Australian History
Meet our Indigenous and colonial ancestors; go adventuring with early explorers, settlers and bushrangers; discover the importance of gold, sheep and minerals; learn about our Anzac traditions and the involvement in wars; unpack the turning points in Australia's nationhood and who were the movers and shakers from prime ministers to inventors to artists and discover the rich history of the Australian land and its peoples.
Available Classes
A Maritime History of the Torres Strait
<p>Scattered with coral reefs, crossing the Torres Strait was hazardous for early sailing ships as evidenced by hundreds of shipwrecks and loss of life. The first explorers such as Torres and Cook had
...
Available Classes
Using Maps in Local History Research
<p><strong>In Association with the Royal Australian Historical Society.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Adjunct Associate Professor Carol Liston AO</p>
<p>Discover how crown plans, parish
...
Available Classes
Sydney's Oldest Road - Parramatta Road
<p>During 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip reconnoitred several places before choosing the settlement of Rose Hill (Parramatta) as the most likely place for a successful large farm. Parramatta Road is
...Available Classes
Gold Rush!
<p>We look at the fascinating era of the Victorian gold rushes and the men and women who played their parts. We visit the Ophir diggings in NSW and the Sovereign Hill outdoor museum in Victoria. He we
...Available Classes
Bob Menzies' Prime Ministership
<p>Following the Second World War, Australians began to tire of austerity and rationing, wanting some reward for the privations of six years of war. There was a struggle being carried out in the
...Bob Menzies' Prime Ministership
<p>Following the Second World War, Australians began to tire of austerity and rationing, wanting some reward for the privations of six years of war. There was a struggle being carried out in the
...Available Classes
Exploring Historic Melbourne
<p>When John Batman reputedly said in 1835, "This is a place for a village", he probably did not envisage the exciting and marvellous city that has grown out of his village. We explore the Golden Mile
...
Available Classes
Sydney's Historic Harbour - Sydney Cove
<p>Sydney’s historic harbour offers us great opportunities for exploring our colonial heritage. Although Cook recorded the existence of the port in 1770, it was Arthur Phillip who explored the harbour
...Available Classes
Making Home: A Short History of Houses, Interiors and Gardens in NSW
<p><strong>In Association with the Royal Australian Historical Society.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Speaker:</strong> Dr Mathew Stephens</p>
<p>This workshop is an introduction to the sources that help us
...Available Classes
Capital Coats
<p>Each Australian capital city adopted formal Arms, some as early as 1843 (Melbourne) and some as late as a revised version in 1996 (Sydney). There are currently debates under way about changing the
...Available Classes
Seeker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy - The History of Espionage in Australia
<p>Whether they were known as spies or not, people were reporting their observations from this land from 1788: to rival European powers on strategic possibilities, to Britain on suspect Europeans, as
...Seeker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy - The History of Espionage in Australia
<p>Whether they were known as spies or not, people were reporting their observations from this land from 1788: to rival European powers on strategic possibilities, to Britain on suspect Europeans, as
...