Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: Private Ryan and the Lost Peace Imagine the Great War ending as early as 1915. Imagine round-table negotiations finishing what seemed to be an unbreakable military stalemate. Were secret diplomatic deals prolonging the war? Had peace come in this way, perhaps there would have been no Communism, no Fascism, no Nazism, no Great Depression, and no Second World War. During the Great War, many urged such a peace. In Private Ryan and the Lost Peace...

Military History Society of NSW presents: The Australian Railway Companies of the Western Front, 1916–1918 Charles Bean mentions Australia’s railway units in perhaps half a dozen places in his Official History of Australians in the War of 1914–1918, and then mainly in footnotes. They were never part of Australia's initial offer to Britain in 1914. Yet by 1918, Australia had effectively deployed a railway regiment of about 1,500 soldiers operating in France. So how and why did they get there,...

Military History Society of NSW presents: Who Won the Battle of Beersheba, 1917? The Battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917 is generally known as a marvellous victory of the Australian Light Horse. However, most Australians are unaware that three British infantry divisions (53rd, 60th, and 74th) and a brigade from the 10th (Irish) Division took part in the battle. Not only were the British more numerous than the Australian Light Horse, but they also launched their attack first, crashing the...

Parramatta Female Factory Friends presents: International Women's Day 2026 Programme The Parramatta Female Factory Friends have crafted an exciting programme to celebrate International Women's Day. Come along for a lively discussion celebrating incredible women in Australia – it’s going to be inspiring and empowering. Programme: Friday, 6 March 2026 9:30 am: PFFF Rooms Open 10:00 am: Research Rooms Open 10:00 am: Guest Speaker Presentation: Australian Women of Note 11:15 am: Morning Tea –...

Parramatta Female Factory Friends presents: Clothing of Australia's Transported Convicts The early days of the convict colony were plagued by supply problems; clothing was in short supply for decades, as were skilled tailors and seamstresses. In this talk, Rosemary Rope will give an account of the supply issues and the basic outfits worn by male and female convicts. Reproductions of female clothes will be presented and available for close examination. Rosemary has relied on historical records...

Mosman Historical Society presents: Ryde Railway Precinct by Stephen Palmer Stephen Palmer will speak about his ongoing research on the history of the Ryde Railway Precinct. Three significant elements of Sydney's infrastructure met at the Ryde Railway Precinct: the northern railway line to Newcastle and beyond; the Ryde Pumping Station supplying water to Sydney's northern suburbs, and, until 1936, a connection to the tramway system. Stephen will describe how he is comparing photographic images...

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: Skippy's Tragic Star by Peter Hobbins What does a helicopter crash have to do with Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, filmed in Ku-ring-gai National Park? Find out on Saturday, 21 March 2026, when Peter Hobbins presents Skippy’s Tragic Star. Just days before Christmas in 1966, a helicopter plummeted into downtown Sydney, killing everyone on board. But what made this disaster truly chilling is that the ABC film crew inside recorded their own final moments, while...