The Archives of Barker College
At the end of the day if it's worth keeping, it's in the Archives
Archives Mission
The Archives of Barker College endeavours to provide a place of perpetuity for the records and memorabilia of the school’s history to be kept in continuity. The Archive functions as the memory vault for the school’s staff, students, families, friends and associates, past and present.
The Archivist of Barker College is the person primarily responsible for the appraisal, selection and preservation of the school’s official records, photographs and museum (memorabilia) collection, and for the arrangement, description, care and custody of these records according to current accepted standards of archival practice and administration. The services and resources provided by the Archivist are used to benefit the whole school and its community.
History
Barker has been proud to have a school archives for more than forty years. It was established in the 1960’s by the Master in Charge of History, Mr Stuart Braga, as a result of his research for “A Brief History of the School” written for the occasion of the seventy fifth anniversary of the foundation of the school in 1965, and then later his official history of the school “Barker College – A History” (published in 1978). Stuart Braga’s efforts to actively seek, collect and preserve the records of the school’s early history have resulted in a unique and wonderful collection of records and memorabilia.
The Collection
The Archives of Barker College contain the official records and memorabilia of the school, its associations (eg. the OBA, BCMA, Foundation) and of individuals which have been selected by the School Archivist for preservation because of their inherent administrative and historical significance.
Thanks to the donations made by ex-students, members of staff and the wider Barker community, the Archives is fortunate to have a rich and diverse collection of material which comprehensively documents the history of the school and which also predates its foundation.
Examples of records and museum items held in the collection include: trophies, blazers, boaters, war medals, minute books, official correspondence, drama programs, school photos, architectural plans, oral histories, prize books, master plans, school magazines and publications, student enrolment registers and prize lists.
Contact
The Archives is located on Level 1 of the Barker College Library and is operated by the School Archivist, Sarah O’Neill on a full time basis (including school holidays). Visitors intending to use the Archives are required to make an appointment. Please send all reference enquires to:
Sarah O'Neill
School Archivist
Barker College
91 Pacific Highway
Hornsby NSW 2077
Ph: 02-98478290
e: soneill@barker.nsw.edu.au