Category: Histories of Hunter Women

“Islands of the Insane” – our records, perceptions and the lost voices from the ‘asylum’

October 16, 2019

(This post has been transferred from ‘Newcastle Government Domain’ WordPress site- originally posted 4 December 2014) Paper presented at the Australian Archives Conference ‘Archives on the Edge’ University of Newcastle Tasmania, Australia 18-21 August 2015 ABSTRACT- This article examines the mental health records from the ‘Newcastle Asylum for Imbecile and Idiot’ (1871-1900) held at Archives … More “Islands of the Insane” – our records, perceptions and the lost voices from the ‘asylum’

“. . . here is an Asylum open . . .” Constructing a Culture of Government Care in Australia 1801 – 2014 now online

October 16, 2019

(This post has been transferred from ‘Newcastle Government Domain’ WordPress site- originally posted 1 August 2014) Dr Ann Hardy’s thesis  ““. . . here is an Asylum open . . .” Constructing a Culture of Government Care in Australia 1801 – 2014″ on the national significance of the former James Fletcher Hospital site is available … More “. . . here is an Asylum open . . .” Constructing a Culture of Government Care in Australia 1801 – 2014 now online

Newcastle ‘Girls’ – Chaos and Mayhem in the City

October 16, 2019

(This post has been transferred from ‘Newcastle Government Domain’ WordPress site- originally posted 28 June 2013) Local Treasures 1233ABC Radio- 28 October 2014 Presenter: Carol Duncan Interviewees: Ann Hardy & Jane Ison The University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party and the National Trust of Australia (NSW) have been strong advocates of the historic Newcastle … More Newcastle ‘Girls’ – Chaos and Mayhem in the City

‘Empower a Women -Empower a Nation’ International Women’s Day – 2017

October 16, 2019

(This post has been transferred from ‘Newcastle Government Domain’ WordPress site- originally posted 14 March 2017) International Women’s Day was celebrated by the Newcastle Branch of the Union of Australian Women on 3rd March 2017 at Charlestown Bowling Club with a talk by Ann Hardy. The topic was the Newcastle Industrial Girls School (1867-71) an … More ‘Empower a Women -Empower a Nation’ International Women’s Day – 2017

Vera Deacon made Freewoman of the City of Newcastle

September 30, 2019

Vera Deacon, historian and the University of Newcastle’s great philanthropist, has been awarded the Freeman of the City of Newcastle, (that she renamed the Freewoman of the City of Newcastle) at a special ceremony held in her honour on the 25 September 2019. Attended by hundreds of friends, acquaintances and admirers, Vera accepted the award … More Vera Deacon made Freewoman of the City of Newcastle

“They sent me North: Female Convicts in the Hunter” – Book Launch

August 6, 2019

On Tuesday 31 July 2019, the publication “They sent me north: Female Convicts in the Hunter” compiled by Mel Woodford with Jan Richards, edited by Elizabeth James from the Newcastle Family History Society (NFHS) was launched at the Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Library. The book has many contributions by the descendants of female convicts and members … More “They sent me North: Female Convicts in the Hunter” – Book Launch

Miss Hayes and The Great Northern Hotel Album

April 8, 2019

Agnes Bridget/Beatrice Mary Hayes was born in 1853 in Tipperary, Ireland. She came to Australia on 29th April 1854 as an assisted immigrant on the “Merchantman” with her parents Cornelius Hayes and Honora Hayes (nee Kennedy), with three siblings; Mary Ann, Honoria, and Joseph. By 1856 the Hayes family were living in Maitland N.S.W and … More Miss Hayes and The Great Northern Hotel Album

Joy Cummings – “Words were not important – love has its own language” – A tribute to Australia’s first female Lord Mayor

January 18, 2019

Joy Cummings (1923-2003) left a great legacy of her years of leadership as Lord Mayor of our city, she entered politics as an environmental campaigner and had a vision for the city of Newcastle, she was able to transform into a people-friendly city. TIMELINE Born at Ramsgate, Sydney, in December 1923. Joined the Labor Party … More Joy Cummings – “Words were not important – love has its own language” – A tribute to Australia’s first female Lord Mayor

DIY Newcastle East Women’s History Walk​

July 19, 2017

This DIY history walk was researched by Jude Conway, on the suggestion of the Newcastle women’s group AWE and the Gender, Generation and Culture Network at the University of Newcastle. The walk tells stories of Awabakal women, the first Newcastle women’s surf club in 1908 and International Women’s Day marches. Some of the women highlighted … More DIY Newcastle East Women’s History Walk​