2016 Royal Australian Historical Society Conference

In June 2012, the RAHS Council agreed that the keynote address to all RAHS Conferences would be named after Lesley Muir, and that the address would be considered for publication. This was an acknowledgement of the contribution that Lesley made to both the RAHS and local history in Australia.

Lesley was an active member of the Affiliated Societies network from the early 1980s, serving on its Affiliated Societies Committee from 1985-2012. She also served as an RAHS Councillor from 2002-2012. Lesley had many research interests. From the 1980s she worked with Canterbury and District Historical Society to research, write and publish booklets on aspects of the district’s history. Her largest community project involved researching and editing Canterbury’s Boys: World War 1 and Sydney’s Suburban Fringe. In 1994 she was awarded of Doctor of Philosophy in Historical Geography for her thesis Shady Acres: Politicians, Developers and the Design of Sydney’s Public Transport System 1873-1895. Lesley worked tirelessly to promote local history. Many RAHS and Affiliated Societies members enjoyed her tours, workshops, talks and articles. Shortly before her death, she was made a Fellow of the RAHS, the Society’s highest accolade. Those who knew her speak fondly of her energy, enthusiasm and modesty. The Lesley Muir address continues her legacy by focusing on historical geography and the importance of place in history.

Read more about Lesley’s contribution.

2015 Lesley Muir Address – British Child Migrant Experiences presented by Mr David Hill.

David Hill gave the 2015 Lesley Muir Address at the RAHS Conference held on 24th and 25th October at Bankstown. The theme of the conference was Migration Matters. David shared his own experience and reflected on the experience of other British child migrants who came to Australia and attended the Fairbridge Farm School near Molong in NSW. Notes on the address was published in the December 2015 edition of History.

2014 Lesley Muir Address – Anzac Day Early Rituals presented by Bill Gammage AM – adjunct professor in the Humanities Research Centre at the Australian National University (ANU).

Bill Gammage gave the 2014 Lesley Muir Address at the RAHS Annual State History Conference held on 25th and 26th October at Mittagong. The theme of the conference was Moving History. He examined how Anzac Day rituals began and how they differed from place to place and year to year. An overview of the address was published in the December 2014 edition of History.

2013 Lesley Muir Address – History and Place presented by Associate Professor John McQuilton

Associate Professor John McQuilton gave the 2013 Lesley Muir Address at the RAHS State History Conference held on 1 and 2 November at Katoomba RSL. The theme of the conference was The Great Divide: Getting there from here. Associate Professor McQuilton examined the importance of place in history using one event, the impact of the Great War, on one place – North Eastern Victoria. The address had particular resonance with the audience, many of whom were involved in projects related to World War I commemorative activities.

2012 Inaugural Lesley Muir Address – Cleaning up in Sydney presented by Professor Peter Spearritt

Professor Peter Spearritt gave the inaugural Lesley Muir Address at the RAHS State History Conference held on 20 and 21 October at the Rowers on Cooks River at Wolli Creek. The theme of the conference was Saturated with Filth and Corruption: NSW History? Professor Spearrit opened his address by saying how it was ‘an honour to give an address in memory of Dr Lesley Muir, who did so much to bring the environmental history of the Canterbury Bankstown region to the notice of researchers and the local community.’

Begin your exploration of the 2016 RAHS Conference Program, Themes and Speakers by clicking on the images below.

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Pre-Conference Drinks and Book Launch - Scandal, Slander and Interfering with our Neighbours by Lorraine Neate

Friday 21st October @ 5:30pm

BlueScope Room, Wollongong Art Gallery - Corner Kembla and Burelli Streets, Wollongong

Conference delegates can attend a pre-conference event at the BlueScope Room, Wollongong Art Gallery. Lorraine Neate, President of Illawarra Historical Society, will launch her new publication Scandal, Slander and Interfering with our Neighbours – A story of femme fatales, moonshine, bushrangers and conmen; the scandalous and sometimes seamy side of early Illawarra history. 

Stories of individuals who are neither heroic nor influential will not usually appear in published local histories. Through Scandal, Slander and Interfering with our Neighbours we find prominence given to less well known residents of Illawarra in the 19th Century and further investigate their personal histories. 

The stories are drawn from court depositions, bankruptcy files, deceased estates, gaol records, convict records and more from State Records of NSW, and contemporary newspaper reports of accidents, injuries and local brawls. 

There are stories about rip off merchants, murderers, bushrangers, and even ex-convicts making good. Sometimes the 'Illawarra Gentry' became embroiled in these activities. However, the title came first: Edward Smith's diary makes note of a sermon delivered by Rev. Wilkinson at Wollongong in January 1834. The congregation was admonished to repent of 'Scandaling, Slandering and Interfering with Our Neighbours'. For Lorraine, it was to good to pass up.

Conference Tours

As well as pre-conference drinks, there will be opportunities to network with people who are committed to promoting local and community history and who enjoy sharing their successes and challenges with others. In addition, delegates can select to attend one of two organised tours on the Saturday afternoon. (Please note: To attend a tour you must be an attendee of the conference).

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The 2016 RAHS Conference will be held at Centro CBD - 28 Stewart Street, Wollongong NSW 2500

Phone: (02) 4225 3556
Submit an online enquiry to Centro CBD.
Website: www.centrocbd.com

Transport

For conference attendees arriving by car, Centro CBD has limited parking available on site. There are also two large parking stations adjoining the venue. If you are travelling to the conference by train, Centro CBD is approximately 15 minutes from Wollongong Station on foot (see map below).

The Wollongong City Council website provides useful public transport information for getting to and from the area. Other useful websites include Transport NSW TrainLink and Transport for NSW.

Accommodation

Conference attendees are responsible for booking their own accommodation. The following websites offer a range of accommodation options in the Wollongong area: wotif.com, trivago.com.au, hotelscombined.com.au, booking.com and lastminute.com.au. Accommodation information is also available on the visitwollongong website.

Explore the many things to do in and around the Illawarra area by clicking on an image below.

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There are many ways to enjoy yourself in and around the conference location, Wollongong. Explore the Things to See and Do section above and discover a range of sights, experiences and activities to suit all tastes. Members of the Royal Australian Historical Society can look forward to an overview of the conference in the December 2016 edition of History magazine.

Click on an image below to access various publications which highlight the Illawarra area.