Dr Nikki Henningham
Ian Maclean Award 2005
Topic: Locating records relating to the experience of migrant women in Australia to augment the existing holdings of official archival repositories
Biographical note
Dr Nikki Henningham is a research fellow and Executive Officer of the Australian Women's Archive Project.
Outcome
Dr Henningham used her award to locate records relating to the experience of migrant women in Australia and augment the existing holdings of official archival repositories. While women have had active roles in public life, quite often this work has taken place through professional and private networks that may not capture the attention of official archival repositories.
The project entailed detective work to track down valuable records hidden away in back offices, garages or even under beds. To locate records of these initiatives, Dr Henningham sought advice from people involved in community programs to assist migrant women at the local, state or national level.
Dr Henningham's labours have borne fruit – see the documentary history website Being Seen and Heard: Migrant Women Organising in Australia (see link below).
