ALBUMS addressed to a former governor of NSW made their return trip across the Indian Ocean more than 100 years after Lord Carrington took them home to England.
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The State Records of NSW displayed the archives, a series of albums containing illuminated addresses given to Lord Carrington, Governor of NSW from 1885 to 1890, at Charles Sturt University today.
One of the three albums on show at the free presentation was an address from the Wagga mayor and Murrumbidgee Pastoral Association, while the other two were from Albury and Inner Sydney West visits.
The albums have been kept vaulted in Aylesbury, England since Lord and Lady Carrington returned to England after his term.
Following a recataloguing, the albums were repatriated to the State Records of NSW and were shipped to Australia in January ahead of a formal ceremony in May where Dame Marie Bashir officially accepted the records.
"They're letters of profound thanks and appreciation for him visiting them with Lady Carrington and going around to all the regions," State Records of NSW director Geoff Hinchcliffe said ahead of today's presentation.
"It's very rare to be able to get these from Sydney to put on display here in Wagga.
"It's the first time ever they've been displayed outside the state records or government house.
"It's really the first time they've been on public display, that's the significance of the day."
The albums, each weighing about 15kg and a combination of paper and parchment, made their way to Wagga via car for the one-day presentation before travelling on to a similar conference in Armidale.
"It gives us an opportunity to access some of the treasures in the collection," Mr Hinchcliffe said.
"It gives us some insight into life about 125 years ago."
Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire welcomed the presentation of the cloth-hinged volumes.
"Lord Carrington was a much respected governor in the 1880s and the volumes have finely detailed illuminated borders, hand painted illustrations and well-wishes from residents, towns and associations across the state - including salutations from the Riverina," he said.