Send us a text This conversation is part of the HCNSW podcast series "First Nations Conversations" that looks at First Nations histories of resilience, survival, and resistance. This episode of "First Nations Conversations" is the recording of the 2025 History Week panel “Living Histories: First Nations Creatives and Researchers in Conversation” which was presented at the Vere Gordon Childe Centre at the University of Sydney, in partnership with the History Council of NSW and the Powerf...

Send us a text Dr Aunty Rhonda Radley joins Jadzia Stronell to share her journey in language revitalisation, community work, education, and healing. She reflects on truth-telling around the Blackmans Point massacre, the responsibilities of academic engagement with Aboriginal histories, and speaks on her own stories of resilience. Known in the community as Dr Aunty Rhonda Radley (Anjilkurri), a proud Birrbay/Dhanggati woman. She has 40 years’ experience working with Aboriginal people in educat...

Send us a text Australian migration stories have tended to represent specific experiences of coming to Australia over our relatively short national history. But what does rethinking stories about mobility to, from, and within Australia offer historians and fellow story tellers? Leading historians Dr Sophie Loy-Wilson, Dr Yves Rees, and Dr Peter Hobbins will discuss overlooked narratives to challenge traditional views of what migration means for Australian history. By connecting past and prese...

Send us a text Now, more than ever before, we seem more willing to acknowledge difficult histories in our family trees. At the same time, historians are increasingly writing about colonial violence and challenging long-held myths. What impact is this having on how we see Australia’s past, as well as our own? John Maynard, Mark Dunn, Stephen Gapps, and Kate Grenville speak with Julie McIntyre about their experiences of encountering dark moments in their research and how they've dea...

Send us a textThe 2024 History Council of New South Wales Annual History Lecture was given by Professor Frank Bongiorno, professor of history at Australian National University. First held in 1996, the Annual History Lecture was inaugurated by the HCNSW to underline the importance of history to current issues and concerns. The lectures are original works that constitute a significant contribution to historical knowledge.The title of the 2024 lecture is Making Their Political Mark: How have Aus...

Send us a text5 Years on from COVID-19: lessons from past health crises and the future of global healthJoin an engaging discussion with our distinguished panel of public health and virology experts, who explore enduring infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and mpox, five years after the discovery of COVID-19. This episode highlights how pandemics have historically reshaped our world and demonstrates the transformative impact of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing global heal...

Send us a textLorena Allam, Dirk Moses and Ümit Kurt reflect on what can be learned from histories of genocide, and locate their discussion between journalism, history and processes of truth-telling.This History Now session, chaired by Associate Professor Nancy Cushing, is a compelling exploration of truth-telling and genocide, featuring insights from award-winning journalist Lorena Allam, and renowned genocide scholars Dr Umut Kurt and Professor Dirk Moses. What responsibilities do his...

Send us a textCan crime narratives truly be told without causing harm or voyeurism? Join us for a compelling discussion as we bring together the insights of Dr. Meg Foster and Dr. Rachel Franks, led by chair, Nerida Campbell. With their extensive expertise in crime-related history and collections, we navigate the ethical tightrope historians must walk when recounting crime stories. Learn how these experts balance the need for intellectual integrity with the empathy and respect owed to those w...

Send us a textIn this episode of History Now, Emily O’Gorman and Taylor Coyne reflect on how history can be understood and written from more-than-human perspectives. 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 Stat...

Send us a textIn this episode of History Now, Livia Rezende and Isabel Rousset explore the ways in which international exchange and transcultural connections inform design and visual histories.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...

Send us a textThis 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 DreamingThe power of recall in oral societies is phenomenal … but many scientists have only just started to unders...

Send us a textIn 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 ...

Send us a textHistorians 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 textReflecting 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 po...

Send us a textFeaturing 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 histor...

Send us a textProfessor 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,...

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Send us a textWelcome 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 resea...

Send us a textThe 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,...

Send us a textWinners 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 th...