Deception

Janice Johnson (1946 - 2017)Janice 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 Society. 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 If Gravestones Could Talk - Stories from the Churchyard of St John's Camden in 2010; 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. 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 Paul's 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. From 2008 to 2017 Janice was 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 was 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. 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 made an important contribution to local history.