02/08/2026
It's always a pleasure to welcome homegrown experts back to Gawler to share their knowledge and passion.
Recently, the Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre was delighted to host Chris Redman, a conservator specialising in variable media, during a visit to explore the Gawler Heritage Collection and discuss the unique challenges associated with preserving these important cultural records.
Variable media refers to heritage items that rely on changing technologies for access and interpretation. This can include audio recordings, video tapes, film, photographs, digital files, computer-based artworks, and other formats that may become inaccessible as playback equipment and software become obsolete. Unlike traditional documents or objects, variable media often require ongoing management and migration to newer formats to ensure they remain usable into the future.
Timely conservation of variable media is critical. Magnetic tapes can deteriorate, film can degrade, and digital files can become inaccessible as technology changes. Once playback equipment disappears or a format becomes unreadable, valuable historical information can be lost forever. Early intervention helps safeguard these records and ensures they remain accessible for future generations.
Chris, who grew up in Gawler and now works interstate in the field of audiovisual and variable media conservation, provided valuable insights into current preservation practices and the importance of prioritising at-risk media. His expertise highlighted the opportunities and challenges faced by collecting institutions across Australia as they work to preserve increasingly diverse heritage materials.
The Gawler Heritage Collection contains a body of variable media documenting the history of the town and its people. From oral history interviews and community recordings to audiovisual records of local events, these materials capture stories, voices and experiences that complement traditional archival records and photographs. They provide a rich and often deeply personal record of Gawler's social, cultural and civic history.
Visits such as this are an important reminder that preserving heritage is not only about caring for historic objects and documents. It is also about ensuring that recorded memories, moving images and sound recordings remain accessible and meaningful for future generations. The Cultural Heritage Centre looks forward to continuing its work to preserve and share these valuable pieces of Gawler's history.
