Sergeant "Jerry" Barnes, bugler. The Municipal Mirror, p.9 (c. 1940) [ Courtesy City Archives, Brisbane City Council)

Search for Brisbane’s First ANZAC Day Bugler: Sergeant Herbert “Jerry” Barnes of Raymond Terrace

April 22, 2026

  The Very First ANZAC Day, Brisbane 1916 The very first Anzac Day was held in Brisbane in 1916 and the commemoration was adopted across the country a year later.   ANZAC Day’s First Bugler The man who played the Last Post on that Anzac Day was named Herbert (a.k.a. “Jerry”) Barnes. He later worked … More Search for Brisbane’s First ANZAC Day Bugler: Sergeant Herbert “Jerry” Barnes of Raymond Terrace

Newcastle Maritime Museum Collection: A Treasure Trove of the Past

April 22, 2026

Historical Significance People often forget that at the turn of the 19th century, the Port of Newcastle was the 5th busiest port in the entire world. There were times when the Harbour was filled with over a hundred sailing ships and other vessels. Newcastle was a major coal hub for the rest of the world, … More Newcastle Maritime Museum Collection: A Treasure Trove of the Past

Hunter Living Histories Showcase – 13 April 2026

April 8, 2026

Hunter Living Histories Showcase Monday, 13 April 2026, 1.00pm-2.30pm Join us at 1.00pm-2.30pm for the University Library’s monthly Hunter Living Histories showcase. All Welcome. WHERE: via (Join Zoom Meeting) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (See ONLINE MAP) WHEN –  Monday 13 April 2026 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Afternoon Tea will be provided for those attending in person … More Hunter Living Histories Showcase – 13 April 2026

Colour Transparency of Oonshi Mandarines and Fringed Wattle, Black Hill 1973.

“Gold Is The Colour At Black Hill” By Athel D’Ombrain

March 24, 2026

“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

Collections Update: Bishop Tyrrell Anglican School Visit to special collections

March 18, 2026

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

Maitland Lancers, in formation. Photograph by Ralph Snowball 28 May 1900 (Courtesy of Newcastle Libraries)

A March by the Maitland Lancers to Lake Macquarie 26th-28th May 1900

March 18, 2026

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

VALE Emeritus Professor Kenneth (Ken) Dutton AM FRSN

March 9, 2026

  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

Collections Update: Object Based Learning Session at Murrook Culture Centre

March 5, 2026

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