President's News

5 May 2020

Dear members and friends,

Well, it looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel and that some of the social gathering restrictions will begin to be lifted over the coming weeks. It may, however, be some time before collecting institutions, libraries and museums re-open to the public. As such, this newsletter contains items with links to virtual tours, talks, opportunities and calls for papers to keep keen historians occupied. There are also calls for local historians to share their expertise (on any topic) through an online webinar history series and to assist researching South Australian Avenues of Honour – both are great opportunities to increase interest and knowledge in South Australian history.

The History Council’s General Committee held an informal Zoom meeting on 4 May. It was good to see each other (albeit through a computer screen) and to hear how our member organisations have been getting on over the past weeks. Some have found this lockdown period a good opportunity to get stuck into long neglected tasks, digitise items, and improve online access to various collections.

Our Executive Committee met via Zoom on 22 April. Since then we have appointed judges for the Historians Awards who will meet (virtually or face to face) over the coming weeks. (NB we are waiting to see what happens with social distancing restrictions before deciding how and when the awards will be presented). Wakefield Press and the History Council are also in the process of working out how to best announce the winner of the Wakefield Essay Prize. I hope that details will be finalised for inclusion in the next eNewsletter.

We are also excited to announce a webinar, jointly hosted by the History Council and History Trust, which will be held this Saturday, 9 May 2020, at 2pm. Dr Susan Marsden will be the key presenter. As most of our members are aware, Susan is a historian of great renown who held the position of State Historian in the 1990s and was the hardworking and inspirational President of the History Council from 2012 until 2015. Susan is also co-founder of the Marsden Szwarcbord Foundation that gives support to history writing.

The webinar will run for 45 minutes and will be divided into two sections. It will begin with Susan discussing the ‘Spanish flu’ of 1918-19. By outlining the cause, spread, and impact of the world’s worst pandemic and responses – particularly by the South Australian and Commonwealth governments – this will provide historical context and a comparison with the effects and responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic today. There will be opportunity to ask questions following Susan's presentation.

Representatives from South Australian cultural institutions including Dr Kristy Kokegei (and a speaker yet to be confirmed), will join Susan for a 10 minute discussion around the importance of contemporary collecting and the role everyone can play in documenting and recording the current South Australian experience. Speakers will give tips and advice on how you can contribute to a growing archive of 'life during the coronavirus pandemic' through record keeping, collecting and storytelling – a valuable source for future generations. Susan will also speak about a short video initiative called ‘Make history at home’. Pre-submitted and live questions will be answered at the conclusion.

I look forward to seeing some members and friends of the History Council this Saturday at the COVID-19/Spanish Flu webinar!

All the best,

Skye