Recordings of Our Guest Speakers
2024
November Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 5 November 2024
The Australian Horse at War
A presentation on the horses that arrived in Australia on the First Fleet and the role they played in the social world of settler colonists and the wider economy and as its 110th anniversary approaches, a focus on Australian horses in the First World War and beyond, shifting the focus from the human to equine perspective and exploring what war meant for horses.
October Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 1 September 2024
50 years of the University of Newcastle’s Open Foundation Program
Dr Rosalie Bunn traces the origin and development of the Open Foundation Program at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia which is celebrating 50 years of existence.
September Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 3 September 2024
Rod Noble – History of Newcastle Trades Hall Council.
August Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 6 August 2024
Picturing Watt Street
A look at Newcastle’s Old Town through paintings, photos & other visual sources by Dr Ann Hardy (University of Newcastle, NSW).
June Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 4 June 2024
Newcastle Architect – Frederick Menkens
Born in 1855 in Germany, Menkens left his home country and arrived in Australia in 1876. Six years later he started an architectural practice in Newcastle. Most of Newcastle’s early buildings were dominated by English influences but Menkens added his style of German design thus adding variety to our cultural landscape.
April Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 2 April 2024
Mel Woodford
‘Women of the Tellicherry’
The convict transport Tellicherry left Ireland in 1805 bound for New South Wales. Among the convicts, crew, military guard and free passengers were the five ‘Wicklow Rebel Leaders’ of the 1798 Irish Rebellion. It is of the women on this voyage however and the connection of some to the Hunter, that is the focus of this presentation and that which is to form the basis of a forthcoming NFHS publication.
March Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 3 March 2024
Louise Evans
‘From Hippocrates to Modern Day: Medical Terms and Facts’
Louise is interested in all forms of history, and worked for 45 years in a variety of healthcare and related settings both in Australia and the United Kingdom. Louise’s presentation will be of interest to fellow family historians, and anyone interested in the ancient art and science of medicine.
February Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 6 February 2024
‘Dr Ethel Byrne (1895-1957) Newcastle’s Beloved Physician’ by our member Jude Conway
The first woman resident medical officer at Newcastle Hospital in 1918.
February Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 7 February 2023
‘Professor Beryl Nashar’
Her Brilliant Career: University of Newcastle Geology Professor Beryl Nashar (1923-2012) by our member Dr Jude Conway.
Born in Maryville, educated at Cardiff Primary and Newcastle Girls High School, Beryl Nashar was the first Australian to be awarded a PhD in geology from an Australian university and the first woman in Australia, maybe the world, to win a Rotary Foundation Fellowship. Jude Conway recounts her life and achievements.
Click here to watch on our YouTube channel
June Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 6 June 2023
The Australian Agricultural Company by our member Julie Keating.
In 2024, the AA Co will celebrate two hundred years since it was set up to invest in the New South Wales Colony. Local historian, Julie Keating traces the history of the AA Co from its beginnings to the present day.
Click here to watch on our YouTube channel
August Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 2 August 2023
Private Lawrence Nicholas Kennedy by Dr Jan McLeod
Historian and author Dr Jan McLeod shares the story of her great-uncle, Private Lawrence Nicholas Kennedy, who served as a medical orderly in the Middle East and on the Kokoda Track during World War II.
Click here to watch on our YouTube channel
October Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 3 October 2023
Of Secular Nuns and Men of the World
Associate Professor Jo May looks at the historical construction of teachers in students’ memories based on interviews of forty students who attended Newcastle Girls HS and Newcastle Boys HS from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Click here to watch on our YouTube channel
November Monthly Meeting – Tuesday 7 November 2023
The Greta Migrant Camp
Alec Schulha recounts the history of the Greta Migrant Camp from its original purpose as a base for military personnel through to its transformation into the initial home for thousands of displaced migrants after WWII.
