Category: Histories of Hunter Women

Breaking Barriers: Libby Marshall on Women’s Hockey in Newcastle

April 30, 2026

Libby Marshall: Challenges of Women’s Hockey Early Life and Family Influences Libby Marshall grew up in a very active, sport‑focused family. Both parents were passionate about sport: her mother was a talented badminton and tennis player and an Australian badminton champion, while her father was heavily involved in endurance riding and became a gold medalist … More Breaking Barriers: Libby Marshall on Women’s Hockey in Newcastle

Harold and Gladys Brawn [Courtesy of University of Newcastle Archives A7498(iii)]

From Newcastle, With Love: For the Love of Gladys

February 13, 2026

  For the Love of Gladys [Reprinted from Cetus Convocation News 1996 p.15] The late Harold Brawn was an intensely private man, reclusive in his later years, who had few friends, no children and no surviving family. An English immigrant who began his working life as a “fruito” in Newcastle, Harold Brawn donated a fortune … More From Newcastle, With Love: For the Love of Gladys

Vera Deacon Rings Bell to Start Amazing Race

Remembering Dr Vera Deacon OAM (2026) – Call for Contributions

December 8, 2025

  A community Festschrift, a collected volume of stories, memories and scholarly essays, along with poetry and other creative biographical forms, will be launched on 19 July 2026, the 100th Anniversary of the birth and in celebration of the life and work of: Dr Vera Deacon OAM (1926-2021) Vera was born & bred on the … More Remembering Dr Vera Deacon OAM (2026) – Call for Contributions

Rhona Beare (1935-2018) [Photo Credit: https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/giving/legators-and-their-stories]

UON60: The Unique Dr Rhona Beare (1935-2018) Classics Lecturer at UON (1966-2000)

March 5, 2025

The Unique Dr Rhona Beare (1935-2018) Classics Lecturer at the University of Newcastle (1966-2000) By Dr Jude Conway Rhona Beare was born on 20th July 1935, the oldest child of Sylvia Gibson and William Beare, professor of Latin at Bristol University, and the author of The Roman Stage which is still available for purchase today. … More UON60: The Unique Dr Rhona Beare (1935-2018) Classics Lecturer at UON (1966-2000)

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.

Collections & Archives in Creative Writing & Women's Histories

Hunter Living Histories Showcase – November 2023 – Collections and Archives in Creative Writing and Women’s History

October 31, 2023

Hunter Living Histories Showcase “Collections and Archives in Creative Writing and Women’s History” Monday 6 November 2023 (1.00pm-2.30pm) WHERE: via (ZOOM or in Room L326, Auchmuty Library, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle. (Type Room no. into ONLINE MAP) WHEN –  Monday 6 Nov 2023 (1.00pm-2.30pm) VIEW HERE :  ‘EARLY VISIONS Women Artists of Newcastle and the Hunter … More Hunter Living Histories Showcase – November 2023 – Collections and Archives in Creative Writing and Women’s History

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)

Rose Selwyn water colour 1856 FL8674730 State Library of New South Wales. The viewer’s attention is drawn to the exotic Datura lily, with its white trumpet shaped flowers.

Rose Selwyn – Women and Intellectual Life in New South Wales

March 21, 2023

If you are interested in trail blazing women of distinction, who also happen to be watercolour artists, then join the University of Newcastle’s  Historical, Cultural and Critical Inquiry Group and co-host Gender Research Network for: “Women and Intellectual Life in New South Wales 2 – Rose Selwyn.” Dr Paula Jane Byrne When: Friday 24 March … More Rose Selwyn – Women and Intellectual Life in New South Wales

Marion Wyndham and the ‘Wollong’ Weather Diaries, 1891 to 1928

March 16, 2023

Marion Wyndham and the ‘Wollong’ weather diaries, 1891 to 1928 On the first Monday of June 1891, eighteen-year-old Marion Wyndham recorded details of her first weather observation at her parent’s vineyard, ‘Wollong’ at Mt Vincent, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley (north of Newcastle). She observed and recorded wind direction, wind force and cloud … More Marion Wyndham and the ‘Wollong’ Weather Diaries, 1891 to 1928

International Women’s Day, Celebrating Margaret Senior

March 8, 2023

Happy International Women’s Day! Celebrate with us by learning more about the celebrated natural history and children’s book illustrator, Margaret Senior (1917-1995). Margaret Senior OAM Life and Work Born and raised in London, Senior began her working life designing sets and costumes for small London theatres. In 1939, she moved to Australia, to the coast … More International Women’s Day, Celebrating Margaret Senior