Category: Aboriginal History and Culture

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

Alfred Dudley, or the Australian Settlers, 1830 by Sarah Ricardo Porter.

The Earliest Work of Fiction Set in Newcastle, Hunter’s River Involving Relations Between Settlers and Aboriginal People, 1830.

July 17, 2024

A children’s book, penned by a woman and published in 1830, is possibly the earliest work of fiction set in Newcastle, Hunter’s River revolving around the relationships between settlers and Aboriginal people. The book, by the name of Alfred Dudley; or, The Australian Settlers was published in London for Harvey and Darton, Gracechurch-Street in 1830, … More The Earliest Work of Fiction Set in Newcastle, Hunter’s River Involving Relations Between Settlers and Aboriginal People, 1830.

Announcing the 2024 University Library Creative in Residence – Dr Carl Caulfield

June 3, 2024

  Announcing the 2024 University Library Creative in Residence – Dr Carl Caulfield The University of Newcastle Library is excited to introduce Dr Carl Caulfield, a distinguished Newcastle playwright, actor, and director, as our first-ever Creative in Residence. The judging panel – including Rosemarie Milson, Dr Keri Glastonbury, and Dr Caelli Brooker – selected Carl … More Announcing the 2024 University Library Creative in Residence – Dr Carl Caulfield

Title Page of Forget-Me-Not Remembering Lost Lives and Legacies W.S. Procter & The 1841 Procter Chart. An Analytical Examination of the Production of the First Navigational Chart of Reid's Mistake, Lake Macquarie with Reference to Reverend L.E. Threlkeld & Others. Researched & Written By Shane Frost. April 2023.

Remembering Lost Lives & Legacies: W. S. Procter and the 1841 Procter Chart

May 28, 2024

DOWNLOAD AND READ W.S. PROCTER AND THE 1841 PROCTER CHART BY SHANE FROST (58MB PDF) First Navigational Chart of Lake Macquarie The Procter Chart is the first navigational chart of “Reid’s Mistake”, a.k.a. Lake Macquarie, New South Wales produced in 1841. It has fascinated researchers attempting to understand and unlock its annotations and references to … More Remembering Lost Lives & Legacies: W. S. Procter and the 1841 Procter Chart

Hunter Living Histories – June 2024 Showcase

May 27, 2024

WATCH JUNE SHOWCASE ABOVE Join us for a special screening of the film Whibayganba: The Nobby’s Headland Story followed by a Q&A with and Hunter Living Histories Showcase from 1pm – 2:30pm.     ALL WELCOME WELCOME TO COUNTRY (Shane Frost, Awabakal Descendant) – Gionni di Gravio OAM, Chair HLH & University Archivist) introduces Shane … More Hunter Living Histories – June 2024 Showcase

Magill [picture] / [Richard Browne] [ca. 1819] Courtesy of the National Library of Australia.

Biraban – A Warrior, Not A Servant.

February 22, 2024

Biraban – A Warrior, Not A Servant by Leigh Budden   Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Peoples:  This paper contains reference to cultural practices surrounding male initiation – but does not provide secret details about these ceremonies.  It also contains the names of Aboriginal People who are deceased. The author pays respect to … More Biraban – A Warrior, Not A Servant.

Hunter Transmission Project - Proposed Route 2023

Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) – Concerns for Aboriginal and Living Cultural Heritage

December 15, 2023

  ALLA As an Awabakal Traditional Owner, I want to draw your attention to a project that has recently kicked off in the Hunter Valley called the Hunter Transmission Project (HTP). https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/projects/hunter-transmission-project  The Proposal This project proposes a major power transmission line corridor to carry 500 (kv) lines from Bayswater to Eraring power stations.   … More Hunter Transmission Project (HTP) – Concerns for Aboriginal and Living Cultural Heritage

What The Land Had To Say by Reese North. Front Cover Painting "1788" by James P. Simon (1984) Cover Art Design by Jennifer Leahy

“What The Land Had To Say” by Reese North (Newcastle Launch)

November 7, 2023

‘What The Land Had To Say’ Reese North is a poet, historian and gardener. He was born in New Lambton, Newcastle, and from the age of 23, through his travels, became connected, attached and inspired by  Aboriginal people, their lives and culture under colonisation. The poems reflect his journey which began with his involvement with … More “What The Land Had To Say” by Reese North (Newcastle Launch)

Elma Gibbs (1904-1973)

October 31, 2023

A Foreword by Isabel Whittle As part of my responsibilities as the 2023 Vera Deacon Intern, I have been working closely with the Special Collections team on a range of projects to gain experience within the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) Industry. One of these projects involved working with the Special Collections archivist, Gionni di … More Elma Gibbs (1904-1973)

The Birabahn Building, home of Wollotuka, photographed 10th March 2003.

The Birth of the Wollotuka Aboriginal Institute: A Timeline

October 19, 2023

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land.   Wollotuka Wollotuka means “eating and meeting place” and is the name of the strategic and  operational body that co-ordinates all indigenous activities at the University of Newcastle (Australia). This timeline of archival resources has been … More The Birth of the Wollotuka Aboriginal Institute: A Timeline

Uncle Bob Smith with elders and clergy mingles the soils

“Return to Yallarwah” Hunter Living Histories Showcase – 9 October 2023 All Welcome

September 21, 2023

Hunter Living Histories Showcase “Return to Yallarwah” Monday 9 October 2023 (1.00pm-2.30pm)   This work respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. WHEN –  Monday 9 October 2023 (1.00pm-2.30pm) Presentation 1: 5oth Anniversary of Biology at the University of Newcastle with Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts AM. (10 mins) VIEW HERE … More “Return to Yallarwah” Hunter Living Histories Showcase – 9 October 2023 All Welcome