Opus Issue: August, 1965. Special Collections and Archives. Pranksters of the year, 1965 By Davina Pellatt – Archives Engagement Officer – Special Collections and Archives In the grand tradition of Autonomy Day, where mayhem and mischief have long been part of the celebration, a recent enquiry prompted me to explore the motivations behind the … More What Lies Behind the Autonomy Day Pranksters
Join us at 1.00pm-2.30pm for the University Library’s monthly Hunter Living Histories showcase. All Welcome. WHERE: via (ZOOM link HERE) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (See ONLINE MAP) WHEN –  Monday 3 August 2026 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Afternoon Tea will be provided for those attending in person (from 12.30pm) WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY RECENT NEWS … More Hunter Living Histories August 2026 Showcase – The Joys of Recollect, Autonomy Day Pranks & Brass Bands
Last Wednesday 15 July 2026 (our time Thursday) we awoke to the devastating news that our University colleague, the wonderful Professor Marguerite Johnson and soul partner Leni, had perished in a tragic car accident on the Island of Lesvos, Greece. A GoFundMe page has been created to help their children Kate and Jack: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kate-and-jack-after-the-tragic-loss-of-their-parents Tributes … More Vale Professor Marguerite Johnson and Soulmate Leni Johnson
What’s Going On? Five letters, written in 1858, by the Reverend Lancelot Edward Threlkeld have come to light after 170 years. Threlkeld, along with Biraban, leader of the Lake Macquarie & Newcastle peoples now known as the Awabakal, were Aboriginal language preservation pioneers, ensuring the ancient language of this land and region was preserved for … More Five Letters by the Reverend Threlkeld, Aboriginal Language Preservation Pioneer, Come to Light After 170 Years
Dr Amir Moghadam, Contact Special Collections & Archives Collections often begin with family memory: photographs, documents, letters, business papers and the everyday traces of lives lived in particular times and places. In the University of Newcastle’s collections, the Glass and Morrison Family Collection offers a valuable window into Singleton and the Hunter Valley in … More The Glass and Morrison Family Collection
Join us at 1.00pm-2.30pm for the University Library’s monthly Hunter Living Histories showcase. All Welcome. WHERE: via (Join ZOOM here ) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (See ONLINE MAP) WHEN –  Monday 6 July 2026 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Afternoon Tea will be provided for those attending in person (from 12.30pm) WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS ‘Newcastle’s New … More Hunter Living Histories July Showcase
Dr Amir Moghadam, Special Collections and Archives A Life Devoted to Music, Teaching, and Culture The University of Newcastle’s Special Collections holds the archive of Dr Alexander Burnard (1900–1971), a composer, teacher, and one of the quietly influential figures in twentieth-century Australian classical music. Although Burnard’s name is not as well known today as some … More Alexander Burnard: A Quiet Musical Genius
The following letter written by Elaine Hough, Manager at Newcastle Permanent Building Society and was written 28th December 1989, the day of the Newcastle Earthquake, is held in a private collection and digitised and transcribed by Jacqueline Rheinberger (Career Ready Placement student at GLAMx Lab). Also see Mrs E. Haugh Letter | Living Histories This … More The Newcastle Earthquake Letter: Elaine Hough, 28th December 1989
Join us at 1.00pm-2.30pm for the University Library’s monthly Hunter Living Histories showcase. All Welcome. WHERE: via (Join ZOOM here ) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (See ONLINE MAP) WHEN – Monday 1 June 2026 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Afternoon Tea will be provided for those attending in person (from 12.30pm) … More Hunter Living Histories Showcase – June 2026
Davina Pellatt and Amir Moghadam For many of us, gowns, hoods, caps, colours, and ceremonial robes are familiar sights at graduation, yet their origins and symbolism are less often understood. Â As students prepare for graduation ceremonies in June, here in Special Collections, in honour of the late Professor Ken Dutton, we want to introduce you … More Academic Dress: Tradition, Symbolism, and Meaning