Report of Inmagic Museum users group meeting at RACV Heritage – 20 April 2016

Helen Stitt, Heritage Collection Curator at the RACV Heritage Centre in Noble Park, was a wonderful host to about 20 Inmagic users for the Inmagic Museum Users Group on 20 April.  The RACV has been using DB/TextWorks for many years to record and manage its collection.

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The diversity of the RACV Heritage Collection, incorporating the records of RACV’s business operations and archive relating to the early history of motoring in Victoria, was clearly demonstrated.   The visit commenced with a tour of the heritage vehicle fleet and ‘garagenalia’ collection of the RACV Vehicle Workshop.  The work that Helen has done to increase the visibility and attraction of the collection was evident.  The attendees were treated to a sumptuous afternoon tea including scones with jam and cream before a presentation and display of a selection of items from the archives and photographic collection.

Helen discussed her role which has grown to encompass much more than managing the RACV’s archives.  As well ass being curator for exhibitions and providing talks on the organisation’s history, Helen is regularly called on to support the communications and marketing activities of RACV with contributions to the magazine and social media.   Her knowledge of the collection and RACV’s history informed her talk on the establishment of RACV as a motoring and social club in 1903 and its role in leading the way in social and technical reforms for safer and improved experience for motorists.   As such the collection is organised around themes – touring (RACV clubs and resorts), services, RACV history, motor sports, roadside assistance, community service and publications.  She is currently occupied with digitising the collection of motor magazines.

Many thanks to Helen and the staff at the RACV Heritage Centre for the time and effort to make this an informative and valuable visit for our Inmagic users.

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