“Gold Is The Colour At Black Hill” By Athel D’Ombrain Black Hill is a small farming area about seven miles south of Maitland, N.S.W. and notable for about seven orchards tucked away in the midst of fairly dense eucalypts. It is notable for a particular reason, for this is the one place in Australia … More “Gold Is The Colour At Black Hill” By Athel D’Ombrain
Dr Amir Moghadam, Special Collections Introduction On Monday, 9 March 2026, Gionni, Davina, and I hosted a visit from Bishop Tyrell Anglican School in the Special Collection. We welcomed 25 Year 11 and 12 students. Thank you to Davina for preparing the space. The group spent 45 minutes exploring our Greek and Roman objects. Of … More Collections Update: Bishop Tyrrell Anglican School Visit to special collections
The following report describes a march by the Maitland Lancers down to Lake Macquarie and back through Lambton from the 26 to 28 May, 1900. Community Historian, Robert Watson has ‘matched’ some Ralph Snowball photographs taken on 28 May 1900 with the corresponding newspaper article, which he also transcribed. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, … More A March by the Maitland Lancers to Lake Macquarie 26th-28th May 1900
In memory of Emeritus Professor Kenneth (Ken) Dutton By Dr Marie-Laure Vuaille-Barcan Professor Ken Dutton passed away quietly in his Newcastle apartment on 27 February, aged 87. “Ann Hardy and I had the privilege of interviewing him in September 2025 in his apartment. The interview formed part of Copley-funded research on the creation of … More VALE Emeritus Professor Kenneth (Ken) Dutton AM FRSN
OBL in Action: Student Feedback on the Coquun–Hunter Estuary Session Dr Amir Moghadam, Special Collections Last week, we hosted a class visit from UTS focused on the Coquun–Hunter Estuary. We held the class in the Murrook Cultural Centre. As with previous visits, we invited feedback from Studio11130 students. Of the 50 students who … More Collections Update: Object Based Learning Session at Murrook Culture Centre
Forthcoming Hunter Living Histories Showcase Monday, 2 March 2026, 1.00pm-2.30pm Join Zoom Meeting HERE Join us at 1.00pm-2.30pm for the University Library’s monthly Hunter Living Histories showcase. All Welcome. WHERE: via (Join Zoom Meeting HERE) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (See ONLINE MAP) WHEN – Monday 2 March 2026 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Afternoon Tea will be … More Hunter Living Histories Showcase – March 2026
This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Focus of Presentation: The Coquun Hunter Estuary The Coquun Estuary. On the formation of the lower estuary, specifically around the Stockton Sandspit and the Newcastle Shipping Port to Nobby Head. Introduction to the Archives. How your … More The Coquun Hunter Estuary: A Visual Imagery Sourcebook
Dr Amir Moghadam, Special Colletions Sessions on Rome and Pompeii. Last week, on February 17th, we conducted two Object-Based Learning (OBL) sessions for AHIS2010 students. During these sessions, students engaged with historical books, coins, and objects relevant to their studies on Rome and Pompeii. I provided instructions and introductory notes, after which Gionni … More Collection’s update: Object-Based Learning Sessions on Rome and Pompeii.
Sessions on the Early History of Books in Australia Dr Amir Moghadam, Special Collections Last week, I and my colleague Davina Pellatt did run five Object-Based Learning sessions on the topic of the” beginnings of literature in Australia” with HAS1000, first-year students. It was one of those weeks that remind you why our expertise and collections … More Collection Update: Lively sessions, Thoughtful Questions
![Harold and Gladys Brawn [Courtesy of University of Newcastle Archives A7498(iii)]](https://hunterlivinghistories.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/A7498iii_001-Gladys-Harold-Brawn-365x365.jpg?crop=1)
For the Love of Gladys [Reprinted from Cetus Convocation News 1996 p.15] The late Harold Brawn was an intensely private man, reclusive in his later years, who had few friends, no children and no surviving family. An English immigrant who began his working life as a “fruito” in Newcastle, Harold Brawn donated a fortune … More From Newcastle, With Love: For the Love of Gladys