materials that have been digitised to date. We are excited to offer a range of presentations by scholars and experts in the field of digitisation in WA with discussions on the development of the DCWA, the preservation of historical collections, questions of ethics and digitisation, and more. For a detailed look at the day, please follow this link for the Symposium Program
(subject to change on the day): https://drive.google.com/file/...

We warmly welcome interested researchers from across WA to participate in this important dialogue and look forward to a day of discussion and collegiality. Please register your attendance by selecting a free ticket through the Humanitix event page.

Symposium schedule

10.30am - 10.45am

Acknowledgment of Country and Introduction

Helena Grehan (WAAPA, ECU) and Benjamin Smith (UWA)

10.45am - 11am

Establishment and Impact of DCWA

Janet Luk (DCWA)

11am - 11.15am

The State Library’s Digitisation Decade: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Catherine Belcher (SLWA) and Sophie Farrar (SLWA)

11.15am - 11.30am

Rediscovering Western Australian Theatre Design History

Samuel Farr (WAAPA, ECU)

11.30am - 11.45am

Digitisation at the Berndt Museum

Annie Cameron (UWA)

11.45am - 12pm

Unlocking the Archive: Cultural and ethical considerations surrounding the future of the Melanesian Film Archive

Helena Grehan (WAAPA, ECU) and Elizabeth McKenzie (Curtin)

Lunch

1.30pm - 1.45pm

The Peter Genge Collection

Benjamin Smith (UWA)

1.45pm - 2pm

The Historical Panoramas Project

Andrew Woods (Curtin)

2pm - 2.15pm

“Two Centuries of Chinese Heritage in Western Australia” Collection

Yu Tao (UWA)*

* Please note the recently added bio for Yu: Dr Yu Tao is an Associate Professor in Chinese Studies at the University of Western Australia (UWA), where he teaches contemporary Chinese society and language and coordinates the Chinese Studies course. His current research, centred on Global China, aims to provide theoretical insights and empirical evidence to address two interconnected questions. First, how are China’s government and governance systems adapting to and reacting within an increasingly globalised world? Second, what are the manifestations, key drivers, and perceptions of globalised Chineseness across diverse fields such as religion, education, migration, and heritage? Dr Tao's research pays particular attention to the interaction between religious groups, civic organisations and local state agencies. He also conducts research into evidence-based pedagogical innovations and broader teaching and learning matters.

2.15pm - 2.30pm

WA Aboriginal Language Centre Archives and Post-Digitisation Futures

Alex Stephenson (UWA)

Annelise Jansen (Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre)

Knut Olawsky (Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Cultural Centre)

Rhys Collard (Kimberley Language Resource Centre)*

* Please note the recently added bio for Rhys: Rhys Collard is a proud Aboriginal Noongar man from Balardong Country in the Southwest of Western Australia. He strives to be at the forefront of policy and reform to assist with implementing change to better support Aboriginal people. Rhys is the Project Manager and current Acting Manager of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre (KLRC), the peak representative body for Aboriginal languages in the Kimberley. As Project Manager, Rhys works closely with community to deliver language projects throughout the Kimberley, while upskilling and facilitating professional growth for staff employed as part of these projects. As Acting Manager, Rhys manages the KLRC's day-to-day operations, governance, and administration. Rhys has experience working within Aboriginal Affairs in various State Governments and holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Curtin University.

2.30pm - 2.45pm

AI-powered Handwriting Recognition

Arooba Maqsood (ECU/UWA)

2.45pm - 3pm

Digitisation, the idea of Illustrated Literature and Strelley School

Darren Jorgensen (UWA)

3pm - 3.15pm

Closing discussion and reflections

*The DCWA emerges from an innovative collaboration between the Western Australian universities, the State Library of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum. For more information, please visit https://www.uwa.edu.au/digitis...