The S.E.H.A held a Textile Conservation workshop at the Springvale Community Hub on July 15, 2023. The presenter was Erina McCann of Tiaki Objects Conservation https://www.tiakiobjectsconservation.com/

The workshop covered –
Introduction to textiles conservation, care and management
• Strategies for collection management and care
Prevention Conservation
• Environmental monitoring
• Collection maintenance
• Pests and infestations
• Manual handling
• Storage and display
Basic cleaning of textiles
• Why clean?
• What to clean
• When to clean
• Equipment and methods for cleaning
Rehousing and storing your collection
• Selecting materials
• What not to use
• Demonstrations

Erina, our presenter, was wonderful, came with samples of resources, showed us techniques and also gave advice on specific items brought along by participants.

Springvale Community Hub is a great venue, easy access, easy parking and has great facilities and they set the room up for us. The City of Greater Dandenong kindly allowed us to use the room gratis.

The Royal Historical Society of Victoria also advertised the seminar for us on their Facebook page and twice in their weekly newsletter which is emailed to all their members; we are grateful for their support.

In summary – it was a very useful and informative seminar, and those who attended were very happy and learnt so much. I can recommend Erina McCann of Tiaki Objects Conservation, if your Society wishes to hold a similar seminar or needs expert textile conservation advice.