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UNE Researcher Honoured with OAM

June 13, 2006

Janice Wilton OAMUNE Researcher Honoured with OAM

A celebrated historian at The University of New England was humbled to be the only Armidale recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Associate Professor Janis Wilton was recognised ‘for service to the community as an historian, researcher and author, to history organisations, and through the preservation of Chinese heritage in NSW.’

The colourful Armidale identity has been a Lecturer of History at the Armidale College of Advanced Education (CAE) and then at the University of New England since 1985 and is now an Associate Professor in the School of Classics, History and Religion.

“I guess this award recognises all the work I have done over the years, above and beyond the call of duty, in the name of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of regional NSW, particularly the role of the contribution of Chinese,” said Dr. Wilton.

“I certainly haven’t gone it alone. I’ve enjoyed the support of my family, particularly my husband Joe, and the diverse range of people I have worked with,” she said.

Locally, nationally and internationally, Dr. Wilton is highly regarded by her peers and is a leading force in her academic fields of expertise. She was the President of the International Oral History Association 2002 – 2004 and Vice-President 2000 – 2002. She is the co-organiser of the 14th International Oral History Conference to be held in Sydney, this year.

Dr. Wilton is also a National Committee Member of the Oral History Association of Australia and was a Foundation Member in 1978.

The impact of the UNE historian’s work has been evident through the establishment of the Wing Hing Long Museum in Tingha in 1998. Dr. Wilton was instrumental in this museum of considerable cultural significance to the New England Northwest region and regional NSW, generally.

A Trustee with the Historic Houses Trust of NSW since 1999, Dr. Wilton has demonstrated a contagious passion for the heritage of regional NSW.

Dr. Wilton was the author of the book “Golden Threads: the Chinese in Regional New South Wales”. She was also the Project Leader for the Golden Threads Project, a NSW Ministry for the Arts initiative responsible for the identification and display of objects held in regional museums, relating to the Chinese contribution to their localities and regions (1997-2005). The project also resulted in a travelling exhibition, which was on the road for four years, and a website (http://amol.org.au/goldenthreads).

The research, work and recognition of Dr. Janis Wilton further demonstrates the vital academic resource The University of New England is to Australia, particularly to regional areas.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Janis Wilton: (02) 6773 2107.

Posted by Gary Fry at June 13, 2006 03:03 PM