Conference brochure
(available for download in PDF format)

We are pleased to give further details of the forthcoming OHTA conference. Planning is now largely finalised and brochures are shortly to be published. This is our first foray into Northern Victoria and the Riverina District of New South Wales, where there is much of interest to see and hear.

The conference will begin on the Saturday at the Murray Conservatorium in Albury, where we have scheduled a number of topical papers on the organs of the region, focussing upon the chronology of their installation and the relocation of several important instruments to the area. We will also be looking at further important discoveries from the aural archives. Two New South Wales builders who have received little critical attention -T.C. Edwards and S.T. Noad - will be the subject of papers. The centrally-located Conservatorium has excellent modern facilities and we are pleased to acknowledge the help of the Director, Peter Lynch, in making this visit possible.

The range of organs that we will be visiting is wide, dating from the 1840s onwards, and includes the work of British, continental and local makers. These will be heard in individual demonstrations while at several venues with major instruments there will be more extended recitals.

The buildings in which they are placed will be of considerable interest, particularly Wangaratta Cathedral, designed by Walter Butler and completed by Louis Williams, who also designed the Cathedral at Griffith. St Matthew's, Albury, rebuilt after a disastrous fire, includes many outstanding recycled fittings, such as a pulpit by Gilbert Scott from Westminster Abbey. All Saints', Tumut is a striking example in brick of the work of Edmund Blacket.

We will be stopping at several historic towns in which may be found a fascinating range of buildings. These include Beechworth, Echuca, Narrandera and Hay. We are planning to have walking tours in at least two places. An additional bonus will be a winery visit near Leeton.

The overall conference fee includes four dinners, coach transportation from Albury and several lunches. A small concession will apply to those who pay the conference fees in full before 30 June 2003. As pre-booked accommodation will be limited, we urge intending participants to make bookings at the earliest juncture.

Updated conference information will be placed on the OHTA website as it becomes available.

Conference brochure
(available for download in PDF format)