NLIS 3
October 22, 2001
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 

Minister accepts SONRA records for Provincial Archives holdings

The Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador has acquired the records of the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA). Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation accepted this at an event held at the Colonial building today.

These records that the Provincial Archives has acquired, document the history of the society from its forerunner organization through to its current form. Included in the collection are financial records, correspondence, minutes, membership material, log books, newsletters and photographs circa 1930 to 1993.

"This is both a timely and significant acquisition as we recognize Guglielmo Marconi�s great achievement, the first transatlantic wireless signal sent December 1901 from Poldhu, England to St. John�s, Newfoundland and its impact on communications," said Minister Aylward. "Today�s event highlights acquisition efforts we are beginning to focus on in anticipation of our enhanced capabilities in The Rooms."

SONRA was first formed in April 1959 after the dissolution of the Newfoundland Radio Club, or Newfoundland Association of Radio Amateurs as it was also known. The society provided services to amateur radio operators in the province including a directory of members, the assigning of radio identification and newsletters. In 1994, through the work of Don Wyatt and Mac Moss, the provincial organization VOAR (VO [call letters for Newfoundland and Labrador] Association of Radio Amateurs) was formed to take on many of the provincial responsibilities that SONRA could not facilitate. SONRA has remained as one group on a list of many radio clubs operating in Newfoundland and Labrador and, at present, is the largest of 15 groups throughout the province.

Continuing at the Colonial Building in St. John�s until October 31 is An Unmistakable Sound: Marconi�s Transatlantic Success - an exhibit of the receiving apparatus, equipment and Marconi�s documents he used on Signal Hill 100 years ago.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2001 10 22                          1:00 p.m.


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