The New South Wales government has been accused of politicising history after announcing the first 17 successful public applications for the state’s new blue plaque scheme.
The $5m program – announced last June – has been modelled on a similar scheme in use across the UK for more than a century to remember notable people and places.
It will see circular blue plaques placed on buildings where historical figures lived or worked, or where major events occurred, with the first ones expected to be erected around July.
Sydney artist Brett Whiteley and Indigenous activist Charles Perkins were among the initial figures to be recognised from more than 700 nominations by members of the public across NSW.
None of the 17 plaque locations, revealed on Monday by the NSW heritage minister, James Griffin, were in Labor-held electorates.
“This initiative is all about recognising the eclectic characters, personalities and important public figures that have made or become part of the history and fabric of our state,” Griffin said.
But the opposition’s heritage spokesperson, Walt Secord, accused the government of “clear partisanship” and called on the minister to explain why no sites were selected in Labor-held seats.
“You would expect that historic sites across the state are spread out evenly and they don’t just occur in Coalition or independent electorates,” he said.
“I would like to see a fairer distribution in the next round.
“This takes petty partisanship to a new level, and disrespects those in the community who spent hours preparing their nominations.”
Applications from the public were submitted to Heritage NSW by local MPs, before being verified by historians and compiled into a list by the agency that went to the minister for final signoff.
Successful applications were made across varying fields, including Nancy Bird Walton who founded the Australian Women Pilots’ Association and Broken Hill-born performer June Bronhill.
Secord did not object to any of the chosen people or sites “but I wish that the Perrottet government had included a wider section of the community”.
Among the proposals backed by Labor members were the Queen Street precinct in Campbelltown, the Country Women’s Association in Maitland and the Wollongong post office.
When the scheme was announced last year, an initial four recipients were selected by the government, including Snugglepot and Cuddlepie author and illustrator May Gibbs and Taronga Zoo benefactor Sir Edward Hallstrom.
One of the government picks – a hostel for homeless migrants run by campaigner and advocate Caroline Chisholm – was in a Labor-held seat of Maitland.
In an answer to questions taken on notice during budget estimates earlier this year, Griffin explained he was in charge of rubber-stamping the plaques after they had been vetted.
“Heritage NSW engaged independent professional historians to factcheck the eligible nominations,” he said.
“Heritage NSW staff put forward a list of suitable nominations to me, recommending them for approval.”
When questioned on the selection process in March, Heritage NSW executive director, Sam Kidman, said it was “not a political decision”.
“It is based on the nominations meeting the eligibility criteria,” he said.
The public will be asked to nominate more noteworthy people, stories and events later this year when more sites are added to the list.
The remit for the scheme was broad and MPs were encouraged to find “interesting, quirky, and fun” nominations from constituents to go alongside the “more sombre stories that should be not be forgotten as part of our history”.
The government has been contacted for comment.
Plaques announced on Monday:
Arthur Bryant Triggs – Yass Valley
Camden Red Cross – Camden
Elizabeth Jane (Bessie) Robinson – Cabonne
Duke Kahanamoku – Northern Beaches
Joseph Laurie – Port Macquarie Hastings
Ethel Turner – Ku-ring-gai
Professor Leech – Snowy Monaro
June Bronhill (June Mary Gough) – Broken Hill
Betro Abicare – Albury
The Bishop and the Architect. Bishop’s Lodge – Hay
Nancy Bird Walton – Port Macquarie Hastings
Charles Perkins – City of Sydney
David Lennox – Parramatta
Fr Thomas Vincent Dunlea – Sutherland
Brett Whiteley – North Sydney
The Sisters of the Little Company – Wagga Wagga
Mark Cowley Lidwill – Hornsby
What notable NSW locations do you believe warrant a blue plaque? Tell us in the comments below.
