Bouddi history on CD

More than 100 community members attended the launch of the Bouddi Society's history project CD-ROM at Wagstaffe Hall on December 6.

The CD-ROM entitled Bouddi Stories: Bouddi Bios - A Work in Progress contains more than 1000 pages of stories of life on the Bouddi Peninsula and more than 2000 photographs.

Former Gosford Mayor and local resident Cr Jim Macfadyen officially launched the first stage of the Bouddi Society's history project.

Cr Macfadyen said the project represented a major contribution to the community which included the biographies of more than 60 local residents who had contributed to the history of the area.

Chairman of the history project committee Mr David Dufty said the CD-ROM was a prime example of community cooperation with more than 40 contributors working on the project. He said an advance copy was made available to the Gosford Library.

Gosford Library's local studies librarian Mr Geoff Potter assisted the Bouddi Society with the project.

"The Society, once again, is to be congratulated on this wonderful community history project," Mr Potter said.

"Not only does a vibrant and colourful local history shine through, but also the personalities of those interviewed and the individual authors who researched and wrote chapters.

"Your project will ensure that memories stay alive, and that the cultural life of the community, through its artists, writers and gatekeepers, will be recorded as a snapshot of your community in 2008.

"You are leaving quite a legacy for others to enjoy."

Mr Dufty said the CD-ROM was still a work in progress and contained errors, omissions and unfinished work.

"We were under pressure to meet a deadline, which some couldn't reach, in order to get you the major results of our basic research and writing by the end of 2008.

"We have had many emails and spoken comments of appreciation of our work to date.

"We have also welcomed some corrections and suggestions for additions and improvements for our next edition.

"Please keep these suggestions, comments and offering of new work coming as there is still room in a 700 Megabyte CD-ROM for more chapters and extensions to the present articles.

"We welcome your participation in this unique-community, written and produced product with its wonderful sets of photos.

"Additional photos are also welcome and all our photos will be passed on to the Gosford City Library to the benefit of future generations.

"We continue to search for an experienced writer with skills in handling photographic images and layout who would be willing to devote considerable amount of time this year to the conceptualisation and writing of an integrated book, which would draw on the best of our current resources but fit them into a graphic account of time and place in our rich and diverse local area.

"We would hope to provide some remuneration for such a task."

Copies of the CD-ROM will be available for community members at the Australia Day celebrations at Wagstaffe Hall on January 26, by donation of $10 per CD-ROM.

The history project will also be available at the Maitland Bay Information Centre.

Newsletter, 14 Jan 2009 Bouddi News, The Bouddi Society