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Anica Boulanger-Mashberg, BPA, BA (Hons)
Partner institution: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Honours year: 2006
Discipline: English (Creative Writing)
Honours Project: Fact and F(r)iction in Museological Space: Writing Possible Histories
I completed my Honours project in 2006 under the CEH scheme, working at TMAG on a creative writing project which investigated representations of museological space. I researched the history of the Private Secretary’s Residence – a tiny cottage which is one of the oldest surviving residential building in Tasmania. For my thesis, I produced a collection of short fiction about the cottage’s imagined histories, and in my exegesis I discussed various aspects of the interpretation and documentation of museum spaces and objects. For my internship with the museum, I researched and collated information about the archaeological work which has been conducted at the cottage since it has been a part of the museum complex.
During my time at the museum I had the support of several outstanding supervisors who encouraged my project, facilitated access to the cottage, introduced me to visiting conservators, shared knowledge and expertise from a range of different backgrounds, and, at the conclusion of the thesis, helped me network beyond the museum and publish an article about my experience.
At uni, my involvement with CEH and CAIA meant that I was part of a small cohort of students participating in challenging projects linking academic study with more practical work in the partner institutions. This gave me a much broader Honours experience than is normally possible, providing a range of support networks and cross-faculty stimulation which made the year really vibrant. At CAIA functions and at works-in-progress days, the CEH students were welcomed into an exciting interdisciplinary community where we were able to meet both Tasmanian and visiting international researchers. We were exposed to a wide range of influences, and it was fascinating to see the breadth of research and also to identify the intersections between all our various interests.
It was always challenging to be working across disciplines, and to be negotiating dates, commitments, and even writing styles between the uni and the partner institution, but any extra pressure was well outweighed by the privilege of involvement in the scheme. Through the CEH scheme, I made enduring connections with people, both peers and other researchers; felt very valued, not just as a student but as a member of a wider research community; and had an extremely rewarding Honours year. It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to seeing what future CEH students produce.
Eleanor Cave, BA (Hons)
Partner institution: Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority
Honours year: 2007
Discipline: History
Honours Project: Pleasure or Punishment? The Importance of Food Gardens to Secondary Penal Settlements
The title of this project was particularly broad, and had the capacity to shoot off in a myriad of directions – encompassing ornamental, horticultural, agricultural, industrial or medicinal plantings. I could also have examined the relationship between the white settlers and their interaction with the native flora. After overcoming the first obstacle of the focus of my thesis, there was a desire to leap right in and start my research. My enthusiasm was curbed somewhat by a heavy load of coursework and other internal assessment requirements, ensuring sound training in time management, and how to juggle multiple unrelated projects at one time.
Working with PAHSMA involved travelling to and from the site several times, and maintaining contact with relevant staff members. The travel requirement forced me to be very organised, as a trip to Port Arthur could take most of a day. Although PAHSMA was my industry partner, I spent a large amount of time in other state heritage collections, many of which are partners with the CEH project. This included the Archives Office of Tasmania, the State Library of Tasmania and The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Although a CEH project is linked to one partner, it certainly does negate the need to access other collections.
The research project I completed for PAHSMA involved working on their heritage fruit tree collection, collating research focussing upon heritage apple and pear varieties.
The CEH project was a unique opportunity to work on a project that could have some practical outcome – both my thesis and research project are housed in the PAHSMA resource room and will be used in site interpretation. It is gratifying to know that my work will be read and used by the historic site, rather than gathering dust on a library shelf.
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