Kriesler radio display at Embassy Theatre (for “Radio Retailer”). Usherette demonstrates ‘Projectographic’ Kriesler radio, by Sam Hood, courtesy State Library of NSW

Careers in History:  Writing Histories

Featuring Dr Leah Lui Chivizhe (Chair), Professor Kate Fullagar and Dr Kiera Lindsey in conversation.

History is about more than studying the past, but telling its stories.

How do historians make sure their stories reach a wide audience?  How do we pen our words for different readers?

The HCNSW invited three historians to discuss the ways that they have written about and communicated their research to diverse audiences through writing. The panel discussed traditional and new methods and avenues for sharing history writing, and answered questions about how they work and what they advise for other writers of history.

Recorded via Zoom on  9 November 2023 (also available via the HCNSW Youtube site).

Annual History Lecture 2023

‘Understanding the Voice’, presented by Thomas Mayo

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 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.

Recorded at the North Parramatta Heritage Precinct, Western Sydney Startup Hub, 5 September 2023.

Annual History Lecture 2022, presented by Professor Bruce Pascoe

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 Dr 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.

Recorded on 28 October 2022 in Orange, on Waradjuri Country.

HCNSW Panel at Sydney Writers Festival – 18 May 2022

In Conversation with the Winners of the  2021 NSW Premiers’ History Awards

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. Despite distinct subjects, mediums and methods, this year’s winners are united in their forceful concern for the way Australia has been shaped by its ongoing history of colonisation.

Hosted by HSCNW Councillor Dr Matthew Allen.

Annual History Lecture 2019

Counter Currents – Aboriginal Men and Women at the Heart of Empire, presented by Professor John Maynard

In this Annual History Lecture, Professor John Maynard explores the significant and largely missed movement of Aboriginal people to Britain from the late eighteenth century through to the twenty first century. Through his lecture he analyses memory and location in an Aboriginal context, far removed from the Australian experience, providing an Indigenous perspective and insight about these journeys, asking the key questions – Why were they there?  What were the differences in experiences of these Aboriginal travelers?  Did they come home, and if so, what experiences, memories, observations and understandings did they bring back with them of the lands outside Australia?

The Annual History Lecture was recorded by the ABC Radio and broadcast nationally on Speaking Out on 3 November 2019, and can be listened to via the below podcast.

Recorded on 3 September 2019 at the Mint, Museums of History NSW, Sydney.

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