Archivist, NSW

Kirsten Thorpe has news for those who think archivists work in dingy, subterranean places. “That myth about librarians and archivists isn’t true,” says Thorpe, who works at State Records in The Rocks and is Australia’s only trained Aboriginal archivist.

“It’s not all dark and gloomy — the stereotype of people in dust coats down in a dungeon. It’s actually quite a vibrant network of people.”

Indeed Thorpe’s job, which involves helping everyone from family history buffs to academics and government officials access the state archives, has held the 31-year-old in thrall for nearly eight years. “Being immersed in history every day and finding new history [as well as] reconnecting people to that information is incredibly rewarding,” she says.

“We give advice on how people can access the [information] — my role is doing that with Aboriginal people affected by Stolen Generation policies.” Thorpe has worked on State Records’ current exhibition In Living Memory, a collection of surviving photographs from the records of the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board dating from 1919-1966, but at the moment works mainly on the NSW Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme.

“The scheme is a commitment by the State Government to repay monies that were held in trust for Aboriginal people by the government [but] were never paid,” she says.
A background in Aboriginal studies, history and sociology led Thorpe into the field. She has also completed the one-year post-graduate course required to become an archivist.

Description: Archivists analyse and document records. They also plan and organise systems for the safekeeping of records and historical documents. These may include written records, files, maps, plans, letters, books, diaries, photos, films, recordings, microfilms and computer records.
An archivist can work for government, libraries, businesses, religious bodies, educational institutions, museums and community organisations.

Qualifications: Monash, Edith Cowan and Curtin universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses (some online) while UTS has a new Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Information and Media), which has not yet been accredited by the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA).

Course description: Edith Cowan has a 12-month Graduate Diploma of Science (Information Services) which can be done online and is designed for professionals with a broad range of skills in information services, information management and information technology. If you have an undergraduate degree, or can demonstrate equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience, you are eligible to do this course. Details at www.scis.ecu.edu.au

From the inside: As Kirsten Thorpe (pictured) from State Records NSW points out, it only takes a year to become an archivist if you already have a degree (in any subject). “The ASA has meetings all over the place, so you can meet other archivists,” says Thorpe. She also recommends making contact with State Archives. The ASA is also in the process of establishing a scholarship program aimed at training more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to take up careers as archivists and records managers.

Details: 1800 622 251; archivists.org.au