The record includes digitised photographs and historical information about mayors, councillors and shire presidents from the former Municipality of Armidale, Armidale City Council, Dumaresq Shire Council, Armidale Dumaresq Council and Guyra Shire Council.

While the exhibition created for the launch features a display of photographs and objects including mayoral chains, it was decided that ongoing accessibility to the entire range of photos would be better served in a digital format.

“The online record is a wonderful resource that documents the long history of local government in this region,” said Administrator Dr Ian Tiley.

“The existing Armidale collection of framed portraits will be preserved at the Armidale Folk Museum and will remain accessible and available for future exhibition. The Guyra collection is on display in Council’s offices in Guyra. ”

The digitised photos, with accompanying biographies, can be found on Council’s website. A copy of the digitised photos will be included in the Regional Archives at the UNE Heritage Centre.

“Council’s foyer spaces are now available for rotating exhibitions of local art,” Dr Tiley said.

“A new space in Armidale’s Council Chambers has been created to accommodate a portrait of the new mayor and group photo of incoming councillors. These photographs will be taken soon after the September election and will be displayed during their term of office.

“Until this time, the small exhibition of portraits and some of the councils’ former crests and chains is on display in the Council Chambers.”

To view the online record, go to the Armidale Regional Council website page here.