Up the Coast, Our Stories Our Collections: Sunshine Coast Heritage Collections exhibition is currently showing at Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy until 30 October 2010.
 
As part of the exhibition Professor Peter Spearritt, one of Queensland's most notable historians and a Professor of History in the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics at the University of Queensland, will present an exhibition floor talk 'The material culture of the Sunshine Coast: Why souvenirs and postcards matter?' at 6pm on Thursday 21 October.
 
The exhibition, which celebrates the history of the Sunshine Coast as a holiday destination, features objects, photographs and stories from Sunshine Coast community museums and libraries, the Sunshine Coast Council Art Collection, Bankfoot House and some private collectors.
 
And audiences at the talk are invited to bring along their favourite Sunshine Coast holiday snaps to be copied and added to the Picture Sunshine Coast database. The photos will build on the Sunshine Coast's collection of contemporary photos available online.
 
Cultural Heritage Curator Olivia Robinson said the gallery was pleased to bring Peter Spearritt's expertise and viewpoint on the topic to the local community.
 
"Peter's work will help enhance the heritage work we are doing on the Sunshine Coast -- work  that takes the region's history and heritage from a local viewpoint to one much broader, and reminds us we are part of the larger Queensland story," Ms Robinson said.
 
"I encourage anyone who has an interest in Queensland history, tourism souvenirs and memorabilia to come along to Peter's talk which is a great forerunner to the Community Museum Open Day on 23 October."
 
More information about locations and opening times of community museums and cultural heritage places across the Sunshine Coast can be found at council's website www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

What:    Exhibition floor talk for the Up the Coast: Our Stories Our Collections: Sunshine Coast Heritage Collections
Who:    Professor Peter Spearritt's exhibition floor talk titled 'The material culture of the Sunshine Coast: Why souvenirs and postcards matter?'
When:           6pm Thursday 21 October 2010
Where:   Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy
Cost:           Free