Cowra Voices Audio Archive Project has been successful in receiving funding of $4,670 through the NSW Government’s 2022 Royal Australian Historical Society Cultural Grants Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that the funding for Cowra Shire Council’s project will ensure an important part of the local history is remembered.
“We are delighted that the NSW Government is investing in the preservation of our region’s story by supporting this unique project,” Ms Cooke said.
Mr Bill West Mayor of Cowra Shire Council said they were pleased to have received funding to continue work on the Cowra Voices Project.
“This grant will enable the Cowra Voices team to properly archive and permanently preserve the interviews with 19 local residents that together make up the bulk of the information available on the Cowra Voices storytelling app,” Mr West said.
“It will also allow five audio stories about Japanese citizens who found their final resting place at the Japanese War Cemetery to be translated into Japanese, making them more available for people living in Japan and opening the possibility to incorporate them in a future, revised edition of the award-winning Cowra Voices app.”
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the funding will support greater access to and engagement of history projects across NSW, creating new opportunities for professionals in the field.
“The NSW Government is proud to invest in the State’s rich cultural history. By supporting our local history and heritage experts to undertake research, conservation and publication of their skilled work, we continue to safeguard NSW’s incredible past and share our unique stories for generations to come,” Mr Franklin said. Currently in its sixth year, the fund offers a total of almost $60,000 through grants of up to $5,000 per project to assist local historical societies and similar bodies to undertake historical research and create new publications.
