Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: Why the First Fleet was Such a Success Denis Smith explores the remarkable story behind the First Fleet’s voyage from Portsmouth in 1787. Denis will consider the careful planning that made it possible, the choice of Arthur Phillip to lead it, and why Botany Bay was chosen. The talk also sheds light on Lord Sydney’s role in shaping the expedition, including his selection of Arthur Phillip. Denis tackles some intriguing questions in this presentation: why...

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: Researching Local History using the State Archives Collection The NSW State Archives Collection documents the daily work of the NSW Government and its agencies from 1788 to the present day. This vast collection of records is an invaluable resource for local historians, from tracing the development of an area, through to its schools, buildings and local businesses, to recording key events that have impacted the community over time. Join Fiona Sullivan...

Parramatta District Historical Society presents: The History of Burnside Homes The Burnside Homes (Burnside Presbyterian Orphan Homes) in North Parramatta were established in 1911 by shipping magnate and philanthropist Sir James Burns. Burnside pioneered cottage care in Australia and was a functioning village, with 14 cottages, all grand in scale, its own farm, hospital and school. They were later transformed into a major family service agency. In this detailed presentation by Sheenal Singh,...

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: Mr Todd's Marvel by Adam Courtenay Adam Courtenay tells the inspiring story of Sir Charles Todd, the visionary astronomer and scientist who led the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line – one of Australia’s greatest engineering feats. Spanning thousands of kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin, it connected Australia to the rest of the world in 1872, transforming communication across the continent. The book describes Todd’s ambition, the hardships...

The Film Heritage Academy presents: A Tribute to Anna May Wong Join the Film Heritage Academy at History House for a screening of silent romantic drama, The Toll of the Sea (1922). Runtime: 80 minutes. The film stars Anna May Wong (Wong Liu Tsong), an acclaimed Chinese American film star of the silent and early sound eras in US and European classics such as The Thief of Bagdad, Peter Pan, Piccadilly, Pavement Butterfly, Song, and Shanghai Express. She carved out a four-decade career in film,...

Mosman Historical Society presents: Waltzing Mathilde by Rosalie Horner Rosalie Horner will tell the true story behind her well received historical novel Waltzing Mathilde: Letters to a Little Girl. The novel is a coming-of-age account of her grandmother Mathilde Plate’s loss, love and finding home. It is based on the 12-year-old Mathilde’s 1890 journey from Germany to Australia to live with her art dealer uncle and how she fared after she arrived in the often-violent nineteenth-century art...

Ku-ring-gai Historical Society presents: What Do We Know About Convict Women? Digital copies of historical records in Australia and the United Kingdom have opened new possibilities for research into convict Australia. Join Carol Liston AO at the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society on Saturday, 20 June 2026, to explore some of these newly available sources that help us to question traditional views of the 25,000 women convicts sent to Australia. Records of their crime and their circumstances in...