Category: Aboriginal History and Culture

Posts relating to Aboriginal people, culture and history, rock art and engraving sites, mapping, awareness and education.

Dwelling, Shortland Site circa May 1963 (2400dpi scan of original 16mm NBN Television Film Courtesy Mark Rigby UON GLAMx Lab)

Historic Film Emerges of Aboriginal People and Dwellings on Shortland Site, 1963

March 23, 2023

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This post contains images and references to people who are deceased. The NBN Television News Reel After sixty years, historic film has emerged of Aboriginal people living in … More Historic Film Emerges of Aboriginal People and Dwellings on Shortland Site, 1963

The Stan Masterton Collection with academics from Purai Global Indigenous History Centre, Wolloutuka Institute and Special Collections (Archives) in the University of Newcastle (Australia)

Stan Masterson Collection: Papers of Newcastle Aboriginal activist to see the light of day

March 8, 2023

Newcastle is well-known for its energetic trade unionism dating back to the 1870s, more obscure is their support for Indigenous activists fighting injustice, but all this is about to change with the digitising of the papers of the late Stan Masterson through the University of Newcastle’s Special Collections Services. Stan Masterson Stan Masterson was the … More Stan Masterson Collection: Papers of Newcastle Aboriginal activist to see the light of day

Fringe Histories 2023 – Call for blog posts

January 30, 2023

We are calling for Fringe Histories Project blog posts on the Hunter Living Histories website. We are inviting students, alumni, and academics to use Special Collections resources and contribute blog posts on themes reflecting diversity, our marginalised communities and lost histories on the fringe of research. Some of our research and resources are available online … More Fringe Histories 2023 – Call for blog posts

Mathews' Map

Notes on Aboriginal Place Names and People

December 9, 2022

Notes on Aboriginal Place Names and People by Leigh Budden Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This paper contains references to Aboriginal cultural practices surrounding male initiations ‒ but does not provide secret details about those ceremonies. It also contains names of Aboriginal People who are deceased. The author pays respect to all … More Notes on Aboriginal Place Names and People

Reflection – Ea La Wamanbila exhibition

November 30, 2022

    During Freda’s internship at Special Collections in 2022 she collaborated with the team to design and curate the exhibition ‘Ea La Wamanbila’, that was held during September – October 2022 to encourage conversation on the colonial lens that has been imposed on Aboriginal histories, knowledges, culture, and intellect. THE EXHIBITION The primary aim … More Reflection – Ea La Wamanbila exhibition

Novocastrian Tales (1997) book, front and back covers.

25th Anniversary of Novocastrian Tales and birth of Yallarwah Place

September 6, 2022

This work respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Novocastrian Tales 1997 We all wish to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the launch of the book Novocastrian Tales by author Paul F. Walsh OAM on the 5 September 1997. It was a special project, as contributions from the 40 authors … More 25th Anniversary of Novocastrian Tales and birth of Yallarwah Place

Celebrating NAIDOC – Rare Aboriginal Flag footage (1981)

July 4, 2022

  NAIDOC Week 2022 is celebrated across the country and this years theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! Special Collections at the University Library is celebrating NAIDOC week by sharing rare footage of the first raising of the Aboriginal flag above Newcastle City Hall on 10 July 1981. Ceremony Civic Park 1981 This … More Celebrating NAIDOC – Rare Aboriginal Flag footage (1981)

Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space Title

Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space Theatrical Release

June 16, 2022

ALL WELCOME You are invited to a special FREE NAIDOC week screening of Biraban and Threlkeld:  Finding the Third Space, the 17th and latest in the Stories of Our Town Film Series and the follow up to Fortress Newcastle. THE FILM Two years in the making, Biraban and Threlkeld:  Finding the Third Space tells the story of … More Biraban and Threlkeld: Finding the Third Space Theatrical Release

Image of Threlkeld and Biraban

The Lives & Language Work of Biraban and Threlkeld

February 21, 2022

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. The Lives and Works of Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld and We-pohng Birabān (John M’Gill) Compiled as reference materials for the forthcoming 2022 Documentary Film on Birabān & Threlkeld through the Stories of Our Town Series.   … More The Lives & Language Work of Biraban and Threlkeld