Introduction

The start of a new academic journal is always an exciting initiative for all involved and it is with great pleasure I am able to introduce Before/Now. In doing so it is important or me to formally acknowledge the tireless work of the founding editorial collective who have been working on this new scholarly publication for almost two years at Federation University Australia. Can I also acknowledge the support of the School of Arts in en­abling this initiative. Before/Now is a welcome addition to the postgraduate journal landscape in Australia where postgraduate history journals have enjoyed something of a recent revival against broader trends in publishin

Introduction : remembering places of pain and shame

Most societies have their scars of history resulting from involvement in war and civil unrest or adherence to belief systems based on intolerance, racial discrimination or ethnic hostilities. A range of places, sites and institutions represent the legacy of these painful periods: massacre and genocide sites, places related to prisoners of war, civil and political prisons, and places of 'benevolent' internment such as leper colonies and lunatic asylums. These sites bring shame upon us now for the cruelty and ultimate futility of the events that occurred within them and the ideologies they represented. Increasingly, however, they are now being regarded as 'heritage sites', a far cry from the view of heritage that prevailed a generation ago when we were almost entirely concerned with protecting the great and beautiful creations of the past: reflections of the creative genius of humanitiy rather than the reverse - the destructive and cruel side of history. Why has this shift occurred, and what implications does it have for professionals practising in the heritage field? In what ways is this a 'difficult' heritage to deal with

Reworking the tailings: new gold histories and the cultural landscape

In addition to the superficial visual similarities between the architectural theories of the Silesian-born, seventeenth-century Dutch mathematician Nicolaus Goldmann and the early nineteenth-century French architect Jean-Nicolas-Louis Durand, there is a more profound interconnection: their use of the grid. This article evaluates the relation between the two theories and argues how Durand could have been influenced by Goldmann’s writings. It turns out to be more than likely that the two were linked by Durand´s German pupils who brought the tradition of German eighteenth-century architectural theory with them. This corpus was nourished by Leonhard Christoph Sturm´s ‘Goldmannic’ architecture

Unlocking aspiration, outcomes and equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee

The Unlocking Aspiration, Outcomes and Equity by unpacking childcare issues in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored issues in childcare provision and access across four rural local government areas (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and Northern Grampians) within the Wimmera Southern Mallee. The intent of this work was to inform the ByFive Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) Early Years initiative (ByFive), a place-based community collaboration. ByFive was initiated by the WSM regional partnership in 2018, after the community nominated early childhood as their highest priority. The Victorian Government provides funding to ByFive to work together to redesign and improve early years’ service delivery within the WSM. Through this work the ByFive collaboration seeks to overcome disadvantage and inform whole of government system change to address a range of issues impacting the social, health and developmental outcomes of children by the age of five in the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region

Towards an inclusive curation of WWI heritage: integrating historical aerial photographs, digital museum applications and landscape markers in “Flanders Fields” (Belgium)

Purpose: Over a century of state-sponsored construction of monuments, historic mythmaking and nationalist framings of WWI has ensured that it has become notoriously difficult to present the heritage of the Great War in an inclusive and non-selective way. In this paper the authors present a strategy and technology-driven solutions to overcome the selective heritage curation of modern conflict. Design/methodology/approach: Building on a suite of tools, applications and cultural heritage management plans developed by the In Flanders Fields Museum (IFFM), this paper explores the challenges of preserving and curating conflict heritage. The authors investigate the philosophy, cultural heritage management strategies and exhibitions used to curate the heritage of the Ypres Salient (Belgium). Findings: The paper argues that historical aerial photographs integrated in multimedia exhibits present themselves as a fascinating source bringing the landscape within the walls of the museum. Mobile augmented reality (AR) applications developed by the museum go one step beyond and bring museum techniques to the landscape. Research limitations/implications: This paper presents a strategy to present, manage and curate the entirety of conflict heritage from the modern period. Faced with growing politicisation and memorialisation of modern conflict, it is extremely important that inclusive heritage management and curation is insured. The reflections on different curatorial techniques used by the IFFM can contribute globally towards a better heritage engagement. Practical implications: An innovative and meaningful framework enables a more historically nuanced visitor experience to key heritage sites throughout the Ypres Salient. Social implications: Ensuring a non-selective heritage experience is especially pressing today. Over the past century canonised and national narratives have prescribed our understanding of the First World War across Europe and beyond. Originality/value: Adopting a critical stance towards the proliferation in AR apps and applying theories from anthropology and phenomenology has been developed combining AR with arboreal landscape relics. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee :Research report

The Understanding and addressing digital disadvantage in Wimmera Southern Mallee Project (the project) explored the challenges Wimmera Southern Mallee residents, focusing on low-income individuals and families, small/micro businesses and migrant groups have in accessing and effectively engaging with digital technology to help guide future regional actions. The project team interviewed 31 people from across five Local Government areas in the Wimmera Southern Mallee (Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Northern Grampians, Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack) who have low engagement with digital technology and/or limited internet access, as well as a representative sample of those who work to support those with low digital literacy. Ethnographic research was undertaken to understand the factors that impact on digital engagement and accessibility across the three key demographic groups in the study area. The research investigated people’s access to hardware (e.g. computers, phones and tablets) as well as networks (internet plans and connections – broadband, satellite, mobile etc.). Understanding the challenges in engaging with and interpreting digital technology will help inform future advocacy and policy responses for this region. The research will also facilitate better targeting of information and support to Wimmera Mallee residents to actively improve uptake, access, and engagement. This is important, as the region has been identified as having the lowest digital literacy of any area in Victoria (Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2020)

Oral Histories of a Layered Landscape: The Rushworth Oral History Project

This article reflects the authors’ experience of undertaking an oral history project in the regional Victorian town of Rushworth. The authors of the article contend that to conduct an investigation of the natural and cultural heritage of the town and surrounding forests is also to engage in an archaeology of historical landscapes. The authors, after articulating the theoretical and methodological issues of oral history, name and trace the various historical layers of the landscape of Rushworth and the forest that surrounds the town. They argue that the use of oral history in conjunction with cultural landscape analysis enables a deeper understanding of the cultural complexity of the history of Rushworth and the surrounding region. Broader issues concerning regional identity and the role of historians in providing a greater understanding of the community in the present day are also evaluated