Released 07/05/2017
Minister for the Arts and Community Events Gordon Ramsay today trialled new technology being used to manage and experience Lanyon, once of Canberra’s premier historic sites.
Mr Ramsay was visiting Lanyon to take part in Beyond The Homestead, a program of activities that encouraged visitors to explore the wider historic precinct at Lanyon. Held as part of the 2017 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, the program included children’s workshops, an Indigenous walk, and an opportunity for people to get expert advice on caring for family heirlooms.
While at Lanyon Mr Ramsay toured the homestead and trialled a new digital guide that has been developed to allow visitors to learn more about Lanyon. He also viewed aerial photographs of the homestead and precinct taken using drone technology. These images provide staff who manage the site with a inexpensive and effective way to check on maintenance needs of areas that are difficult to access, like the roof of the homestead and the tops of trees.
“Lanyon is one of Canberra’s premier historic precincts, with a rich and multilayered history including remnant natural woodlands, Aboriginal heritage, and substantial landscapes, gardens and buildings relating to its pastoral use from the 1830s,” Mr Ramsay said.
“During my visit to Lanyon I was fascinated to see how new technology is providing innovative ways to access and experience this important heritage site.”
The digital guide is in the final stages of development and testing. When launched, it will allow visitors to experience Lanyon in ways that suit their individual preferences and learning styles. The guide will direct visitors to various locations across the site, selected to represent different aspects of its history and collection, and providing both audio and visual information to tell Lanyon’s story. Visitors will be able to download the guide free of charge on their own devices or use it on devices available at Lanyon, allowing them a closer, more personal experience of this important heritage site.
Drone technology is also being used to support the management and conservation of the precinct, removing the need for time-consuming, difficult and costly access and providing high-definition records of otherwise inaccessible elements of the site.
“During this year’s Canberra and Region Heritage Festival it’s great to see how 21st century technology can help us both in managing our historic sites and in providing visitors with a richer experience of Canberra’s heritage,” Mr Ramsay said.
Image of Lanyon Homestead taken by drone.
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Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases