Fringe Histories series- Dr Anne von Bertouch OAM

During March, Special Collections shared social media posts of some of the region’s amazing women and their contributions. We received heartfelt comments and memories about Dr Anne Von Bertouch OA (1915-2003) Anne was gallery director of the Von Bertouch Gallery 1962 – 1998 in Newcastle located in Cooks Hill. Her galleries played a big part … More Fringe Histories series- Dr Anne von Bertouch OAM

‘Story of Middleton’ – First Chaplain at Newcastle, NSW in 1821

At the March Hunter Living Histories meeting Dr Ian Eckford presented the ‘Story of Middleton’ – 200 year anniversary of the first Chaplain at Newcastle, New South Wales. Wednesday, 10 March 2021 marked 200 years since George Augustus Middleton was appointed as the first resident Chaplain to the convict settlement of Newcastle. Dr Eckford also … More ‘Story of Middleton’ – First Chaplain at Newcastle, NSW in 1821

ARCHIVAL CHATS – Series of Chapbooks exploring the UON’s Special Collections & Archives

Archival Chats A Series of Chapbooks exploring the University of Newcastle’s Special Collections & GLAMx Lab Archives By Jasmin Thompson Jasmin Thompson is an emerging writer passionate about poetry, zines and experimental non-fiction. Her work often focuses on Australian culture with particular emphasis on the trivial details that make our individual experiences so unique. This … More ARCHIVAL CHATS – Series of Chapbooks exploring the UON’s Special Collections & Archives

“Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories & Joseph Lycett

Last week Tony and I were invited by Richard Neville (Mitchell Librarian, Director Engagement) to the vault at the Mitchell Library to film and talk about 3 extraordinary artifacts associated with Newcastle’s history. Firstly, Macquarie’s Chest, one of two commissioned by Commander Wallis in 1819 to curry favour with Govenor Macquarie, such a gorgeous and … More “Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories & Joseph Lycett

“Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories

By Glenn Dormand Visit storiesofourtown.com  It was such a joy to hang out with Prof John Maynard last week to get a fascinating insight into the work of Joseph Lycett. John, a proud Worimi man wrote True Light and Shade: An Aboriginal Perspective of Joseph Lycett’s Art and I can’t recommend it enough.  It is … More “Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories

“Florence Austral – Our forgotten Diva”

“Florence Austral – Our forgotten Diva” Project – Florence Austral (1892-1968) was a world renowned singer and performed in Opera Houses around the world during the early 20th century. She taught singing at the Newcastle Conservatorium (now part of UON) from 1954 until 1959. The Florence Austral Society is collaborating with City of Newcastle and … More “Florence Austral – Our forgotten Diva”

“Stories of Our Town” Newcastle Documentary Series – Scott Sister’s of Ash Island

By Glenn Dormand Visit storiesofourtown.com This week Tony and I were all over the place working on 3 films at once. We filmed drones on Ash Island, interviewed an Aboriginal Linguist in Lake Munmorah, a Heritage Architect at Toronto as well as a full afternoon at the University of Newcastle’s School of Creative Industries at … More “Stories of Our Town” Newcastle Documentary Series – Scott Sister’s of Ash Island

Victoria Theatre (1891) VR – technical reconstruction

In 2018 the Victoria Theatre VR project was created. The University’s IT Services’ Innovation Team (ITSIT) was responsible for the technical side of the project, including creating the 3D model of the theatre, an animated performance on the stage, and custom virtual reality (VR) software for the project. Archival plans and other historic records provided … More Victoria Theatre (1891) VR – technical reconstruction

“Black Swans” – an engraving by Capt. James Wallis, 1818

  Introduction As part of the COVID19 lock down during April 2020, a challenge was published through the Hunter Living Histories Twitter feed to identify the possible location of an engraving of two black swans at Reed’s Mistake, (now Swansea) that were published two hundred years ago 1820, but captured sometime around 1818 as part … More “Black Swans” – an engraving by Capt. James Wallis, 1818