RAHS Latest News
Call for Papers – To Fight and Win at Sea: 125 Years of Australian Naval History
To Fight and Win at Sea: 125 Years of Australian Naval History Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney 19–20 November 2026 In 1901, the Commonwealth Naval Force was formed, bringing together the separate colonial navies of Australia under one Commonwealth banner. The title ‘Royal Australian Navy’ was granted in 1911. In 2026, the Sea Power Centre – Australia (SPC-A) will examine 125 years of Australia’s navy history. Proposals are invited for 20-minute presentations that illuminate...
GLAMSLAM 2026
Register for GLAMSLAM 2026 GLAMSLAM 2026 – a day for those working in (and with) the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums sector – is returning on Thursday, 23rd April 2026. Please join us for this annual industry get-together, where we share our work, swap stories and discuss pressing issues in GLAM. This year, the Australian Centre for Public History, UTS, is delighted to be hosting GLAMSLAM in partnership with the Australian Museum. Event details When: Thursday, 23 April 2026, 9:00 am...
2026 Annual General Meeting Papers and Agenda
Community Heritage Grants 2026
What are the Community Heritage Grants? The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program supports community-based organisations to identify and care for Australian, moveable cultural heritage collections which are publicly accessible, locally held and nationally significant. How can we help The CHG supports small, local groups with limited funding and staffing resources, who would benefit from access to professional cultural heritage expertise. Grants of up to $20,000 are available to help...
Who Won the Battle of Beersheba, 1917?
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...
International Women’s Day at the Parramatta Female Factory
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 –...
Clothing of Australia’s Transported Convicts
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...
Ryde Railway Precinct
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...
Skippy’s Tragic Star
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...
History House Update: January 2026
History House Update: January 2026 Members and visitors may notice public signage relating to proposed basement works outside History House. These notices have been placed by the City of Sydney as part of the Development Application process. The application is now on public exhibition, with further details available online via the City of Sydney ePlanning website. Roof works The roof works are now almost complete, with a small amount of additional work scheduled to commence next week on the...
The Colleano Heart
Written by Zoe MacPherson, RAHS Volunteer The Colleano Heart is a new documentary that tells the story of Con Colleano and his world-famous family of travelling circus performers. Zoe McPherson reviewed the documentary for the RAHS. The Colleano Heart is a revelatory documentary on SBS/NITV that tells the story of the Colleano family and their international rise to fame as a circus act in the early twentieth century. The film follows the journey of their descendants as they retrace their...
Bathurst’s Nurses of the Great War 1914–1919
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...
RAHS Weekly News Round-Up