Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Maitland is encouraging Maitland Historians and Community members to put forward nominations for Round 2 of the 2022 Blue Plaques Program.

Inspired by a similar scheme in the United Kingdom, the Blue Plaques program is part of a $5 million heritage engagement program, administered by Heritage NSW.

The program aims to recognise key sites and encourage people to explore their local neighbourhood and other parts of NSW, connecting with the amazing people and stories that have shaped those places. Bringing the history and stories of the many people and events who have shaped New South Wales alive.

 “I know there are many significant and interesting stories to tell about the real people that have lived, and events that have occurred here in Maitland, that have had a lasting impact on NSW. I am encouraging as many of these stories as possible to be nominated, to highlight Maitland’s rich history and further encourage tourism and historians to the area”, Ms Aitchison said.

To be eligible for a Blue Plaque, nominations need to:

• have an interesting story to tell about a real person, people or event that has made a lasting impact on NSW
• include a good location for a plaque that is in NSW and that is:
• directly relevant to the story, and
• is visible and accessible to the public
• be appropriate, sensitive, and engaging to a wide public audience
• be about a person or people who died prior to 1 January 2000 OR is about an event that occurred before 1 January 2000
• have written support from the owner of the property where you are nominating the plaque to be installed (if on private or council-owned property)

The plaques are linked to a digital interface, allowing access to the detailed stories behind them and will form part of a Blue Plaque NSW network, supporting tourism and economic activity, particularly in regional NSW.

“Since the launch of the program in 2021, Blue Plaques NSW has grown to 35 plaques state-wide, including one here in Maitland acknowledging Caroline Chisholm, and her advocacy for women and immigrant families” said Ms Aitchison.

Nominations need to be submitted by Wednesday 21 December via the SmartyGrants Portal - Blue Plaques Nomination Round 2 2022 - Heritage NSW (smartygrants.com.au).