Join us for the University Library’s Hunter Living Histories May 2025 Showcase. All Welcome.
This month featuring the 200 Years since the Reverend Threlkeld’s arrival in Newcastle & OPUS Student Magazine Reunion (1954-Present)
WHERE: via (ZOOM link HERE) or in person Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (Type Room no. into ONLINE MAP)
WHEN: Monday 5 May 2025 (1.00pm-2.30pm)
Welcome & Acknowledgement of Countries (Gionni di Gravio OAM)
VALE: Brian Suters AM (1937–2025) Service to be held Friday, 9 May 2025, 11am. Newcastle City Hall, King Street, Newcastle (Live-streamed)
VALE: Gael Davies OAM Service held Friday 2 May, view the service HERE
PRESENTATIONS
PRESENTATION 1 – Threlkeld’s Arrival In Newcastle.
Marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Reverend Threlkeld to Newcastle on the 8 May 1825 and the beginnings of his relationship with M’Gill (Biraban) documenting the language and culture of the Aboriginal peoples of this land.
Special Guests: Sharon Nott (Threlkeld descendant) from Dunedoo! And Shane Frost, Awabakal Descendent. For more on the important groundbreaking work of the Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld & collaborator, M’Gill or Biraban, click on the link, or view the documentary.
PRESENTATION 2 – OPUS Magazine reunion – 1965 and beyond
Special Guests:
- (1960s) Mr Allan Morris. Member for Newcastle, N.S.W., 1983-2001. OPUS Co-Editor, 1965. & Wife Ann and friend and fellow OPUS “typist” Mary Stewart – https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/67564
- (1970s) Mr Bob Hill. Film maker. Stockton Ferry OPUS 1970 Co-editor with Jim Beiers, Bernie Kelly and Max Ryan.
The Very Late Jim Beiers: The Strange and Wonderous Tale of the Stockton Ferry (OPUS)
- (1980s) N/A
- (1990s) Marcus Westbury OAM, Linda Drummond, Angela Felton & James Stuart.
The Newcastle Harold (1992) dated into the then future of Friday July 27th, 2012 with the tantalising headline “Quebec Becomes 52nd State: Canada Ceases to Exist” Compare with the real one:
Newcastle Herald, 27 July 2012 - (2000s) Dr Matthew Thompson Co-
On the 5th May 2001, Matthew and his fellow students dressed up in gear and prostituted themselves on the Maitland road at Islington to raise awareness for funding cuts to the University Libraries.
- 2025 Yana Kaneva (UNSA Content Creator) & Lukas O’Madden.
What is OPUS Magazine?
Opus magazine is a student newspaper published by the University of Newcastle (Australia). It began in 1954 and continues to this day.
Can We Read These OPUSes Online?
We have digitised the OPUS magazine into two sets:
Opus 1954 – 1965 (Newcastle University College)
https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/67527Opus 1965-2014 (University of Newcastle)
https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/67564Also check our the NUSA/OPUS Flickr Site here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/135184510@N05/
Read more about OPUS at the link below.
UON60: Calling all OPUS Student Magazineers Across Time & Space
UPDATES FROM THE REGIONS
Regional GLAM Institutions Updates
Hunter Regional Committee Hunter National Trust Updates
RECENT NEWS
Understanding Australian Ornithological Enthusiasts and Their Contribution to Environmental Learning
Gallipoli: Letters and Lenses, Accounts from the Archives – Hunter Living Histories
University of Newcastle’s Oldest Book – Hunter Living Histories
What Ever Happened to Baby Alexander? – Hunter Living Histories
EXHIBITION
Physica Curiosa – The Edges of Knowing From 17 March, 2025 Level 2 of the Auchmuty Library.
NEXT SHOWCASE
Monday 2 June, 2025. 1.00pm – 2.30pm