Ludwig Leichhardt in Newcastle

Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt (1813-1848?), Prussian born naturalist and explorer, visited Newcastle and the Hunter Region on his journey of explorations through Australia during the years 1842-1843. We have prepared this timeline below of his chronological movements throughout Newcastle and the Region to assist a German documentary team, planning to produce a documentary for German … More Ludwig Leichhardt in Newcastle

Stockton is Newcastle’s First Settlement?

While researching references to the early settlement at Coal River (Newcastle) in a previous post, we were directed (thanks to Jen Willets) to a very interesting footnote in the Historical Records of Australia Vol III p. 772 – 773 which provided an interesting aside. There appears to be evidence that Newcastle had an initial settlement … More Stockton is Newcastle’s First Settlement?

Corporal Wixtead and the fate of Newcastle’s first settlement in 1801

For many years we’ve wondered about the early settlement of Newcastle in 1801 under the command of Corporal Wixstead. We first found out about him in Huntington’s serialised history of Newcastle published in the Newcastle Morning Herald of 1897: Corporal Wixstead arrived at Hunter’s River aboard the schooner Francis on the 23rd July 1801, accompanied … More Corporal Wixtead and the fate of Newcastle’s first settlement in 1801

Changing Places – Newcastle and the Hunter – Book Launch

Changing Places – Newcastle and the Hunter (2012) is the third and eagerly anticipated latest book from Greg and Sylvia Ray featuring unique and long lost images of Newcastle and the Hunter, beautifully digitised and re-mastered from original glass negatives and film. The book will also come with a DVD containing two vintage documentaries about … More Changing Places – Newcastle and the Hunter – Book Launch

Historic Return of Newcastle Treasures for Exhibition

On Friday 26th October 2012 a public announcement was made by Dr Alex Byrne of the NSW State Library, relating to the exciting news that the artistic treasures of early Newcastle would make their historic return to the City for the first time in over 195 years. The forthcoming “Treasures of Newcastle from the Macquarie … More Historic Return of Newcastle Treasures for Exhibition

UoN Creative and Performing Arts Students Engage Local History

As stalwart supporters of student research into the history of our region we are delighted to see that this year there is a bumper output from a very engaged and creative cohort in the first year of University of Newcastle’s Creative and Performing Arts ( i.e., the new name for what was formerly ‘Drama’). Thanks … More UoN Creative and Performing Arts Students Engage Local History

Newcastle Town Hall and Civic Theatre Honoured

On the 27th September 2012 the announcement was made that both the Newcastle Town Hall and Civic Theatre complex would be listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register. Both buildings were designed by architect Henry Eli White (1875-1952), and were the greatest achievement of visionary Mayor of Newcastle from 1924-25 Alderman Morris Light (1859-1929). … More Newcastle Town Hall and Civic Theatre Honoured