Episodes
-
Send us a text
This lecture is the first online offering of the 2024 First Nations Stories Series, facilitated by the History Council of New South Wales' Project Officer for First Nations' Histories. For more information about the HCNSW First Nations programs, please see our website: https://historycouncilnsw.org.au/abou...
"History and Memory: Oral Histories and the Science of the Dreaming
The power of recall in oral societies is phenomenal … but many scientists have only just started to understand this and think about its implications. In Australia, some of the stories that have been told longest are about ocean rise after the last ice age and the effects of volcanic eruptions, both topics which are covered in this talk.
Geologist and climate scientist, Patrick Nunn, Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, has written extensively about how many ‘myths and legends’ are not fictions but culturally-filtered memories."
Many thanks for Patrick for sharing his work and his insights. For more information about Patrick's work, see his website: https://patricknunn.org/
*** *** ***
Credits:
- Music by licence with Canva: Ecg, Blackout Memories.
- Red dirt background by licence with Canva.
- All images and text in lecture slides supplied by Patrick Nunn.
*** *** ***
HCNSW Cultural Partners:
City of Sydney
Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts
Museums of History NSW
National Archives of Australia
Placemaking NSW
Reserve Bank of Australia
State Library of New South Wales
University of New England
University of Newcastle, School of HCISS
University of New South Wales, School of History & Philosophy
University of Technology Sydney, Australian Centre for Public History
The History Council of NSW is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
In this panel, staged by the History Council of NSW at the 2024 Sydney Writers Festival, three award-winning Australian historians discuss the dual art of crafting histories and captivating narratives for diverse audiences.
Our authors, Dr Margaret Cook, Dr Shannyn Palmer and Nicole Cama, explore the dynamics of writing and presenting histories that respond to questions and ideas with relevance to national or local interest, as well as seeking to tell stories that resonate with larger audiences. Chaired by A/Prof Jan Láníček, the authors delve into the nuanced artistry required to bridge the gap between academic excellence and accessibility.
Our esteemed panelists share insights into their approaches, discussing the challenges of balancing scholarly integrity with storytelling prowess. They explore strategies for making complex historical contexts accessible without oversimplification and maintaining authenticity while appealing to diverse reader interests.Panelists:
Dr. Margaret Cook
As an historian, Margaret Cook is fascinated by water and its interaction with humans, animals and the environment over time. She writes about climate-related disasters with a particular focus on rivers and floods and is the author of A River with a City Problem: A History of Brisbane Floods. Margaret is a Research Fellow at the Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University and La Trobe University.
Dr. Shannyn Palmer
Shannyn Palmer is a community-engaged practitioner, cultural consultant and award-winning writer. She works with cultural institutions and communities to facilitate ethical community engaged practice and enable meaningful intercultural collaborations. She is particularly interested in community engaged practice as a methodology for disrupting settler colonial systems and knowledge. She has a PhD in History from the Australian National University and her first book, Unmaking Angas Downs: Myth and History on a Central Australian Pastoral Station, won the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Australian History and the 2023 Northern Territory Chief Minister’s History Book Award.
Nicole Cama
Nicole Cama is an historian with the City of Sydney Council with experience in museums, heritage and public history. Her work has been published across a range of platforms including radio, websites, print publications, social media, mobile applications and exhibition displays. In 2023, she was awarded the History Council of NSW’s Macquarie University-PHA Applied History Award for her work, ‘Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst’, a digital history project mapping the people and places of the street from the 1840s to the 1940s using the City of Sydney Archives, produced for the Australian Centre for Public History, University of Technology Sydney.
Chair: Associate Professor Jan Láníček
Jan Láníček is Associate Professor in Modern European and Jewish History at UNSW Sydney. He received a PhD from the University of Southampton in Britain in 2011 and has published widely on the history of the Holocaust and Central Europe. He is currently completing a study of post-Holocaust judicial retribution in Czechoslovakia and also researches Jewish migration to Australia before World War II. Jan is also a member of the General Council of the History Council of New South Wales.
Thanks to the Sydney Writers Festival for enabling our participation in the festival, the State Library of NSW for providing the venue and audio recording services, and the NSW Government, through Create NSW for their funding support.
Music: Inspiring Classical by PineAppleMusic. License purchased from AudioJungle.Support the Show.
-
Episodes manquant?
-
Send us a text
Historians Professor Catharine Coleborne and Dr James Dunk discuss the depth of historical writing about mental illness in Australia and reflect on its resonance in the present moment; how can we write the history of mental health now?
Chair: Dr Effie KarageorgosThis event is held in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s Future of Madness Network.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Reflecting on the enduring spirit of Aboriginal activism, today's episode is an homage to both the ancestors who fought for justice and the scholars like Emeritus Professor Lyndall Ryan who have chronicled their struggles. Coordinated by Jessie Adam-Stein and chaired by Dr. Cara Cross, this panel event from the History Now 2024 series, co-hosted with the History Council of New South Wales and the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS, dives into the depths of Aboriginal political histories. We pay our respects to the traditional landowners and explore how their political contributions have shaped our understanding of Australia's past and present, with a special acknowledgment of Emeritus Professor John Maynard's pioneering work.
The heart of our discussion beats to the rhythm of early 20th-century Aboriginal activism, where a gathering in Kempsey marked a turning point in the fight for equality. The voices of over 700 Aboriginal people and the manifesto of the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA) resonate through time, as we recount their brave stance against oppression and the lasting impact of their actions—even through the Great Depression. Stories of personal sacrifice, like that of my grandfather, intertwine with these historical narratives, painting a rich tapestry of Aboriginal resilience and unyielding quest for justice.
As we close, the focus shifts to the fragmented journey of land restitution and the growth of Indigenous resistance that has radically influenced Australian politics. We remember the warriors like Windradyne and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, leading up to the historic Aboriginal Land Rights Act Northern Territory of 1976, as milestones in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. These stories are not just history; they are the foundation upon which our ongoing struggle for rights and recognition is built, and they continue to inspire action and reflection in our shared journey towards a just future.Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Featuring Dr Hannah Forsyth & Dr Sophie Loy-Wilson.
Chair: Dr Mike Beggs. Series curated by Dr Jesse Adams Stein.
Hannah Forsyth and Sophie Loy-Wilson discuss the ways in which historicising capitalism is changing our approach to history in Australia.
History Now seminars explore current and compelling issues affecting the practice of contemporary history. It is a long-running series of public talks and discussions, bringing new perspectives to all aspects of historical practice. This year History Now is a collaboration between the History Council of NSW (HCNSW), the State Library of NSW and the Australian Centre for Public History (ACPH) at UTS.Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Professor Alison Bashford and Dr Jarrod Hore,
Chair: Dr Frances FlanaganAlison Bashford and Jarrod Hore reflect on New Earth Histories and how the history of geosciences and different world cosmologies can be brought together.
History Now seminars explore current and compelling issues affecting the practice of contemporary history. It is a long-running series of public talks and discussions, bringing new perspectives to all aspects of historical practice.
In 2024, the series, curated and directed by Dr Jesse Adams Stein, is a partnership event between the History Council of NSW, the Australian Centre for Public History (UTS) and the State Library of NSW.
The History Council of NSW is supported by the NSW Government via a grant from Create NSW.Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Welcome to the recorded version of the History Council of New South Wales’ ‘Writing Histories’ panel, recorded via zoom on the 9th of November 2023.
History isn't just about dusty old books and dates, it's about sharing the tales of our past with the world. But how do historians make sure their stories reach a wide audience? How do we pen our words for different readers? The HCNSW called on some of the brightest minds in history to share about how they've shared their research with a variety of audiences, inspired by their recently published books. Our panel will chat about both classic and cutting-edge ways to spread the word about historical events, people and themes, while also dishing out advice for other writers who want to carve their own paths.
City of Sydney Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts Museums of History NSW National Archives of Australia Placemaking NSW Reserve Bank of Australia State Library of New South Wales University of New England University of Newcastle, School of HCISS University of New South Wales, School of History & Philosophy University of Technology Sydney, Australian Centre for Public History
The History Council of New South Wales extends sincere thanks to Dr. Leah Lui-Chivizhe, Dr. Kiera Lindsey, and Professor Kate Fullagar for their time and expertise. Thanks to the many people who attended, for your questions, and to the many more who have just tuned in now. The History Council is supported by funding from Create New South Wales, and by our members. Find out more about becoming a member of the History Council of New South Wales on our website, historycouncilnsw.org.au . We also thank our cultural partners:
The HCNSW acknowledges Aboriginal nations and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Peoples of Australia. We thank them for their custodianship of these lands and waters and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
***
Music credit: Ecg by Blackout Memories, licensed via Canva, 2023.Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
The Annual History Lecture is an event produced & presented by the History Council of New South Wales every year, which aims to engage and educate the community about the vitality, diversity and meaning of history and its practice through the eyes of historians and others prominent in public history.
In 2023, the Annual History Lecture was be presented by Thomas Mayo, Uluru Statement from the Heart signatory and Voice to Parliament campaigner.
At the current moment in history, a Voice for First Nations peoples is front and centre for all Australians in a referendum that will be held later in the year.
Our theme for History Week 2023, ‘Voices from the Past’, invited History Council members to explore how we listen for voices in the historical record and amplify the voices of storytellers.
In the Annual History Lecture, following this theme, Thomas discussed the history and significance of the Voice to Parliament. Thomas spoke about the long journey to this constitutional moment today, when all Australians will face a unique opportunity to answer the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Winners of the 2022 NSW Premier’s History Awards gather to reveal how they make history, their inspirations, and the impact they hope their work will have. Despite distinct subjects, mediums and methods, these winners are united in their histories telling Australian communities and cultures have been shaped by colonisation. Following their presentations, there will be an opportunity for the audience to pose questions. Chaired by Emeritus Professor Grace Karskens, UNSW.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
In this fascinating talk, Professor Bruce Pascoe interrogates the idea of Australian history pre-contact. Mary McLean from the Orange Aboriginal Land Council gives the Welcome to Country while Professor Stephen Gapps provides introductions. This event was recorded in Orange, Wiradjuri Country on the 28th October for the History Council of NSW's Annual History Lecture series.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Sydney Writers' Festival and the History Council of NSW present this panel discussion where three winners of the 2021 NSW Premier's History Awards - Laurence Billiet, Matthew Colloff and Luke Keogh, gather in person to reveal how they make history, their inspirations and the impact they hope their work will have. Hosted by Dr Matthew Allen, HCNSW Councillor, this event includes a short Q&A at the conclusion of the session.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Sydney Writers' Festival and the History Council of NSW present this panel discussion where three winners of the 2021 NSW Premier's History Awards - Laurence Billiet, Matthew Colloff and Luke Keogh, gather in person to reveal how they make history, their inspirations and the impact they hope their work will have. Hosted by Dr Matthew Allen, HCNSW Councillor, this event includes a short Q&A at the conclusion of the session.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Sydney Writers' Festival and the History Council of NSW present this panel discussion where three winners of the 2021 NSW Premier's History Awards - Laurence Billiet, Matthew Colloff and Luke Keogh, gather in person to reveal how they make history, their inspirations and the impact they hope their work will have. Hosted by Dr Matthew Allen, HCNSW Councillor, this event includes a short Q&A at the conclusion of the session.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Kate Fullagar is a Professor of History at the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University.
She is also an honorary professor of history at Macquarie University and currently co-editor of the Australian Historical Association’s journal, History Australia. Kate specializes in the history of the eighteenth-century world, particularly the British Empire and the many indigenous societies it encountered.
THE WARRIOR, THE VOYAGER, AND THE ARTIST
Three interconnected eighteenth-century lives offer a fresh account of the British empire and its intrusion into Indigenous societies. This engaging history brings together the stories of Joshua Reynolds and two Indigenous men, the Cherokee Ostenaco and the Ra‘iatean Mai.
She delves into the story of Mai, examining his confrontation with conquest and displacement, his voyage to London on Cook’s imperial expedition, and his return home with a burning ambition to right past wrongs.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Born in a French military family, Pierre-Jacques Ober broke with family traditions by preferring philosophy to war. In the last 25 years, he has thrown himself into numerous adventures as an independent filmmaker. Working in partnership with photographer Jules Ober, he now focuses on the creation of books using a unique story-telling device – photographs of figurines in miniature sets.
THE GOOD SONA Story from the First World War, Told in Miniature.
A young WWI soldier’s unauthorized visit home has dire consequences in a haunting story reimagined in miniature tableaux.
Illustrated by Felicity Coonan and Jules Ober.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
Noëlle Janaczewska is a playwright, poet, essayist and the author of The Book of Thistles (UWA Publishing)—part environmental history, part poetry, part unconventional memoir. She is the recipient of multiple awards, fellowships and residencies, including the 2020 NSW Premier’s Digital History Prize, a Queensland Premier’s Literary Award, the Griffin Award, ten AWGIE (Australian Writers’ Guild Industry Excellence) Awards and a Windham-Campbell Prize from Yale University for her body of work as a dramatist.
EXPERIENCE STHave you ever wondered what life in early Sydney was really like? Writer Noëlle Janaczewska visits Experiment Street in the harbour suburb of Pyrmont where she delves into the Sydney City Archives.
Albeit there numerous mentions of ‘Experience St’, Noëlle introduces you to seamstress Lizzie Absalom, a fictional resident of Experiment Street in the early 1900s, where she adds her colourful recollections to the ‘official’ records.
Support the Show.
-
Send us a text
James Dunk lives and writes in Wangal country in Sydney’s inner west.
He works as a historian at the University of Sydney, where he lectures in Australian history and the history of medicine, and he is a conjoint fellow at the University of Newcastle.
His research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Rethinking History, History Australia, and Health and History and his literary reviews and essays have appeared in various magazines and journals.
BEDLAM AT BOTANYHis first book, Bedlam at Botany Bay, won the Australian History Prize at the New South Wales Premier’s History Awards 2020 and was also shortlisted for the University of Queensland Non-Fiction Book Award, Ernest Scott Prize and the Kay Daniels Award.
Stories of madness are woven together into a narrative about freedom and possibilities, unravelling and collapse. Bedlam at Botany Bay looks at people who found themselves not only at the edge of the world but at the edge of sanity. It shows their worlds colliding.
Support the Show.
- Montre plus
