Pardey Photographic Collection Number 2
What is it?
Consisting of some 30,000 images, the range is of both social and political interest locally, nationally and internationally. The collection is in itself historic, and is also an invaluable historic record of the Cowra (and district) community during the 1900s.
Images of 4000+ soldiers (mostly identified) who trained at Cowra Military Camp prior to embarking for overseas during World War 2 are, arguably, among the larger collections of military individuals in Australia.
Migrants and their families who were sent to the Cowra Migrant Camp (formerly the Cowra Military Camp) (1948-1955) after being displaced in Europe are well represented in the collection.
Images of Cowra POW Camp and Breakout are representative of:
a. Site of the only land battle on Australian soil during World War 2
b. Site of the largest escape of POWs in modern military history
c. Site where thousands of POWs were held during World War 2
and have, over time, proven to be of both national and international interest.
Portraits of babies, children, adults and family groups, mostly identified, form the bulk of the collection. They are presented as both formal studies and across a range of social occasions, such as weddings, debutantes, balls etc.
Local historical events are recorded, including: sporting activities: street parades and processions: agricultural events: official openings of facilities vital to the area, such as Wyangala Dam, Cowra District Hospital, Cowra Civic Centre, St John's Anglican Church; the new Cowra Bridge; functions and activities in the outlying villages of Woodstock, Greenethorpe, Billimari etc.
Some images of Cowra in its pioneer days from the late 1880s have survived and are believed to not to be held by any other institution or organization.
A search of Cowra Family History Group's database can be made and copies of images ordered by either:
(a) calling personally to the family history library during opening hours; or
(b) making an appointment to inspect the collection out of opening hours
Further details available by emailing or writing to the Cowra Family History Group Inc.
Download this order form by right-clicking and selecting "save link as" or "save target as", depending on your browser.
History of Pardey Collection No. 2
From the 1880s the Pardey Photographic Studio retained most of the negatives of photographs taken in their Cowra studio.
During his association with the business, George Pardey had maintained a register of the negatives. They were identified by number, date, and to either the person who had ordered the photographs or to whom they were sent.
The records consisted of a series of hard covered books, laboriously handwritten in pen and ink. (The biro pen was not available at that time.) The registers in themselves are of historic value.
At some point a (large) number of negatives were discarded on the local tip. Fortunately George realised the historic value of the negatives and instead attempted to save the remaining negatives for future generations.
When George Pardey eventually sold the business to Don Collins of Fletcher's Fotographics the negative collection was included in the sale.
During the mid 1990s those negatives were made available to Cowra Family History Group to develop. With the aid of a three-year grant between 20,000 and 30,000 images were developed, mostly covering the period 1940 to 1971.
As they were developed, all photographs were identified back to the registers, an enormous undertaking by group members. Members then methodically endeavoured to identify subjects. Although very time-consuming, this task was possibly not as difficult as one would believe. One of the advantages of members and photograph subjects living their lives at the same time in the same small country town!
The group is midway through placing all photographs into archival sleeves for optimum preservation. This has been made possible by a generous grant from the Royal Australian Historical Society and a donation from the Cowra RSL Sub-branch.
Members also made a number of handwritten copies of the registers. For some time this was the only index by which a search of the collection could be made.
However a searchable database is currently being modified to assist researchers locate items of interest. It is hoped that at some time in the near future this will also be available on this website.
Why a Pardey Collection No 1 and No 2?
George Pardey presented a series of negatives to Cowra Shire Council in perpetuity for the people of Cowra.
They consist mainly of streetscapes and reflect Cowra and its peoples in the mid 1900s. Many of these images are displayed throughout Cowra identifying places and buildings of historic interest. Many businesses also have copies in foyers and offices and waiting rooms for the enjoyment of the public.
When Cowra Family History Group commenced developing negatives some confusion existed as to which organization (Council or the Group) held which photographs.
Subsequently the collection presented to Cowra Shire Council became Pardey Photographic Collection No 1 and the images developed by Cowra Family History Group became Pardey Collection No 2.
Miscellaneous Collection
As residents of Cowra gradually realise the historic value of their individual family photographs, many from previous generations, the question arises as to the best way to preserve them for posterity.
Cowra Family History Group is gradually acquiring small collections that will one day grow into a wonderful record of families from this region.
When properly archived these images will also become available for the enjoyment and information of future generations.
Although in its fledgling stage, enquiries of these small collections may be made by email or by writing to Cowra Family History Group Inc.
Likewise, email or write to the group if you have photographs you would like to be included in this new collection.
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