eNewsletter
Newsletter October 2026
From the President
The HCSA had a very successful and well attended AGM last week. A big thank you to those who attended, and in particular to those who have joined the general and executive committees! Although we farewelled our secretary Amanda Wells and treasurer Carmel Pascale from the executive committee, we have been lucky enough to retain them for the general committee. Thanks to them both for their sterling efforts in keeping us running over the past few years. For full details of the new committees’ composition, see the news below.
A highlight of the AGM was the ‘fireside chat’ I had with the CEO of the History Trust, Justyna Jochym. Amongst other things, she offered us an insight into the role of the History Trust, the next History Trust grant round, as well as some thoughts on how best to approach 2036 commemoration plans. Thanks to Justyna for her time and her willingness to field members’ questions.
In other news, we are very excited that in a few short weeks (Fri 6 November) we will be in Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, for our regional lecture and networking event. For those who haven’t booked a spot, free tickets can still be found on Humanitix here.
And of course, don’t forget to renew your membership of the History Council. As an organisation that funded solely by members and donors, your membership makes a great difference to our work representing you, our community of historians and history lovers. https://historycouncilsa.org.au/membership/ .
See you in Penneshaw! Matt.
Advocacy news
Adelaide Park Lands: Given recent developments, on 19 August, the History Council released a statement on the Adelaide Park Lands:
“The History Council of South Australia is concerned about the acceleration of destructive forms of development that threaten the heritage value of the Adelaide Park Lands. It urges the State Government not to jeopardise further the city’s heritage assets and to protect the special status, attributes and character of the Adelaide Park Lands. It further reminds the State Government of its responsibility under the Adelaide Park Lands Act 2005 “to provide for the protection of those park lands and for their management as a world-class asset to be preserved as an urban park for the benefit of present and future generations.”
News
HCSA Executive and General Committees
The AGM saw the election of the general and executive committees for the next year.
The Executive Committee for 2026-2027 has been elected:
- Matt Fitzpatrick, President (2025-2027)
- Lainie Anderson, Vice President (2025-2027)
- Ellen Whitton, Secretary (2026-2028)
- Julia Garnaut, Treasurer (2026-2028)
- Greg Slattery, Executive Committee (2026-2028)
- Samuel Doering, Executive Committee (2026-2028)
Here is the full committee of 19 members, as well as details of their term in the role:
2025-2027 (alphabetical order):
- Lainie Anderson
- Gillian Dooley
- Matthew Fitzpatrick
- Christeen Schoepf (OHA SA/NT)
- Tamara Wenham (AHA SA)
2026-2028:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help shape the future of the State Library
The Libraries board of South Australia is developing an integrated Strategic Plan 2027-2032 that will guide the future of the State Library and public libraries across South Australia.
They are welcoming feedback through a YourSAy survey, closing on 26 October.
NSW History Award winners announced
The State Library of NSW recently announced the winners of the 2026 NSW History Awards. Congratulations to South Australian Historian Natalie Harkin who was awarded the Australian History Prize.
Check out the winners on the State Library of NSW website here
Grandparenting in Australia: a history (1945-2025)
A project team documenting the history of grandparenting in Australia is seeking oral history interviewees and/or 3-6 participants for a focus group in Adelaide/SA. It is an Australian Research Council-funded project (ARC DP250100728, Ethics Approval ANU H/2025/0115).
Participation involves a focus group lasting around 2 hours. They hope to run this before the end of July. It will be conducted in a comfortable, conversational setting. They are interested in hearing about experiences of grandparenting and being grandparented, biological and non-biological grandparenting. They are also keen to recruit several generations of the same family (provided grandchildren are over 18 years old).
Please note that participation is completely voluntary, and while no financial compensation is provided, your contribution will be invaluable to this important research.
If you’re interested in participating or would like more information about the project, the team would love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions – they are happy to discuss the research in more detail and explain what participation would involve for you, your friends or your family.
Please contact: [email protected]
You can find out more about the project here:
ABC Radio National: The untold story of grandparenting in Australia
Swiss Researcher Seeking Letters and Diaries
Isabella Barbaric is a doctoral candidate at the University of Zurich. She is looking for letters and diaries for her research on the language of Swiss migrants to Australia 1850-2025. Isabella’s research project outline is available in German and English through the Universität Zürich website.
Isabella’s research outline also includes her email address. She would be very appreciative of assistance which HCSA members might be able to provide.
Simpson Prize
The Simpson Prize is a civics-based, national research competition for Year 9 and 10 students which focuses on the service of Australians in World War One and World War Two. The question for this year’s national competition is: ‘How useful are artefacts and artwork as historical sources when researching the experience of Australians who served in either the First World War or Second World War?’
Discuss with reference to either WW1 or WW2.
Submissions due 4 November 2026.
Further information on the prize's website here
Storage needed for John McDouall Stuart artefacts
The John McDouall Stuart Society is on the lookout for storage space for its collection. The society’s artefacts are held in ten boxes requiring about five square metres of secure storage space. The society’s display cabinets (currently dis-assembled) need an additional 10sqm of space. Ultimately, the goal is to have the collection located in a safe, secure space, open at times for general public viewing.
For further information or to assist, please contact society Co-President Tim Moore on [email protected].
Save the Queen: The Priscilla Project
A project is underway to restore the Priscilla bus from the film 'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. She was discovered on a property in rural New South Wales, having survived fire, floods, and exposure to the elements. The History Trust of South Australia is seeking donations to restore the bus and display her at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood.
Lectures, exhibitions, and events
Port Adelaide Historical Society Dinner 2026
Join the Society for a dinner at the Semaphore Port Adelaide RSL Clubrooms. 18 November, 6.30pm - 9pm.
The History of John Martin’s
This month with Genealogy SA, Paul Flavel will join us to share stories and memories of the beloved and iconic department store, John Martin's.
Wednesday 4 November at 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Free for Genealogy SA members / $20 non-members
50 years of Torrens Valley History
The Torrens Valley and District Historical Society (now known as Gumeracha & District History Centre) was founded in 1976. A jubilee lunch will be held at the Lobethal hotel on Wednesday, 25 November, followed by several special presentations. Roger Edmonds will launch his new Chain of Ponds mobile tour. He will also show his earlier Millbrook (township) mobile tour and introduce his Mobile Adventures Australia service.
Historical Society of South Australia Monthly talks
Monthly Talks are held at Burnside City Uniting Church, Tusmore from 7.30pm sharp. Visitors welcome $5 cash on entry.
November 6: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING 1902-1961. Guest speaker Richard Maerschel
Across the desk of Don Dunstan: Leading political change in the 1970s
This exhibition offers an insider’s look at this defining era. Focusing on his second term as premier from 1970 to 1979, the display highlights the strategic vision and determination behind reforms that set national precedents.
21 September - 1 December 2026, 10am - 5pm daily. The Centre of democracy (Corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue).
Book releases
Introduction to Whyalla Coastline
Introduction to Whyalla Coastline – written by local author / council’s Tourism Assets Officer Paul Mazourek – is now available to the community, providing an overview of the coastline from Douglas Point in the north to Murninnie Beach in the south.
The guide highlights significant coastal locations and aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the region's unique coastal environment.
Available to purchase from the Whyalla Visitor Centre
Tel: 1800 088 589 (Free); 08 8645 7900
Email: [email protected]
Cost: $16.50 (incl GST)
Further information through the Whyalla City Council website here
The sixth edition of the Oral History Handbook
Beth M Robertson has published the Sixth Edition of the Oral History Handbook: Preserving Voices and Memories for the Historical Record.
The First Edition of the Oral History Handbook was published in 1983 as an A5 booklet by the committee of South Australia’s Oral History Association, of which Beth was a member. She has authored the expansion and transformation of the title through five subsequent editions, during which it became recognised as the national standard for oral history practice in Australia.
The Oral History Handbook provides clear, concise and current information about the purpose, value, and reliability of oral history; the ethical and legal foundations of best practice; how to plan and manage an oral history project or whole-of-life interview; adaptable interview structures; the technology and practices required to achieve high-quality recordings; the skills needed to conduct effective interviews; and undertaking accurate transcription in an AI environment.
It summarises cutting edge scholarship about memory and remembering and, in a departure from previous editions, focuses on ways in which interviewers, project managers and researchers can support the ethical use of oral histories. This is presented through three lenses: ways of evaluating the reliability and validity of interviews, preparing archive-ready descriptive metadata and interview summaries, and editing oral histories. The new book also includes a comprehensive index.
The book is self-published under the auspices of Oral History Australia and is available via the sales website. RRP: $40.00 plus postage ($8.50 for single orders).
Nooks and Crannies, by the History Council of South Australia
South Australian historical groups and museums keen to boost their income are invited to order copies of the History Council of South Australia’s new publication Nooks and Crannies at wholesale price from publisher Wakefield Press.
Nooks and Crannies: Stories of South Australia is an eclectic collection of short essays on South Australian inventions, migration, industry, heritage, museums and associations, both new and old, Indigenous and settler. RRP: $39.95.
For more information or to order, contact Michael Bollen at Wakefield Press at [email protected]
Please note: wholesale is 40% off the RRP (or $23.97) with free delivery for orders over $100!
Calls for papers
Call for Special Issue Proposals: nineteenth-century contexts
The journal Nineteenth-Century Contexts invites proposals from prospective guest editors for Special Issues addressing any aspect of the nineteenth century. As an interdisciplinary journal, they welcome proposals from a wide range of fields, especially, but not limited to, English literature, history, art, musicology, anthropology, religious studies, sociology, economics, philosophy, and other humanities, arts, and social sciences.
Current Projects
Paul Mazourek of the Whyalla Maritime Museum writes:
In 2022, an MOU agreement between the City of Whyalla and NTSA Whyalla Branch included plans for the development of the Mt Laura Homestead Museum and its collection. By the end of 2024, a detailed ‘Audit and Future Developments’ report became the basis for the changes. Stage 1 concentrated on the historic homestead, a centrepiece of the Mt Laura Homestead Museum precinct. After securing funds from Council, additional help came from the City of Whyalla Infrastructure Department who organised external and internal repairs. I assessed the homestead’s artefacts, including the 1305 pieces on display, and hundreds more in the depository. I then prepared the new exhibition concept, selected representative artefacts and prepared the design for the new display cabinets, which were manufactured locally by T&D Cabinetmakers.
The major operation started by transferring the artefacts and furniture to a temporary shipping container, a first since the original permanent exhibition was established in 1970. For both deinstallation and new installation I was helped by members of the National Trust Whyalla Branch, their families, church and social groups and even a local graphic designer businesswoman who donated her time. The brand-new permanent exhibition was installed in the last week of July 2026. Its sections represent the story of Whyalla – Mt Laura Homestead Story, Early Pastoral, Early Whyalla Story, Shipping, Mining and Army - plus old favourites like the old schoolroom and the old homestead room. There will also be a large video screen featuring Whyalla residents reminiscing about the city’s past (October 2026). Work on Stage 2 is already underway!
For more information, please contact Paul at [email protected]
Read about the exhibition upgrade on the Whyalla Council website
