It is reasonable to assume that as Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis sat at his drafting board, working on the design for Maitland Gaol in the early 19th Century he could never have imagined the advancements in technology which would take place over the following 180 yrs. The first prisoners were transported by barge up the Hunter River to the port at Morpeth and then marched to the newly appointed prison on New Years Eve 1848. At various times prisoners were moved to and from the gaol by train and van and finally by armoured transport vehicles. Similarly, modes of communication with the gaol have evolved from hand written letters and telegrams to telephone, fax and in most recent times the internet and email. It is hard to believe the evolution in communication which has developed since the turn of the 21st century such as Facebook, Twitter, blogging and even many of the mobile technologies of today were only just being thought about when the Gaol closed only 11 years ago.
Maitland Gaol has had a web address for a number of years, and recently developed this blog to present the history of the Gaol to the wider community, however, in a move designed to allow more direct interaction between the heritage listed site and the greater global community, gaol staff have developed a Facebook page containing news and information about the gaol, including upcoming tours and events. Members of the public can share photographs and stories and take advantage of exclusive deals.
To celebrate the creation of the Maitland Gaol Facebook page, staff are offering “fans” the opportunity to win a double pass to a gaol tour of their choice by submitting photographs they have taken while visiting the site. Becoming a “fan” is easy. Simply create a Facebook profile, search “Maitland Gaol” and register. Then upload a maximum of 2 photos featuring the gaol. Professional and amateur snappers are welcome to enter the competition and the winner will be notified via the web page by April 30th. Photographs will be available for viewing on the Facebook page.
Attached Photo: Ex-officers, ex-inmates, family & friends take part in a research forum. (Photographer: Maitland Gaol staff member)
Maitland Mercury, Monday 14 December, 2009
While taking part in Oral Histories research conducted by Maitland Gaol staff, a former Senior Overseer in charge of the gaol’s saddlery for more than 20 years, has refuted claims that infamous con-man and escapee Darcy Dugan was a central figure in the 1975 riot that saw inmates cause extensive damage before being tear-gassed and the ring-leaders shanghaied.
Dugan was, at the time working in the saddlery, manufacturing an assortment of horse blankets, medicine balls, soft ball bases and hospital / ambulance stretchers. On the morning of the riot, Darcy presented the OIC with a “sick pass” and was allowed to return to his cell in B Wing for the remainder of the day. The riot began, in Darcy’s absence, around midday. The Overseer believes that “Darcy knew something was going on, but wanted no part of it”. He also recalls that Dugan, who later in life gained some renown as a landscape painter “wasn’t much good really, till Ricky Robinson gave him a few tips”.
Ricky was an Aboriginal inmate transferred to Maitland from Grafton. Noting Ricky’s artistic talent, the Overseer commissioned him to adorn the saddlery walls in exchange for tobacco rations. Other inmate artists, including a professional art forger were also assigned to the task. Of the 5 artworks completed, 3 bare the signature of Ricky Robinson. The largest, a mural covering the southern wall of the building, features a horseman chasing brumbies over an expansive outback landscape. The water-damaged and restored mural, was, according to the Overseer, painted over another mural depicting an early settlers’ homestead scene, which for some unknown reason didn’t meet with Ricky’s expectations.
It is planned that in the not-too-distant future, visitors to Maitland Gaol will be able to view the growing collection of inmate artworks, including those by Robinson and Dugan, held on site. Anyone with prison-made artworks who would be interested in loaning them to the gaol for a proposed future exhibition are encouraged to contact Maitland Gaol on (02) 4936 6482 or email info@maitlandgaol.com.au
Maitland Mercury, Monday 30 November, 2009
WILLIAM JOHN FULLER (better known as JACK or BIG JOHN) first began service with the NSW Department of Prisons in 1947. In an interview recorded for the Maitland Gaol Oral History Project in January 2000, Jack recalls some of the highlights of his 30 plus years in the service including dodging missiles thrown by inmates during the 1975 riot, Ray Denning’s daring escape attempt, an inspirational visit to the gaol by Evangelist Billy Graham and being “flashed” by female prisoners. He doesn’t however mention his alter-ego “Maitman”.
As “Maitman” Jack wrote articles for The New South Wales Prison Officers Journal reporting, generally, on the lighter side of gaol life. In the Christmas 1969 edition he wrote: “On the sporting scene…all the fit members are still playing table tennis during their lunch break but the old crocks are still awaiting the much needed billiard table which was promised some time back to this establishment.”
While researching this article gaol staff came across a photograph featuring the aforementioned billiard table. The young man standing holding the cue has been identified as Graeme “Percy” Greenaway. Graeme was employed as a cleaner at the gaol from March 1980 (when he took over from his mother Shirley) until March 1996. Graeme and Shirley recall the many changes that took place even during the years they worked at the gaol with visits to inmates first taking place in boxes near the gate house, then being moved to the Lt. Governors office before a purpose built Visits Centre being installed in 1993. Another lasting memory is of the media throng at the front gates the day Darcy Dugan was scheduled for release. If on viewing the photo you can shed some light on who the “old crock” potting a small ball in the corner pocket is, please contact gaol staff on (02) 4936 6482 or by email at: info@maitlandgaol.com.au
