Falklands : JANE CAMERON REMEMBERED
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 15.01.2010 (Article Archived on 31.01.2010)
Jane was a child of these Islands, born 60 years ago tomorrow less than a mile from this Cathedral – the daughter and granddaughter of sheep farmers on her father’s side and the granddaughter of a former Colonial Secretary and Governor on her mother’s.
(As Read out by Donald Cameron on Monday, 11 January 2010)
JANE CAMERON REMEMBERED
(As Read out by Donald Cameron on Monday, 11 January 2010)
Jane was a child of these Islands, born 60 years ago tomorrow less than a mile from this Cathedral – the daughter and granddaughter of sheep farmers on her father’s side and the granddaughter of a former Colonial Secretary and Governor on her mother’s.
Inspired, in part, by her brother, Alastair’s enthusiasm for life in the Islands, she returned here in 1989 to look for work. Finding that the Government Archives consisted largely of a miscellaneous collection of boxes and files stored haphazardly between Government House and the Secretariat, she proposed herself as a suitably qualified person to be Government Archivist and set to work.
It also quickly became clear that every one of her life experiences to this point made her the ideal candidate for a job that she had invented for herself - her love of the Islands, her training as a historian, bookbinder and paper restorer, her ability to get on with everyone and her intolerance of inaccurate and careless writing.
An archivist provides the glue that holds the community together. We cannot fully understand who we are if we do not know who we were. Nor can we know where we should be going if we do not know where we have been.
It is frequently said that no one is irreplaceable but very few people approach irreplacibility as closely as Jane, with her unique skill set.
In addition to her amazing achievement as an archivist, sorting and restoring Government papers, superintending the design and construction of the archives building, gathering and collating records of the privately owned farms, carrying on a world-wide correspondence with historians and genealogists both professional and armature and answering endless enquiries from students, she contributed a huge amount to the wider community.
She recorded the unique architectural features of Stanley and buildings in the Camp, fought fiercely for the preservation of buildings at risk and worked closely with the Museum. She co-wrote one book and contributed hugely to many more, particularly the Falkland Islands Dictionary of Biography.
She loved these Islands, their history, the flora and fauna – little pots of Teaberrys are particularly a fond memory – and their people, especially the older ones for their precious memories of past times. And, indeed, one of her last projects was the establishment of an oral history project.
The astonishing array of letter and cards we have received from people in all walks of life – professional colleagues, life-long friends and passing acquaintances, all of whom felt touched by her great lust for life and wide range of enthusiasms – bear witness to a truly wonderful and remarkable life.
We are sad that she is gone and marvelously privileged and grateful to have known her.
(100X Transcription Service from FIRS)
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