The Digitisation of Sir John Monash’s Personal Papers
The National Library of Australia has digitised the Personal Papers of Sir John Monash, which are now freely available online through Trove. Amongst the collection, which includes his Gallipoli diaries, you will find various ephemera that Monash collected during his lifetime, including: correspondence, diaries, notebooks, drafts of manuscripts, press cuttings, pamphlets, souvenirs, printed items, photographs, glass slides and other memorabilia relating to all aspects of his life and career. Sir John Monash (1865-1931) was a leading military figure in the … Read More
History of Liverpool in 60 Objects
A new online exhibition curated by the Liverpool and District Historical Society tells the History of Liverpool in 60 Objects. The exhibition, which chronicles the social development of Liverpool, was inspired by the British Museum’s History of the World in 100 Objects and motivated by the recent celebration of the Society’s 60th birthday in 2019. “One of the challenges in curating the 60 items was the strength of our collection”, says Glen op den Brouw, President of the Liverpool and … Read More
Public Monuments – Contested Histories
History Council of Victoria: Making Public Histories Seminar Series Societies have always used statues and other monuments as ways of both recognising and contesting power and eminence. In Australia, as everywhere else, there is public debate over whether and which statues should be removed, who should make the decision, and what should be the fate of the statues themselves. Should new monuments be commissioned alongside or to replace them? Recent actions in Australia to remove, replace or protect statues and … Read More
‘This is the ABC’
Written by RAHS volunteer Elizabeth Heffernan On Friday, 1 July 1932, after the 8pm bells of Sydney’s General Post Office, Conrad Charlton announced to the country: “This is the Australian Broadcasting Commission.” [1] It was the ABC’s first wireless radio broadcast after the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act 1932 was passed on 17 May. The transmission is estimated to have reached 6% of the country’s population at the time—almost 400 000 people from as far away as Perth. [2] The leaders … Read More
History Week 2020 – History: What is it good for?
Registrations are now open for History Week 2020 and close at 5pm on Monday, 27 July 2020 – Online & In-person History Week is the annual, state-wide celebration of history organised by the History Council of New South Wales. This is your opportunity to share your latest passion, a long term project or research that has moved you. Involve your local community in histories that matter through History Week 2020. What is the theme of History Week 2020? The theme of … Read More
Bungaree, Burigon and Aboriginal Newcastle
State Library of New South Wales: Scholar Talk During the years of the convict penal station at Newcastle (1804–23) Aboriginal people continued to live in and around the outpost, coming and going at will. Their presence was used by the colonial authorities as one form of unofficial control over the convicts, with guides and trackers in constant use to catch bolting convicts. They were also considered, on some levels, to be friends and comrades by the various commandants who ruled over … Read More
NSW Government Supports Our Diverse and Rich Local History, One of Our State’s Greatest Assets
23 June 2020 Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) President Christine Yeats announced today that ten local history projects will receive funding from the Small Grants Program for Local History and Archives. This grants program is administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government through the Heritage Council of NSW. ‘History matters and it doesn’t have to be history on a global or national scale to be important. Focusing on history from the ‘ground up’ is … Read More