2019 ASHA Conference

The 2019 ASHA conference was held between Sunday 13 October to Wednesday 16th October 2019 in Port Macquarie. Registrations closed 23 September 2019. This page remains up as a record of the event.

Skip down to:
Call for papers
Bursary
Draft Conference schedule
Workshops and Tours
Conference Registration
Conference sponsors

Location

Port Macquarie, NSW Mid North Coast

Venue

The Glasshouse, Cnr Clarence and Hay St, Port Macquarie (paper sessions, 15-16 October)

Dates

Pre-conference tours and workshops: Sunday 13 and Monday 14 October
Welcome reception: Monday evening 14 October
Conference sessions: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 October 2019
ASHA Annual General Meeting: 3:30PM Wednesday 16 October 2019

Conference Theme – Colonial Futures

Historical archaeology in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific is intertwined with the colonial legacies of our countries. From the often coercive and entangled colonialism of the frontier, through to the subtle yet pervasive transfer and transformation of British material culture and technology across society, or the distinctive contribution of non-British migrants – Australasian historical archaeology deals with the physical remains of colonial pasts.

Yet what is the future of these colonial pasts? What new stories can we tell about past lives and places? What new methods can we apply? How do we manage the physical remains of the past for the future? How can the archaeology of the colonial past be interpreted or presented to future audiences? How can we integrate colonial histories with Indigenous histories? What relevance does local archaeology have to our culturally-diverse contemporary societies? How can the archaeology of our colonial past inform broader contemporary debates?

Port Macquarie, on the NSW mid-north coast, provides an ideal venue to discuss these issues – a former convict settlement and place of secondary punishment, it later became an important coastal river port, a family holiday destination, and growing regional centre.

CALL FOR PAPERS

The main call for papers has closed, but you can still submit proposals for short talks and posters.

Call for short talks

The ASHA speed trials are back! Short presentations of three minutes with three slides – you and the countdown clock. This was a great success last year – perfect for work in progress, short reflections, or making colleagues aware of something interesting that you’ve recently found. Submissions due 15 September 2019.

Call for posters

Do you value the visual? Do you want to share something but without the pressure of a spoken presentation? This year posters are making a comeback to the ASHA conference. Submissions due 15 September 2019.

Poster guidelines

Posters: Standard A0-A1 size, any orientation
Please include in your submissions:

• The names of all presenters who are showing the poster.
• An email address and phone number.
• A 100-word abstract detailing the basic content of your poster.

The posters will be displayed in the Mezzanine Foyer where meals will be served. There will also be an option of a running slide show. If you would like your poster on this please bring a power point copy of it on a USB. Best Poster Awards will be presented at the Conference Dinner on Wednesday 16th October.

Submissions:

All submissions (speed trial talks and posters) should include:

• Contact name and affiliation
• Names and affiliations of other authors (if relevant)

Email submissions to [email protected]. Only submit an abstract if you have permission to present from the relevant stakeholders, such as employers, clients, or traditional owners.

2019 ASHA CONFERENCE BURSARY OFFER

ASHA is pleased to offer a small number of bursaries for members wishing to attend the conference. A budget of up to $1000 per applicant is available to assist in travel related expenses. The bursary is provided to encourage attendance from any member who would benefit from financial assistance. Students and interstate participants are particularly encouraged.

If you are Victorian, please also consider CWHC ‘s bursary as an option – email [email protected] for details.

Application Process

Applications close on the 15 September 2019. Your application should be emailed to [email protected].

Please send a short letterform application with the following information:

• Full Name
• Affiliation (university or workplace)
• Contact details including address and email address
• Employment or student status
• A short description of why you would like to attend the conference. Applications with a submission for a poster, 3-minute talk or presentation are preferred.
• A short statement about why the bursary would assist you.
• A budget justification that outlines how the funds will be spent. This should include quotes for any proposed flights and accommodation. The amount of funds allocated to successful applicants will be dependent on the strength of their proposed budget.
• Declaration of any other funding received to attend the conference. Your budget should not include expenses covered by other funding sources.
• Statement agreeing to prepare a post-conference report by the 31st October.

Terms and Conditions

• Must be an ASHA member for the year of application and should factor in attending the ASHA AGM on the final day of the conference.
• The conference committee will assess the applications and their decision on successful applicants will be final.
• The name/s of successful applicant/s will be announced through ASHA networks including the discussion list and social media.
• The amount provided to successful applicants will be up to $1000, depending on the applicant’s proposed budget. The conference committee retains the right to award a bursary for less than the total offered funding.
• Successful applicant/s will be notified by the 23rd of September and will be offered the conference early bird rate.
• In accepting the bursary, the applicant must register for the conference by the 30th September.
• Successful applicants will be required to report back to the committee by the 31st October 2019. The report will be required in two separate parts. The first part should be receipts for expenses claimed. The second will be a short report about your conference experience that can be posted to the ASHA blog.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Sunday and Monday 13-14 October: Optional workshops and tours
Monday 14 October from 17:30: Welcome Reception, Mezzanine Foyer, Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
Tuesday 15 October 9:00-10:30 Keynote address – Richard Shing, Director, Vanuatu Cultural Centre
Tuesday 15 October 11:00-17:00 Conference Sessions
Wednesday 16 October 9:00-15:00 Conference Sessions
Wednesday 16 October 15:30-17:00 ASHA Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 16 October From 19:00 Conference Dinner at Zebu Waterfront Restaurant, Rydges Port Macquarie

The complete final conference program (including abstracts) can be downloaded here.

WORKSHOPS AND TOURS

On Sunday 13 and Monday 14 October, the conference organisers have arraged a number of optional workshops and tours. See further information and booking details below:

• Port Macquarie Archaeology and Heritage Walking Tour – Sunday 13 October, 1:30 to 4:00 pm
• Tour of Lake Innes Ruins – Monday 14 October, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• ASHA Artefact Workshops – Monday 14 October 1:45 to 5:30 pm

PORT MACQUARIE ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE WALKING TOUR

Mitch McKay has kindly agreed to run a special tour for the ASHA Conference, including a visit to Port Macquarie Historic Cemetery.
Date: Sunday 13 October 2019
Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Meet: Glasshouse, Visitor Information Counter
Cost: $25.00 – to be paid in cash on the day
Book: Book directly with Mitch McKay by emailing him at [email protected] or by phoning him on 0447 429 016. Please identify yourself as an ASHA Conference delegate wishing to join the special Sunday tour.

This tour is limited to 20 people and bookings must be made by close of business Friday 11 October 2019.

If you are unable to be in Port Macquarie on the Sunday then you may like to book one of Mitch’s regular tours on Thursday 17 October, the day after the conference. These tour can be booked via the Port Macquarie Heritage website: https://www.pmheritage.com.au/

LAKE INNES RUINS TOUR

The conference organisers have arranged a tour of the ruins of Lake Innes House at the Lake Innes Nature Reserve.
Date: Monday 14 October 2019
Time: 9:00am – 1.00pm
Meet: Glasshouse, Visitor Information Counter
Bring:BYO morning tea, Sunscreen + Hat + Insect Repellent, Long pants, sturdy walking shoes, and weather appropriate apparel.
Cost: $12
Book:Book with your registration. Additional bookings available here.

ASHA ARTEFACT WORKSHOPS

These workshops will be held at the Port Macquarie Museum. These will be run by highly-experienced, Sydney and Armidale-based artefact specialists, with some reference to archaeological material found in Port Macquarie. Similar events have proved popular in the past. Members $80, non-members $120. Lunch not included.
Date: Monday 14 October 2019
Time: 1.45pm – 5.30pm
Meet: Port Macquarie Museum
Cost: $80 ASHA members, $120 non-members
Book:Book with your registration. Additional bookings available here.

Sessions will consist of:

1. Basic Ceramic Artefact Identification – Jeanne Harris Urban Analysts

   This session aims to introduce historical archaeologists to the identification of ceramic material types, wares and decorative techniques. Information on dating specific wares and decorative techniques will be provided, as well as a list of references for further research. Also presented will be how to recognize visual clues that help distinguishing similar wares and decorations. While examples of various wares and decorative techniques will be available for hands on examination, participants are welcome to bring along any ceramic artefact they wish to share with the group.

2. Basic Glass Artefact Identification – Jeanne Harris Urban Analysts

   This session is an introduction to the most commonly recovered glass artefacts from archaeological sites. It focuses on bottle, tableware and window pane manufacturing technologies with suggested references for each category. As bottle use is significant to identification, commonly recovered bottle forms will be discussed. Identification of tableware includes dating stylistic trends based on use popularity date ranges and methods to distinguish quality tableware. Examples of various bottle and tableware types will be available for closer inspection, but participants are welcome to bring in items they wish to share with the group.

3. Miscellaneous or Small Finds – Robyn Stocks, Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd

   This session aims to introduce historical archaeologists to the identification of miscellaneous or small finds. The discussion will concentrate on artefacts commonly found on historic sites, including those in Port Macquarie. Updated information will be given about where many objects were manufactured, their date, and references for further research. Recognising the functions of different categories of miscellaneous artefacts and who may have used them can be an invaluable on-site tool and crucial for the analysis, reporting and presentation of the site to the client and the public. Some strategies on how to tackle difficult identifications will be given and participants are encouraged to bring an artefact that is challenging so all can learn.

4. Port Macquarie Early Building Materials – Robyn Stocks, Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd

   This session will discuss the main types of building materials found on early to mid-19th century sites in Port Macquarie. These will be compared to better-known examples from contemporary sites in Sydney and Parramatta. Methods of manufacture are also described using objects found at the site of Port Macquarie’s Government House. How the bricks, tiles, mortars and plaster differ from those of later periods will be described so that similar examples can be identified by other archaeologists. Examining these artefacts in detail will show the process of recognising meaningful attributes and how to create a type series that can be a useful aid in the field and during post excavation analysis. It is hoped that the participants will have found similar early building materials during their work and can share their insights with the group.

5. Locally-Made Pottery from the Brickfields – Mary Casey, Casey & Lowe Pty Ltd

   Brief overview of locally made pottery, with a focus on Thomas Ball and some discussion of Jonathan Leak pottery from his manufacturing site on modern Wentworth Avenue. Leak pottery has been found at Port Macquarie Government House, a large pan. This workshop aims to make archaeologists familiar both Ball and Leak pottery so they can identify it in the field, understand vessel forms and the characteristics of the fabric, glazes and decoration. Samples of both types of pottery will be present for examination and discussion.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Conference registration is now open! The fees are listed below. Please check the website for details as they become available. Register here. Additional registrations for tours and the conference dinner are available here. Early bird registration is open until August 31. All registrations close on 23 September.

Registration includes:

• Pre-conference opening reception on the evening of Monday 14th October at the Glasshouse.
• Conference papers on current research and initiatives in historical archaeology and associated fields on 15th and 16th October.
• Catering: morning tea, light lunch, afternoon tea.
• Conference pack: name tag, a programme overview, give-aways and local information. The conference dinner is on the evening of the 16th October at the Zebu Waterfront Restaurant, Rydges Port Macquarie and is $93 per person.
• Single day registration includes the conference papers and catering for the day selected, but does not include the welcome event.

Registrations close 23 September 2019.

Book here. Additional registrations for the conference dinner and tours are available here

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Port Macquarie has a wide range of accommodation options available. Since the conference dinner is being held at Zebu Waterfront Restaurant, Rydges Port Macquarie, you may wish to consider accommodation at this venue. The following special rates are available at The Rydges for ASHA Conference delegates – Standard – $189, Waterview – $219, Waterview with balcony – $249. ASHA Conference bookings should be made with Jackie Lawlor, Conferencing Co-ordinator, via email: [email protected]

A wide range of other accommodation options are available in Port Macquarie – see https://portmacquarieinfo.com.au/stay. Most of the conference activity will be centred on The Glasshouse, 30-42 Clarence Street Port Macquarie.

SPONSORS

This conference is supported by the following sponsors:

PLATINUM

SILVER

 

BRONZE