The 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 to identify what was worn, common clothing styles, and fabrics. In her book, Female Convict Threads (2025), Rosemary explains how to make an outfit.

Edward C. Close, ‘The costume of the Australasians’, c. 1817 (Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW)

About the speaker

Rosemary is a researcher and author. She is a descendant of First Fleeters, Anthony Rope and Elizabeth Pulley. Their son Robert picked up his wife, Esther Gamble, at the Parramatta Female Factory in 1812. Rosemary is Chair of the Rope-Pulley Family Heritage Association.

Event Details

When: Friday, 20 February at 1.30 pm.

Where: Parramatta Female Factory, 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta.

Bookings: https://bit.ly/australianconvictclothing

Cost: $5 (plus booking surcharge). Places are limited, so please book early.

For more information, visit https://www.parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au or email contact@parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au

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 with documentary sources to interpret the precinct in its changing historical context.

Ryde Railway Station, First and Second Ryde Pumping Stations, c. 1923–1926 (State Library of NSW)

About the speaker

Stephen Palmer is a Certified Practising Accountant and worked for 37 years in the financial services industry. After retiring from financial services in 2014, he studied history and conservation management as a mature-age student at the University of New England, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 2023. Stephen has over 30 years’ experience volunteering in the NSW railway heritage sector. He is a life member of the Lachlan Valley Railway Society, for which he is the Archives Officer and Volunteer Historian at Cowra Locomotive Depot.

Event Details

When: Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 7.00 pm. Please arrive promptly.

Where: Mosman Library, 605 Military Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.

RSVP: Contact David Carment at davidcarment@me.com by Monday, 9 February 2026.

Admission: Members Free | Visitors $5 donation.

Please join members of the Mosman Historical Society for refreshments and a chat following the talk.

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 another crew on the Harbour captured the disaster unfolding.

The footage stunned the world, and Australian aviation changed forever. And somehow, Skippy is tangled up in this story.

Join Dr Peter Hobbins, historian, curator, and expert in all things disastrous – from pandemics to shipwrecks to aviation catastrophes – as he unpacks this gripping true story. Expect twists, jaw-dropping details, and the kind of history lesson you won’t soon forget.

Free entry, no booking required. You are welcome to stay for refreshments and a chat following the presentation.

About the speaker

Dr Peter Hobbins is a historian and curator at the State Library of New South Wales. He specialises in what happens when science, technology and medicine go wrong – including snakebites, pandemics, shipwrecks and aviation accidents.

Event details

Join us in Gordon Library Meeting Room 1 at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 21 March 2026.

The meeting room is in the Old Gordon Public School, adjoining the library, 799 Pacific Hwy, Gordon (corner Pacific Hwy and Park Ave).

It’s just a 5-minute walk from Gordon station. For a map and parking information, see www.khs.org.au/contact-us

In case of any last-minute changes, and for more information on our forthcoming talks, please check our website, www.khs.org.au/events

Bathurst’s Nurses of the Great War 1914–1919

Bathurst’s Nurses of the Great War 1914–1919 details the contributions of 26 nurses born in the Bathurst District, offering insight into their backgrounds, training, wartime service, and post-war lives, and demonstrating their resilience and dedication. It includes sections on Australian nurses’ service, uniforms, equipment, hospitals, medals, and individual biographies.

Key highlights include:

• The book profiles 26 nurses born in the Bathurst District, detailing their upbringing, training, wartime service, and post-war contributions.
• Descriptions of the uniforms and equipment used by the nurses, including variations and adaptations made during the war.
• Detailed descriptions of the medals awarded to these nurses, such as the Royal Red Cross, Florence Nightingale Medal, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

Written by local historian Andrew Fletcher, the book serves as a comprehensive reference to honour the contributions and sacrifices of these courageous women from the Bathurst District during the Great War, emphasising their resilience, the challenges they faced, and their significant contributions to military and civilian healthcare during and after the war.

The book features a foreword by local serving Army Medical Corps member, Major Sarah Patterson.

Available from the Bathurst District Historical Society Museum.

Contact: info@bathursthistory.org.au

This project was supported by the Create NSW Cultural Grants Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.

The Randwick District Historical Society presents:

The Federation House Revealed: How it Really Came to Be

Join Mark Sabolch for a free history talk exploring the origins of the Federation period house in Sydney.

As Australia looks ahead to the 125th anniversary of Federation in 2026, this is the perfect time to rediscover the charm and significance of the Federation house – a defining feature of our national heritage. These much-loved homes are more than beautiful architecture; they are living reminders of a moment when Australia was shaping its identity.

Come along for an illustrated talk that explores the origins of the Federation period house in Sydney and traces its evolution from the ornate Victorian Italianate style. Learn how the social and cultural changes of the 1890s helped create a uniquely Australian architectural expression.

Art critic and former Glebe resident Bernard Smith first coined the term ‘Federation’ to describe this style, replacing the misleading ‘Queen Anne’. His insight helped redefine how Australians saw their own built environment and their place in history.

About the speaker

Mark Sabolch is a member of the Ashfield and District Historical Society and author of Hawthorne Canal: The History of Long Cove Creek. Recently, Mark has been researching the origins of the architectural house styles prevalent in Sydney’s inner west.

Event Details

When: Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 1.00 pm.

Where: Lionel Bowen Library, 669-673 Anzac Parade, Maroubra, NSW 2035.

Admission: Free. Bookings are essential. Book online.

For more information: randwickhistory@outlook.com

Presented by the Randwick District Historical Society in collaboration with Randwick City Library.

Mosman Historical Society presents:

Intrepid Explorer Matthew Flinders by Paul Brunton OAM

The State Library of NSW recently acquired a very rare collection of letters and documents relating to the life of explorer and cartographer Captain Matthew Flinders (1774–1814). The collection came from Flinders’ descendants and includes original handwritten love letters as well as correspondence with family and friends, business documents, invoices from the HMS Investigator voyage around Australia between 1801 and 1803, his will and funeral papers. Paul Brunton OAM will provide a fascinating context for this archive as he discusses Flinders and his pivotal voyage of exploration.

Matthew Flinders, ca. 1800 – watercolour miniature portrait (State Library of NSW)

About the speaker

Paul Brunton OAM is Emeritus Curator at the State Library of New South Wales, where he was Curator of Manuscripts and Senior Curator. He curated an exhibition on Flinders in 2001. Among his books is Matthew Flinders: Personal Letters from an Extraordinary Life (2002).

Event Details

When: Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 7.00 pm. Please arrive promptly.

Where: Mosman Library, 605 Military Rd, Mosman NSW 2088.

RSVP: Contact David Carment at davidcarment@me.com by Monday, 9 February 2026.

Admission: Members Free | Visitors $5 donation.

Please join members of the Mosman Historical Society for refreshments and a chat following the talk.

Welcome to Our New Affiliated Societies Blog

This new blog is part of a wider initiative to support conversation, shared learning, and collaboration across the RAHS affiliated societies network. The idea grew out of our recent Affiliated Societies Survey, which highlighted how valuable it is for societies to exchange practical advice and hear how others approach similar challenges.

The strength of this network was evident during the Collections and Community: Trove and NSW Historical Societies seminar, our recent hybrid seminar at History House, which brought together more than 60 people from historical societies across NSW. The discussion and examples shared on the day helped us update the Session B handouts to reflect real situations faced by our affiliated societies.

DOWNLOAD SESSION HANDOUT

The Session B handout includes contributions from:

• Leonie Bell, Botany Bay Family History Society – YouTube for History Societies
• Suzanne Holohan, RAHS – Discussion on RAHS Affiliated Societies Survey Results
• Phillip Jaworski, RAHS – Advertising with the RAHS
• Lorraine Neate, Illawarra Historical Society – Setting Up Tap-and-Pay Systems
• Discussion Summary – Choosing a Mobile Phone for Your Society

Each section offers practical guidance on topics many societies are navigating, from creating simple videos and promoting events to understanding insurance, using a tap-and-pay system, and deciding whether your group needs a dedicated phone. These resources are designed to support committees in a changing environment, including the move toward cashless payments and increased reliance on digital communication.

Between events, this blog will be a place to share ideas, ask questions and highlight issues that matter to your society. We also welcome suggestions for a better blog name. If you have a title that captures the spirit of conversation and collaboration across our network, we would be pleased to hear it.

We look forward to building this space with you.

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents:

A History of the Greengate Hotel by Mark Dunn

On Saturday, 21 February 2026, after the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society General Meeting, Mark Dunn will present A History of the Greengate Hotel.

A true North Shore landmark, the Greengate Hotel is one of Sydney’s oldest continuously operating hotels. It brings together a rich history with enduring charm, making it a fitting focus for our February 2026 guest speaker at Ku-ring-gai Historical Society!

In his book, The Greengate Hotel: A Social and Development History (BBS Holdings, 2024), Mark Dunn has crafted a compelling and thoroughly researched account of Greengate’s history, exploring its beginnings in 1832 and the many changes that have resulted in the hotel we know and love today.

About the speaker

Dr Mark Dunn is a public historian with more than 30 years of experience in Sydney’s history, heritage and archaeology. He has completed a Master’s in Applied History and a PhD in the history of colonial race and class relations in the NSW convict colony. His book, The Convict Valley (Allen & Unwin, 2020), was shortlisted for the Australian Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Australian History. He is an Executive Member of the RAHS Council, was the chair of the Professional Historians Association (NSW & ACT), a member of the NSW Heritage Council, and a previous president of the History Council of NSW. He has also acted as a consultant for the TV program Who Do You Think You Are? Australia.

Event details

Join us in Gordon Library Meeting Room 1 at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 21 February 2026.

The meeting room is in the Old Gordon Public School, adjoining the library, 799 Pacific Hwy, Gordon (corner Pacific Hwy and Park Ave).

It’s just a 5-minute walk from Gordon Station. For a map and parking information, see www.khs.org.au/contact-us

There is no charge to attend. Finishing time is approximately 3:30 pm, and you are welcome to stay for refreshments and a chat following the presentation.

In case of any last-minute changes, and for more information on our forthcoming talks, please check our website, www.khs.org.au/events

Kiama Historical Society presents:

Celebrating History, Defending Heritage by Tony Gilmour

The Kiama and District Historical Society was established in 1975, so come along and celebrate at our 50th birthday party!

Tony Gilmour will launch his new book Celebrating History, Defending Heritage: fifty years of Kiama Historical Society. The book brings to life why the Society was established and how it fought hard to win control of the Pilot’s Cottage which was threatened with demolition or being turned into a fast-food takeaway.

The Society has long fought to protect the heritage of Kiama and surrounding areas, defending our built and natural environment. We have had many successes, sometimes by working behind the scenes and other times protesting loudly.

Hear how the Society has brought history to life, from fashion parades to costumed re-enactments. And after 50 years, we remain one of the largest and most vibrant voluntary organisations on the NSW south coast.

Event Details

When: Saturday, 22 November 2025 at 2.00 pm.

Where: Kiama Library Auditorium, 11 Railway Parade, Kiama NSW.

Admission: Members $3 | Non-members $5. Includes afternoon tea and a celebratory glass of wine.

RSVP: kiamahistory@outlook.com

About the book

Celebrating History, Defending Heritage tells the story of the Kiama Historical Society and how it has brought to life fascinating stories from the area’s past over the last fifty years. It has battled to preserve valuable local heritage against demolition and insensitive development. Read all about Kiama’s legendary figures the Society has helped rediscover, such as progressive writer and colourful character Charmian Clift and legendary Hollywood multi-Oscar winner Orry-Kelly. The book is available from the Kiama Historical Society for $25 + delivery. All profits go to the Kiama Historical Society.

Parramatta and District Historical Society presents:

The Last Outlaws by Katherine Biber

In the winter of 1900, Wiradjuri man Jimmy Governor and his brother Joe murdered nine people across New South Wales, in a rampage that caused panic in the colony on the cusp of nationhood. Triggered, it seems, by a racist incident, they killed men, women and children, evading a vast manhunt until they were eventually captured. Joe was shot in the open; Jimmy survived to be put on trial. Thus, the last man to be outlawed in the colony was hanged in the new nation, meeting his end in Darlinghurst Gaol as the Federation decorations were taken down. The brothers’ names still resonate, partly due to Thomas Keneally’s novel The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith and Fred Schepisi’s subsequent film.

Katherine Biber’s compelling reconstruction of events – from the murders themselves to Jimmy’s eventual execution – brings this extraordinary story back to life. In doing so, it sheds fresh, vivid light on the country that inspired and reacted to the murders.

About the speaker

Katherine Biber is a historian, criminologist, legal scholar, and Professor of Law at the University of Technology Sydney. Her podcast trilogy, The Last Outlaws, won numerous awards, including the NSW Premier’s History Award and Podcast of the Year at the Australian Podcast Awards. Her book, also titled The Last Outlaws, was published in July 2025.

Event Details

When: Monday, 17 November at 7.30 pm.

Where: Burnside Gardens Community Centre, 3 Blackwood Place, Oatlands NSW.

Admission: The presentation is free and will be followed by supper. Visitors are very welcome.

Enquiries: Email Jeff Allen at jallen6@bigpond.net.au

Mosman Historical Society presents:

Sydney Whale Tales by Nancy Cushing

Nancy Cushing will explain that while whales literally have only a passing association with Sydney, they have captured the attention of residents for millennia, as can be seen in the rock carvings of whales along the coast. Her talk will focus on the interest in whales both before and after Federation and how it was driven by scientific enquiry, economic motives and curiosity about these ‘monster fish’.

H. Grant Lloyd (attributed), Whaling Station, Mosmans Bay, n.d. (State Library of NSW).

About the speaker

Nancy Cushing is Associate Professor of History at the University of Newcastle. An environmental historian whose interests range from coal mining to statues, she is the 2024–25 Coral Thomas Fellow at the State Library of NSW, where she is working on the entwined histories of humans and other animals in Sydney.

Event Details

When: Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 7.00 pm. Please arrive promptly.

Where: Mosman Library, 605 Military Rd, Mosman NSW.

Admission: Members Free | Visitors $5 donation.

RSVP: Email David Carment davidcarment@me.com by Monday, 10 November.

Please join members of the Mosman Historical Society for refreshments and a chat following the talk.