The Stories of Our Town Project is a series of documentary films that tell Newcastle’s key historic stories through Novocastrian eyes and points of view. It is funded in part through the Department of Regional NSW Newcastle Port Community Contribution (NPCC) fund, and is a great partnership between the film makers, Carnivore Films, the University of Newcastle, and Newcastle’s major Cultural Institutions and community organisations.
The following talk on ‘Joseph Lycett (1774-1828)‘ was delivered at ArtChat at the Newcastle Art Gallery on 1 April 2026 by Dr Ann Hardy who was kindly invited by the Art Gallery Society. The talk was post-recorded on request of audience members. Joseph Lycett is known as a convict artist, forger and engraver, however there was … More Joseph Lycett: From Forgery to Fine Art
Step inside Cintra House Maitland’s crown jewel and a sprawling 31-room Victorian Italianate masterpiece. Built in 1878 during the height of the “Boom style,” this isn’t just a mansion—it’s a living, breathing timeline of Maitland itself. More than Just Bricks and Mortar Here’s why Cintra House is more than just “bricks and mortar”: A Grand … More Cintra House: A Legacy of Love Film
What Is Newcastle Generations of Pride? Newcastle: Generations of Pride is a documentary film about the LGBTQI+ history of Newcastle Australia; told by those who lived it. This film chronicles the lived experiences of Newcastle’s gay community across decades. From the dark days of persecution to the bright moments of celebration; it captures … More Newcastle: Generations of Pride Film
Historical Significance People often forget that at the turn of the 19th century, the Port of Newcastle was the 5th busiest port in the entire world. There were times when the Harbour was filled with over a hundred sailing ships and other vessels. Newcastle was a major coal hub for the rest of the world, … More Newcastle Maritime Museum Collection: A Treasure Trove of the Past
Bringing Out The Stories of Your Town Presentation to 2025 Australian Society of Archivists National Conference Bringing Out The Stories of Your Town (ASA2025) Slide 1 Intro Presentation to Australian Society of Archivists 2025 National Conference by Gionni Di Gravio OAM This is a photograph of a “bus” by the late (and great) photographer John … More Bringing Out The Stories Of Your Town – ASA 2025 Presentation
Last night I had the privilege of attending the sold out premiere of the 21st Stories of Our Town film “Ralph Snowball: Capturing Newcastle”. The launch was hosted at a special pop-up history venue made possible by Ship4Good and Arts Maritime Newcastle. This film explores the life and work of Ralph Snowball a Newcastle photographer … More Ralph Snowball: Capturing Newcastle Premiere
Lambton Photo Mural Unveiled On the 4 March 2025, a 12-metre long photo mural was unveiled in Lambton. It contains 17 images of Lambton taken by Ralph Snowball, before the township became a suburb of Newcastle. Who Was Ralph Snowball? Ralph Snowball came from Durham in the United Kingdom and settled in New Lambton. … More A Lambton Photo Mural featuring Ralph Snowball Photographs
The Stories of Our Town film makers Chit Chat von Loopin Stab (a.k.a. Glenn from Waratah) and Tony Whittaker along with University of Newcastle solar energy star Professor Paul Darstoor‘s work for Coldplay and film maker Dr Stuart McBratney have been celebrated into Australian Parliamentary Hansard by Member for Newcastle and Deputy Speaker of the … More Stories of Our Town UON Creatives Shout-out In Australian Parliamentary Hansard
View all the Stories of Our Town YouTube Channel for FREE Please Click the Subscribe Button (As it helps the Chit Chat & Tony to make more films for us!) For More Information on the Stories of Of Town https://hunterlivinghistories.com/category/stories-of-our-town/ Support the Stories of Town Patreon https://www.patreon.com/storiesofourtown What’s Happening? Filming for … More The Ralph Snowball Stories of Our Town Film Begins!
Shipwrecked Newcastle – the 20th film from the Stories of Our Town team Chit Chat von Loopin Stab and Tony Whittaker has been released, and free to watch on their YouTube Channel. Six Months in Production The latest Stories of Our Town film has been six months in production, and runs to almost an hour, … More Shipwrecked Newcastle (2024) – Stories of Our Town Film Release