Contemporary Covid-19 collection for Claremont’s museum archives

Contemporary Covid-19 collection for Claremont’s museum archives

Town of Claremont’s Museum Advisory Committee has asked Councillors and the broader community to contribute to a contemporary collection documenting life through the Covid-19 pandemic.   The collection will record how life within Claremont was during this period of time, and how the pandemic changed everyday aspects such as visiting the shops, working from home and also the length of time mail took to arrive.   Claremont Mayor Jock Barker said insights into the past were vital for future generations.   “As the saying goes, today’s topics are tomorrow’s history,” Mayor Barker said. “Think of the famous Anne Frank’s diary during World War II, it’s items like this that really document how life was like during this time, and helps future generations understand history.”   “We need to create our own reflection of how our lives were affected during this pandemic, whether it is through diaries, artwork, news clippings, photographs or mail.”   Claremont Councillor and Philatelist Bruce Haynes added to the collection documentation, illustrating the effect the pandemic had on the international mail industry, including the delays for sending and receiving letters.   “The pandemic has been the most disruptive event on mail services since the Second World War when international airmail services ceased and only viable seamail services existed,” Cr Haynes said.   “A great example of the domestic mail disruption is the posting of an article, dispatched from Claremont by express post on 30 March, received and reposted from Cocos Keeling Islands on 6 April and then not returning to Claremont until a month later on 6 May 2020.”   “There is now a slogan on our mail reading ‘Stay safe and connected Australia’, which was introduced in Perth and other capital cities in April.   “The impact of Covid-19 will continue to affect WA mail services for quite some time.”   “It’ll be a story for our children to tell their children, the great pandemic of 2020,” Mayor Barker added.   Back To News Stories