Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre has been awarded a Jury Commendation for Innovation, one of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The award recognises newly-built structures which demonstrate outstanding standards for contemporary architectural design which is well-integrated into history contexts. Sydney Harbour YHA is sympathetically situated on a site of great historical significance, above the remnants of houses, pubs and laneways dating back to the earliest days of the Australian colony.

This highly prized UNESCO award has never before been won by a hostel. A panel of international conservation experts chose YHA’s project from a total of 34 entries from 10 countries in the region, including museums, religious sites and public institutions. For the full list of winners visit:  http://www.unescobkk.org/culture/world-heritage-and-immovable-heritage/asia-pacific-heritage-awards-for-culture-heritage-conservation/2011-heritage-awards/

Since opening in late 2009, Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre has collected an impressive array of awards and commendations from industry and guests.

See the attached for a full listing to date!

Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig Awards List

The Big Dig Archaeology Weekend, part of National Archaeology Week 2011, gave a hands-on introduction to Australian Historical Archaeology to an enthusiastic group of participants, whilst playing an important role in the ongoing conservation of The Big Dig site.

The program was very well received, participants commenting that ‘I liked the amount of information which I learned about the site and the people who lived here. The amount of artefacts found were very interesting’, ‘I think the whole project is very well organised and I am taking home with me great new archaeological skills and a fantastic set of memories’ and ’It was a full on, action packed weekend.’

We would like to thank Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Dr Craig Barker, Sydney Observatory, Susannah Place Museum, The Rocks Discovery Museum and Sydney University for their assistance with the weekend.

Particular thanks go to Helen Nicholson for leading the program and excavation and for sharing her knowledge and experience with such enthusiasm.

If you would like to be kept informed of any future programs at The Big Dig please email us at thebigdig@yha.com.au

We were very pleased to welcome Tony Robinson to The Big Dig late last year. He filmed a segment for his new series Tony Robinson Explores Australia, which will appear in the second episode of the series premiering tonight on The History Channel at 7.30pm. Don’t miss it!

http://www.historychannel.com.au/tv-shows/show-details.aspx?id=813

Earlier this month we were delighted to welcome 26 members of the Byrne family to Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig. The family were descendants of Richard and Margaret Byrne via their son Patrick, who was born in the house in 1810.

The family had organised a weekend get together, staying at the hostel, and on Saturday 9th April they took a tour of the archaeological remnants to see where their family, and Patrick’s older sister Catherine, had once lived on the site. They were very interested to hear the stories of the Byrne’s friends and neighbours, and to get a sense of what day to day life in the neighbourhood would have been like.

There are still a few places left for The Big Dig Archaeology Weekend, 13-15 May 2011. Applications will now be accepted until 5.00pm on Thursday 28th April, so don’t delay!

This hands-on excavation program has been organised as part of National Archaeology Week 2011, and is being run in collaboration with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. The dig will be led by Helen Nicholson, who worked on the 2008 excavations of the site.

The Big Dig Archaeology Weekend

The Big Dig Archaeology Weekend Program

Archaeology Weekend Application Form

ARTEXPRESS at Sydney Harbour YHA

ARTEXPRESS has returned to The Rocks, and Sydney Harbour YHA is delighted to showcase three fantastic ceramic artworks in the entry foyer of the hostel, sitting on the archaeological remnants of The Big Dig. Congratulations to Sarah Blackman, Anna De Bortoli and Charlene Rahme – we love your work!

For more information visit

www.therocks.com/sydney-Things_To_Do-ARTEXPRESS_2011.htm

School Holidays Workshop:  18 – 21 April 2011

The Australian Theatre for Young People will be running a brilliant theatre-making workshop for kids (Years K -2) at The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre this April.

Based around Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt!, children will plan their own journey with new and exciting obstacles. They will create their own bear characters and use some old favourites to create a new story.

For futher information, and to make a booking, visit ATYP’s website: http://www.atyp.com.au/index.php/primary

Sydney Harbour YHA is now open and welcoming guests from around the world. If you would like to stay at this exciting new hostel, please book at yha.com.au

Sydney Harbour YHA is now open! To book accommodation please go to yha.com.au.