Category: Aboriginal History and Culture

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

The Coquun Estuary

The Coquun Hunter Estuary: A Visual Imagery Sourcebook

February 26, 2026

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Focus of Presentation: The Coquun Hunter Estuary The Coquun Estuary. On the formation of the lower estuary, specifically around the Stockton Sandspit and the Newcastle Shipping Port to Nobby Head. Introduction to the Archives. How your … More The Coquun Hunter Estuary: A Visual Imagery Sourcebook

(age 5 of Mrs David Milson Kamilaroi vocabulary and Aboriginal songs, 1840

Further Colonial Historical Accounts of the Supreme Aboriginal Spirit Being

February 12, 2026

Further Colonial Historical Accounts of the Supreme Aboriginal Spirit Being By Leigh Budden Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This brief paper contains historical references to Aboriginal cultural practices ‒ but does not provide secret details about those ceremonies. It references historical articles that contain terms or views that were considered appropriate for … More Further Colonial Historical Accounts of the Supreme Aboriginal Spirit Being

Mt Dangar as seen from Golden Hwy near Sandy Hollow

Who is the “Giant” of Giant’s Leap? Sandy Hollow New South Wales

December 4, 2025

Who is the “Giant” of Giant’s Leap? By Leigh Budden Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This brief paper contains historical references to Aboriginal cultural practices ‒ but does not provide secret details about those ceremonies.  It mentions reference to historical articles that contain terms or views that were considered appropriate at the … More Who is the “Giant” of Giant’s Leap? Sandy Hollow New South Wales

Detail from Lycett's Corroborree at Newcastle

Koen: Further Historical Accounts of the Supreme Aboriginal Spiritual Being, and Related Cosmology Recorded by Colonists

November 6, 2025

Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This brief paper contains historical references to Aboriginal cultural practices ‒ but does not provide secret details about those ceremonies. It references historical articles that contain terms or views that were considered appropriate for Australian Colonial period but no longer considered respectful to Aboriginal First Nations people. … More Koen: Further Historical Accounts of the Supreme Aboriginal Spiritual Being, and Related Cosmology Recorded by Colonists

Necromancy: Edward Kelly, a magician, raising the Ghost of a Person lately deceased, in the Church Yard of Walton-le-dale, Lancaster, from 'The Astrologer of the Nineteenth Century' by Robert Cross (Hand Coloured Engraving Courtesy meisterdrucke)

A Message From The Necromancers This Halloween, MMXXV

October 31, 2025

To us, Necromancers Just remember, All who read and glaze With fascination Across dusty ancient tomes, of manuscripts and archives, Commune with the dead. We are, as necromancers. The Ancient Egyptians said, ‘To speak of the dead, is to make them live again’. When we open a book, That ancient author again speaks and lives … More A Message From The Necromancers This Halloween, MMXXV

Paul F. Walsh OAM (2024)

The Yallarwah Interviews With Paul F. Walsh OAM & Susan Harvey (2024)

September 25, 2025

The story of Yallarwah Place as told by authors Paul F. Walsh & Susan Harvey through interviews recorded in 2024 with Richard Jeans, Hunter New England Local Health District. Paul is an alumnus of the University of Newcastle and recipient of the Newton-John Award. He, together with Dr Raymond Kelly and partner Susan, together with an amazingly … More The Yallarwah Interviews With Paul F. Walsh OAM & Susan Harvey (2024)

Hunter Living Histories May 2025 Showcase – 200 Years Threlkeld’s Arrival in Newcastle & OPUS Student Magazine Reunion (1954-Present)

April 28, 2025

  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: … More Hunter Living Histories May 2025 Showcase – 200 Years Threlkeld’s Arrival in Newcastle & OPUS Student Magazine Reunion (1954-Present)

Honoring Legacy: Rehousing and Updating the Percy Haslam Collection of Indigenous Artefacts

February 19, 2025

  Amir Moghadam, University Conservator In February 2025, we completed the rehousing, reviewing, and updating the registration of a collection of artefacts from the Haslam collection. Who Was Percy Haslam?       Born and raised in Newcastle, Percy Haslam (1912-1987) was a journalist, scholar and advocate for Newcastle and Hunter region’s indigenous peoples, cultures and languages. … More Honoring Legacy: Rehousing and Updating the Percy Haslam Collection of Indigenous Artefacts

Cultural Mapping Project

December 9, 2024

  Background This project was funded by the NSW State Government via the former Greater Cities Commission. The goal of the project was to map places and stories that hold cultural and historical significance for Aboriginal people in the Newcastle region – that is Muloobinba and surrounds, on Awabakal and Worimi Country. It was also … More Cultural Mapping Project