Christine Adams has been recognised for her contributions to preserving Broken Hill’s culture and heritage by the New South Wales government. This past Saturday, she was named the winner of the Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award at the 2023 NSW & ACT Community Achievement Awards for her work at the Sulphide Street Station Railway & Historical Museum.
“It was a big surprise. I knew I was a finalist, but I really thought it would go to someone on the east coast, where it has before,” Ms Adams told the Barrier Truth.
While the award was presented to Ms Adams individually, she emphasized its broader significance for Broken Hill. “It is really significant and important that such a prestigious award has come to Western New South Wales, and particularly Broken Hill,” she said.
Ms Adams was quick to acknowledge the volunteers at the museum, especially Ron Carter, who has been involved with the Railway Museum since its inception in 1975. “Ron has been there since day dot. He and his wife, June, did a huge amount of fundraising, along with many others, and that is really what got the museum going. He likes to say I collected all the stuff and handed it over to Christine to sort,” Ms Adams laughed.
Ms Adams’s affiliation with the museum began around 15 years ago after she was offered space in the facility for the Migrant Museum, following the publication of her book, Sharing the Lode: The Broken Hill Migrant Story.
Her latest accolade tops what has been an award laden year for Ms Adams after she won the Far West Volunteer of the Year, the Broken Hill City Council Community Award and was inducted into the Nydia Edes Hall of Fame alongside Peter Keenan. Her victory in the Far West Volunteer of the Year sees her in the running for the New South Wales Volunteer of the Year.
“It has been a different kind of year. We have had a terrible tragedy in our family this year, and these types of things come along and pick you up, keep you going. It really is a validation of everything that has been done at the Sulphide Street Station Railway & Historical Museum over the years,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Ms Adams remains committed to her role at the Railway Museum and is working on several new projects. “I do quite a lot of things. The future will predominantly be making sure the Railway Museum continues to run smoothly and hopefully encourage some new volunteers. I have been excitedly watching the foundation being laid for another building, but more on that later,” she told the Truth.
PICTURE: Christine Adams celebrates her recent NSW Community Achievement Award at the Sulphide Street Railway Museum. PRISCILLA McINTOSH
