Janice JohnsonJanice was actively involved in a wide range of community activities. She was a member of the Camden Historical Society, Camden Area Family History Society, Camden St John's Anglican Church, Camden Country Women's Association and the Camden Show Socity. Janice threw herself into the Camden Historical Society and was at various times a research officer, speakers co-ordinator, photo selection committee member and also secretary and treasurer for a period. For the Society she completed seven very comprehensive 'Statements of Significance' folders which are available at the Museum for visitors to read, about items to do with World War I and also the Museum's grand piano and the Onslow uniform. She published The Memoirs of Obed West in 2011; Reflections on Old Sydney & Colonial Days in 2012; and Reminiscences of Early Camden in 2013. She was a co-author of the fourth edition of They Worked at Camden Park. In April 2014 the Camden Historical Society launched her book Camden World War I Diggers 1914 to 1918. It was a proud moment when we had a book launch in the Museum for her book Camden World War I Diggers launched by our then Federal Member Russell Matheson. The book drew on published letters from Camden soldiers and nurses in World War I. She was also a co-author with Brian Burnett of a CD Camden Unlocking the Past (2013) and a co-author with Joy Thorn and John Burge of a book on the St Pauls Graveyard at Cobbitty. Janice's books are popular and will be of long-term benefit to future researchers. One of the things that Janice cared deeply about was St. John's. She loved its serenity as a place of worship, its history, the stained glass windows which she carefully photographed for her book, and the gravestones in the cemetery. And she could remember so much of the details of the people here in her head! Since 2008 Janice has been a volunteer archivist at the historic Camden Park House. She typed the extensive card catalogue of the library, which is said to be the most important private library in Australia. Over the years Janice has been a prolific columnist in The District Reporter's Back Then history page, contributing many articles with excellent original research which revealed aspects of Camden's history not previously published. I know the editor Lee Abrahams was grateful for Janice's support. Janice's exceptional contribution to local heritage was recognised by a Heritage Volunteer Award in April 2014 by the Heritage Council of NSW. Janice was one of the 'heritage heroes' presented with awards during a ceremony at the Justice and Police Museum. Janice was extremely capable and had very high standards in her research work and I must admit that not all of us were able to match her expectations. She was proud of her achievements and some of us received short shrift in conversations at times. But she was kind to many people and helped a large number with their family histories. She had a very clever skill in the museum of quietly googling a subject while we were helping a museum visitor. The visitor would then be astonished to find that Janice already had the information available about their ancestors before our conversation was finished. She could also have several websites open at the same time and instantaneously cross reference subjects of interest. I know of no other local person who combined such computer skills, with detective-like research curiosity and an inexhaustible capacity for hard work. We are all glad to have known Janice Johnson and Camden is a better place for her time as a resident. Peace be with you. John Wrigley OAM. (2017) Read More Read Less