Therese Sweeney

Born 1961

I have been engaging communities, industry & families in photography, digital media & oral history recordings since the early 1990’s. I bring solid experience in strategy & communications to project work & commissions as: oral historian, media technician, artist, researcher, curator, digital archivist, writer & publish under Sweeney Ink.

For 30 years or more I have exhibited photography, video installations & sound recordings at major galleries throughout Sydney; at key libraries & museums across Sydney; in the landscape and built environment as video projections; online archives; & at key community sites such as clubs & resource centres. My work is held in both private collections and major State & National public institutions.

I have written, trained & delivered media courses with residents, transferring my skills in Green Valley, Airds, Macquarie Fields & sites within Liverpool for many years. All these projects have resulted in successful exhibition outcomes, including national recognition by way of nomination for media training at ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) awards in 2001. In recent years I have trained at regional libraries & galleries in oral history technologies & protocols as consultant to State Library NSW & Oral History NSW.

I have received numerous scholarships throughout my creative life, including a research fellowship at UTS through Shopfront & NSW Dept. of Women in 2000.

Prior to above I was employed in NSW government for over a decade, resigning as Senior Policy Officer, Legal Aid Commission in 1991, a human resource specialist.

Today, I continue my work on the South Coast of NSW and have in recent years written a number of oral history books via commission from private clients, industry & government.

Sweeney Ink has been publishing family, company and regional history books from 2016 as private commissions and government contracts.

Major works :

2025: Podcaster & producer: Therese Makes History-­‐Launching January 2025.

In conjunction with launch of website theresesweeney.com.au where the public will be able to purchase books, prints, maps and merchandise; view mixed media works; enrol in courses and secure Sweeney’s services.

2024-­‐25:  Writer/Social Historian: ‘The Sacred Heart of Green Valley’, Vol 1. -­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐

Published in mid 2025.

-­‐Currently initiating research & dialogue toward a comprehensive digital 20th century dairying history & publication on the Shoalhaven region. Initiating The  digital  lane  project between Bomaderry & Berry, capturing knowledge before it is lost forever.

1994-­‐2024: Social Historian: On the Fringes: Green Valley Public Housing Estate,

(known as Ashcroft, Miller, Busby, Heckenberg, Sadleir, Cartwright from ‘72) South-­‐West Sydney.

-­‐Major initiative to engage residents from my community-­‐of-­‐origin & surrounds in film & digital photography, analogue & digital sound as oral history, video production & installations to exhibit, archive. at local, State & National cultural institutions, broadcast, screen & publish. Introducing residents through engagement in new media technologies.

-­‐Inspired to reframe & redress the perpetuation of negativity toward our Estate from the mid ‘60s, plain ignorance held by the wider Sydney metropolis and press. I organised residents to participate through established groups as well as my own established networks in Green Valley, capturing their lives, stories, voices, portraits and the landscape. Demonstrating respectful collaboration and to honour their lives & contribution to society as our pioneering residents. I aimed for high standards to achieve outcomes that would endure for future residents, bringing additional expertise in systems, people management, research and organisation.

-­‐Innovated an enduring reciprocal model of multi-­‐media engagement & exchange with residents, embedding myself in community producing an enormous body of digital & analogue work, some now in our major State cultural institutions and hosted as an online archive through U.T.S library network. Available to the general public and international universities to access. A series of prints over the years have been purchased by State Library N.S.W. Major publications pending by Sweeney & podcast.

Major archive: sweeney.lib.uts.edu.au

2008-­‐2014: Social Historian: Pioneers of the Fringe-­‐Migrant Farming-­‐Memory Bank Sweeney established a not-­‐for-­‐profit charity, Memory Bank Cultural Media: Raised private funds to engage ageing pioneering market gardeners, many from South-­‐East Europe, the aim to collect their knowledge & history before it was lost as many were in the ‘80s. Additionally, major development was planned to build high density housing over this fertile food basin, the landscape is now transformed.

-­‐Outcomes included extensive engagement and establishing digital archives consisting of near 60 digital sound recordings as oral histories on migration, growing methods, community, family, markets and produce; community soundscapes; documentary photography & portraiture in the semi rural environment; video production in the landscape; personal collections secured & digitised. Digital works have been exhibited as installations in galleries, museums and libraries and on walls in Liverpool CBD.

-­‐Engagement occurred on farms, Austral Bowling Club, Leppington Bocce Club, Outer Liverpool Community Services & other community centres, on buses and referrals.

-­‐The actual launch of Memory Bank at Casula Powerhouse in 2010 was attended by Govt. officials: Mayor, Liverpool Council, NSW & Federal MPs. Launched by Noelene Brown, Ambassador for Ageing, and hosted by Sweeney in the theatre as a multi-­‐media presentation.

-­‐ It was the most attended launch in the galleries history at that point in time. Sweeney with local transport services organised buses to bring in residents from the semi-­‐rural landscape.

Publication pending by Sweeney in 2005/6 & podcast.

Major archive: sweeney.lib.uts.edu.au

2019: Archivist: Digitisation of all multi-­‐media material for UTS archive.

Prior to digitisation, I undertook all dark room work to print and deliver on fibre based paper to State Library of N.S.W. Digitisation of entire Sweeney archive requiring: Sound recordings from tape, minidisc, and H2Zoom to produce wav files and MP3s. Scanning entire negative collection to high & low res. jpg. & tiff. Digitising VHS tape, digital tape to digital files for 14 videos. Wrote all meta-­‐data for UTS library for each image, sound recording & video. Images curated & selected by Dr Paul Ashton, Dr Penny Stannard and myself over a period of weeks at UTS Shopfront. Additionally release forms signed on file for entire project works, as above. Videos hosted on youtube.

Archive: sweeney.lib.uts.edu.au

2011-­‐2017 Consultant Historian: Belgenny Farm Oral History Project,

Camden Park Estate. (N.S.W Dept. Primary Industries).

-­‐Contracted to produce an oral history project on 20th century Camden Park. To identify knowledge, images and work practises at Belgenny Farm and key dairies, now lost. For heritage to reimagine, build & restore important sites for purposes associated with heritage, education and tourism.

-­‐Initially my research required I identify key former personnel who held relevant knowledge-­‐ then engage those employees, family members & others connected to C.P.E throughout 20th century. Then undertake a recording as oral historian/digital sound recordist, portraiture as photographer, archivist-­‐ digitising private collections, technician/ editor. Project transcribed externally, coordinated by Sweeney.

-­‐Maintained technical filing system for delivery to N.S.W State Library, local libraries & NSW Dept. Primary Industries. Recorded, scanned, edited and delivered to meet digital archival standards set by National Library, Australia.

-­‐Final digital outcomes included 70 sound recordings, thousands of new 20th century photographs, digitised & collected from participants uncovered through engagement, additionally family & business records from 19th century (previously lost), contemporary portraits of all participants -­‐all delivered to State Library of NSW and Camden library. Two editions of the book, Camden Park Estate, The Community Story, edited and produced by Sweeney for N.S.W Dept. Primary Industries.

2007: Social Historian: ‘Conversations at the Diner’, New York Restaurant KX

Post WWII Diner in KX, renowned for quality home cooked comfort food for the working class clientele. Serving schnitzels, steaks, tripe, chicken roasts, meat cuts & desserts like prunes & rice. The clientele were ageing as was the cook and maître de. I worked 1 night p.w as waitress to be seen & known by diners/staff. Then I received funding to undertake a contemporary digital history project as extensive sound recordings, photography & text with clientele & staff. The project is archived through Sydney of City Libraries. The Diner closed its doors in 2010. Publication pending by Sweeney & podcast.

2005: Consultant Historian: Bringelly City on the Edge, Western Sydney Regional Councils & Liverpool City Library.

An extensive research & engagement project in the market gardening communities of south-­‐west Sydney with a focus on contemporary growing practises, capturing the second wave of migration with market gardeners from Vietnam, Thailand, Lebanon, China, Germany, Netherlands & Sudan. A multi-­‐ media project with photography & video histories. Reporting to a committee of 12 representatives from western Sydney. 30 images printed, framed and held by Liverpool Library.

1995-­‐1998: Photographer: Leichhardt gentrification: Norton St.

Initiating a photographic study on the gentrification of Leichhardt. Engaging residents, business owners and builders in the main street (Norton St.) as the landscape transformed from single dwellings to medium & high density accommodation. Archived & purchased by State Library of NSW (large prints purchased) & Leichhardt Library (prints purchased).

Books:

2020-­‐2022 : Commissioned writer & publisher Sweeney Ink

‘Our  Smartest  Horseman,  Vic  Gough,  The  North  Queensland  Cowboy’. An extensive written & pictorial history on a pioneering master horseman from the 1930s til present day. Published in print and as an ebook under Sweeney Ink in September 2022, National Library Australia & NSW State Library. Distributed by family. 272 pages.

2017-­‐2019: Commissioned writer and publisher Sweeney Ink

‘A  journey  from  Pasman:  Biserka  Skontra’, a memoir on a migrant chef from Croatia. Published in November 2019 in print/ebook under Sweeney Ink. National Library Australia & NSW State Library. Distributed by family. 180 pages.

2016-­‐2018: Commissioned writer and publisher Sweeney Ink

‘  Farming  was  our  University’:  The  Perich  family’. A comprehensive written & pictorial history on a leading migrant agricultural family from Bringelly, NSW. Published as a printed book in 2018 under Sweeney Ink. National Library Australia & local libraries. NSW State Library.

Not for sale. 280 pages.

2016-­‐2019: Commissioned writer & editor

‘Camden Park Estate, The Community Story’. Editions 1& 2.

Printed through Belgenny Farm Trust, NSW Dept. Primary Industries. A comprehensive pictorial book with extracts from oral histories recorded on 70 participants from 2011-­‐2017. Available through Belgenny Farm. 240 pages.

Exhibition History:

2023-­‐24: Photographer: Shoot exhibition, State Library N.S.W,

Official opening of photography gallery, 300 years, 400 prints and 300 photographers. Print selected from 94 : image of Graffiti Art by Sweeney.

2022-­‐Photographer: On the Fringes, South West Sydney,

Many photographs reimagined on fabric, UTS library, May-­‐September

2019-­‐Photographic  print: Marriage-­‐Love-­‐Law:Penrith Regional Gallery, Wedding portrait, West Hoxton 2001.

2018-­‐Photographer: ‘Duhk-­‐Ling’:Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Portrait Series on Wood, large paper & plaster.

2016 Photographer & Video Artist: On the Fringes Collection,

Retrospective-­‐photographic series + 4 x video projections, U.T.S.

2015-­‐Trainer & mentor: Postcard series: Greetings from Macquarie Fields.

Archived at National Gallery, gifted by Lisa Havallah (Campbelltown Regional Gallery).

2014-­‐Photographer & Video Artist: ‘Creative Moments’

Shoalhaven Regional Gallery-­‐Series of photographs & video projections, South West Sydney series.

2014-­‐ Archivist: On the Fringes 1994-­‐2014-­‐Launch of UTS library archive, Sydney.

2010- ­ ‐ Video Installation x 2: Our migrant farmers’, video artist x 2 , Forum held in theatre, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

2010- ­ ‐ Host, Photographer & Documentary Video:  ‘Tomato Stories’, Panel forum in theatre, interviewing market gardeners (6 ageing females from south-­‐east Europe) and screening a 7 min film.

2008-­‐Video Artist x 4 projections: ‘Intimate moments,’ On building surfaces throughout Liverpool CBD. Females on the fringes who are not in the consciousness of the city folk.

2007-­‐Photographer & oral Historian: ‘Conversations at the Diner:’ 17 Sound recordings, text & photography. Exhibited across 3 sites in Kings Cross; at the Diner itself, KX library screened all the dishes plus a photographic series, framed. Menus in diner included text from the stories and recordings. Transcribed by my mother Bernadette from a minidisc recorder.

2007-­‐Photographer: Rightous suburbs, Cross Art Projects. Photography in Macquarie Fields.

2007-­‐Documentary: Love & Music, an 8 min video on an ageing dramatic soprano.

2006-­‐Photographer&Video Historian: ‘Bringelly, City on the Edge’, A series of 30 framed photography prints. Toured Narellan library, Hawkesbury Regional gallery & Liverpool library.

2005-­‐Video editor and operator: Tunnel Vision, Greed & Stupidity, video artist, Cross Art projects.

2004-­‐Photographer: ‘Reframing the Valley’, 10 year retrospective, Photography, curator Liz Muller. Leichhardt.

1997-­‐Photographer: Fibro-­‐Perspecta 97. 22 canvas photography panels, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (through Art Gallery of NSW), reviewed by Photofile, published a series of the works.

1996-­‐Photographer: A published series of photographs, ‘On  the  Frontier,  a  Social  History  of Liverpool, Hale & Iremonger, by Chris Keating.

1994- ­ ‐ Photographer: ‘Legal Walls Project’, Ran over 8 weekends culminating in an exhibition and booklet. Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

Trainer/Curator

2013-­‐2017: Consultant to NSW State Library & OHNSW to write & deliver training in oral history protocols/technology to regional staff at Newcastle, Dubbo, Riverina & Lightening Ridge.

2012-­‐Photography mentor: UTS Social leaders group, Shopfront.

2010-­‐Trainer/Curator: Made  on  the  Kitchen  Table.  Trained 16 indigenous women to produce an extensive photography exhibit at Casula Powerhouse Arts centre. 3 months.

2007-­‐Photography Trainer/Curator: New Angles at Macfields, worked with residents of Macquarie Fields, to produce an exhibition over 6 months. Community selected me for role. Produced a postcard series, ‘Greetings from Macquarie Fields’. Also trained community of Airds.

2005-­‐Photography Trainer & Curator-­‐Light Stills Emotion, a card series for Liverpool Women’s Health Service.

2004-­‐Photography Trainer/Curator-­‐Women  Shoot  West. Residents from Women’s Resource Centre, Ashcroft(Green valley), produced exhibit at Liverpool Hospital.

Video production:

2012: Pioneers of the Fringe, South-­‐West Sydney, Sound & Image, 21mins. 2011: Fringe Dwellers, South West Sydney, Screened Sydney Fringe Festival.

2010: Tomato Stories, Tomato growers from South-­‐West Sydney, 7mins. Theatre, Casula Powerhouse. 2010: 2xVideo Installations: Pioneers of the fringe Part 1-­‐moving image-­‐farm scapes & Part 2, Sound and text, voices and names of pioneering farmers. Liverpool Bicentenary, Casula Powerhouse.

2008 x 4 Video projections for Intimate  Moments solo exhibit-­‐across Liverpool CBD Walls. Introspecting, Pioneering & Imagining, 3 women in spaces on the farming fringe (Tramachi, Boskovich & Choma) and Fostering, Heckenberg (G.V), Indigenous foster parent Colleen Thorne, observing daily tasks. 3 min each. No sound.

2007: Love & Music: performance by Soprano Noela Strange-­‐Muir, uncovered in The Diner project. 1999: Green Valley Snaps: Moving footage, sound and stills. Documentary on Green Valley 12mins. 1998: New estate: Soundtrack & Photography. Short film on new estate Cecil Hills. 3mins.

1996: A Green Valley Story: Short documentary on Fay Smith, Ashcroft.

Keynote Speaker

2021-­‐History Week-­‐From the Ground Up-­‐Collecting in South West Sydney, September.

2018-­‐Guest Speaker,  Artists working with oral history, oral historians working with artists, November. Oral History NSW & Verge Gallery.

Qualifications/Awards/Nominations

1999-­‐Bachelor of Arts (Communications) U.T.S Sydney

2001-­‐Research Scholarship, UTS, Shopfront & NSW Dept. for Women.

Media teacher & producer, Miller High school, (Green Valley). Mentored 12 young women in film production skills to shoot, direct & edit 3 short films. Won awards: Penrith valley Film Festival, State Youth Week & National nomination for ATOM awards (Australian Teachers of Media), held in Melbourne. Touted as ‘the best project ever ran’ by CEO, NSW Dept. for Women.

2005-­‐Scholarship Photography, Charles Sturt University, Wagga. 2007-­‐Scholarship-­‐Editing-­‐Final Cut Pro, Metro Screen Paddington. 2010-­‐Not-­‐for-­‐Profit Management, Business School, U.T.S

2009-­‐Nominated by National Oral History Assoc. for an International Oral History Award: The Memory Bank Project. 2008-­‐2012

Additional writing:

2019-­‐2022-­‐Commissioned writer/photographer for South Coast Style.

2004-­‐Real Time Arts, review exhibitions & write daily reviews for Biennale of Electronic Arts, Perth over 14 days, plus additional articles as required.

2000-­‐2015: Oral History Australia-­‐Journal: Various articles & submissions for publication.

Other employment/qual’s:

1980-­‐1991: Employed in NSW Govt. held Recruitment, Personnel Management & Policy roles specialising in Occupational Health, Safety and Employee Relations. Resigned as Senior Policy Analyst, Legal Aid Commission in 91.

1992-­‐93: Completed a Health Science Diploma at TAFE.

Instructions

There are lots of ways to find your way around the site. These instructions will get you started.

Hit the explore button at the top of the page. This will take you to the browse page, where a selection of photographs are displayed. Select an image. On the right hand side of each image there is a list of keywords and subjects. Sometimes, there is also a bank of related images. Select a keyword or subject term or a related image to browse the collection.

To return to the brows page, hit the Browse button at the top of the page. To return to the front page, hit the Therese Sweeney Ink button.

License

Unless otherwise noted, content on the sweeney.lib.uts.edu.au website is owned by Therese Sweeney. To request a license for non-commercial or commercial use of her work, please contact Therese Sweeney by phone on 0415900320, or by email.