This year marks the centenary in Australia of the ‘pneumonic influenza’ pandemic, popularly known as the 'Spanish flu'. Advances in chemistry, laboratory techniques, and equipment revolutionised medicine in the nineteenth century. Old ideas of infectious disease were gradually replaced by improved understanding of bacteriology and germ theory, leading to a new era of "scientific medicine” and a confidence in disease managed. Yet the challenges for "scientific medicine” were not over in the twentieth century, since pandemics and epidemics were still to take their toll on communities.

The panel of historians at this seminar will share their insights into three major health crises that affected Victorians during the twentieth century: Spanish flu, Polio and AIDS.

Bookings for this free event are now open.  To reserve your seat, click on the RSVP button at the foot of this page.

'Spanish flu: mother of all infections' - Mary Sheehan, Living History

Mary Sheehan is a member of the Living History team. She is a professional historian with 30 years’ experience in heritage, oral and commissioned histories, and is now a PhD candidate focusing on the 1919 Spanish influenza pandemic in Melbourne. 

'The terror of polio' - Professor Janet McCalman, The University of Melbourne

Janet McCalman AC is the author of three award-winning books: Struggletown, Journeyings and Sex and Suffering and for eight years she wrote a fortnightly column in The Age. In recent years she has been working on cradle-to-grave studies of historical cohorts: first, babies born in Melbourne’s Women’s Hospital 1857-1900; second, Aboriginal Victorians 1840-1985; third on convicts transported to Tasmania 1803-1852 (Founders and Survivors); and currently on men who returned to Australia after serving in World War I (Diggers to Veterans).

She is working on a book about the former convicts who settled in Victoria—a hidden story of secrets and lies. She is a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne.

'Community activism and the AIDS crisis in Victoria' - Lucy Bracey, Way Back When Consulting Historians

Lucy Bracey is a historian with Way Back When Consulting Historians and co-author of several commissioned histories including ‘Under the Red Ribbon: Thirty Years of the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre’.

The seminar will be chaired by Dr Kathleen Neal, Monash University.

Children with polio having a school lesson on the sundeck of the Frankston Children's Hospital, Jackson's Road, Mt. Eliza
Photographer: Lyle Fowler (1891-1969), Commercial Photographic Co.
Image credit: State Library Victoria, www.slv.vic.gov.au

With thanks to the series sponsors, Monash University Publishing and the Monash University History Program:

and to the organising partners:

The seminar is part of an ongoing series, Making Public Histories, that is offered jointly by the Monash University History Program, the History Council of Victoria and the Old Treasury Building. Each seminar aims to explore issues and approaches in making public histories. The seminars are open, free of charge, to anyone interested in the creation and impact of history in contemporary society. Click HERE to learn about other events in the series.

Oral historians from three exciting contemporary projects - all commended in the Oral History Victoria Awards for 2018 - will share their experience of making imaginative oral history in different media and how they coped with the technical, ethical or historical challenges posed in the creation of living histories. 

Kirby Fenwick's audio documentary ‘The First Friday in February‘ tells the story of the first AFLW game, between Collingwood and Carlton in February 2017, through the memories of women who were in the stands. 

Lee Valentine and Ryan Gustafsson produced Call Me by My Name, a series of moving and insightful podcasts with 10 trans and gender diverse people in and around Melbourne. 

Rose Turtle Ertler's Light at the End is an oral history performance work where Rose asks refugees living in Victoria to respond to two intriguing questions, about a moment of light in their life and about what makes you strong. 

Alistair Thomson, President of Oral History Australia, will facilitate the discussion. This seminar is run jointly with Oral History Victoria.

Bookings for this free event will open on 1 May 2019.

Pictured at the Oral History Victoria Awards announcement in 2018 are, from left: Rose Turtle Ertler, Ryan Gustafsson, Lee Valentine and Kirby Fenwick.

Image credit: Oral History Victoria

With thanks to the series sponsors, Monash University Publishing and the Monash University History Program:

and to the organising partners:

The seminar is part of an ongoing series, Making Public Histories, that is offered jointly by the Monash University History Program, the History Council of Victoria and the Old Treasury Building. Each seminar aims to explore issues and approaches in making public histories. The seminars are open, free of charge, to anyone interested in the creation and impact of history in contemporary society. Click HERE to learn about other events in the series.

With 2019 designated as the UN's International Year of Indigenous Languages, this public event will explore the destruction, survival, recovery and use of Victorian indigenous languages, and the use of Indigenous language in historical research and production. 

Aunty Lee Healy (Dhagung Wurrung Elder and Education Officer/Linguist at the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages) will reflect on her work in the recovery and use of a Victorian Indigenous language. 

Alice Gaby (Associate Professor in Linguistics at Monash University) will consider the broader history and future of Indigenous languages around Australia. 

Richard Broome (Emeritus Professor of History at La Trobe University) will consider the effects of European settlement on indigenous languages and how historians might use recovered languages.

Alistair Thomson, President of Oral History Australia, will facilitate the discussion.

Bookings for this free seminar will open on 1 July 2019.

With thanks to the series sponsors, Monash University Publishing and the Monash University History Program:

and to the organising partners:

The seminar is part of an ongoing series, Making Public Histories, that is offered jointly by the Monash University History Program, the History Council of Victoria and the Old Treasury Building. Each seminar aims to explore issues and approaches in making public histories. The seminars are open, free of charge, to anyone interested in the creation and impact of history in contemporary society. Click HERE to learn about other events in the series.

This seminar explores the role of historians in place-making and heritage projects. Such projects can result in fresh interpretations of historic sites. Historians help preserve and reveal evidence of the past alongside new modes of access, adaptive re-use, and (re)development.

Historians contribute research, analysis and insights to the development of heritage sites and places of historic significance. Their knowledge can help to maintain heritage values that are already recognised. Historians are also experts in discovering new information that contributes to our understanding of a place.

While place-making can enable new forms of community engagement, it can also be controversial. There may be losses alongside the gains. The historian’s advice is not always heeded. Heritage projects usually require compromises. Many perspectives and demands may influence the final outcome.

A panel of speakers shares some of the highs and lows of their experiences in this field. Panellists will then respond to questions from each other and the audience.

This seminar is presented for the Australian Heritage Festival as part of the 2019 'Making Public Histories' series, offered by Monash University, History Council of Victoria and Old Treasury Building.

The seminar will be chaired by Emeritus Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Graeme Davison AO FAH FASS, of Monash University and the History Council of Victoria.

Bookings for this free event will open immediately after the launch of the Australian Heritage Festival program.

With thanks to the series sponsors, Monash University Publishing and the Monash University History Program:

and to the organising partners:

The seminar is part of an ongoing series, Making Public Histories, that is offered jointly by the Monash University History Program, the History Council of Victoria and the Old Treasury Building. Each seminar aims to explore issues and approaches in making public histories. The seminars are open, free of charge, to anyone interested in the creation and impact of history in contemporary society. Click HERE to learn about other events in the series.

The 2018 Making Public Histories seminar series was presented as a joint initiative of Monash University, the Old Treasury Building and the History Council of Victoria.

The series was generously supported by the three partner organisations and sponsored by the School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies at Monash University. Gifts for the speakers were kindly donated by Old Treasury Building and Monash University Publishing.

Here is an outline of the seminars:

Tuesday 6 March 2018

Tuesday 8 May 2018

Material Culture: Stories from Objects

Presenters:
Sarah Hayes, Deakin University
Margaret Anderson, Old Treasury Building

Convenor:
Margaret Birtley, History Council of Victoria

Click HERE for further information.

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Wikipedia and history

Dr Mary Tomsic, The University of Melbourne 
Justine Clark, co-founder of Parlour; women, equity, architecture
Associate Professor Murray Phillips, The University of Queensland

Convenor:
Pru Mitchell, President of Wikimedia Australia

Click HERE for further information.

Tuesday 10 July 2018

Making Aboriginal histories

Presenters:
Alexandra Roginski, Australian National University
Dr Billy Griffiths, Deakin University
Dr Shannon Faulkhead, Museums Victoria and Monash University

Convenor:
Professor Lynette Russell FRHistS FASSA, Monash University

Click HERE for further information.

Tuesday 28 August 2018

History and Fiction

Presenters:
Dr Linda Weste, The University of Melbourne
Dr Kelly Gardiner, La Trobe University
Dr Ali Alidazeh, Monash University

Convenor:
Dr Kathleen Neal, Monash University

Click HERE for further information.

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Curating the Anzac Centenaries: War, Memory and the Museum

Presenters:
Jean McAuslan, Shrine of Remembrance
Deborah Tout-Smith, Museums Victoria

Convenor:
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Click HERE for further information.

2 March 2018

The History Council of Victoria (HCV) is pleased to advise that Australian Scholarly Publishing has released a history of state secondary schooling in Victoria by John Andrews and Deborah Towns.

The authors have prepared two separate publications:

• ‘A secondary education for all’?: A History of State Secondary Schooling in Victoria, and
  
  
• Unlocking the Past: What Stories Does Your School Have to Reveal?

The HCV commissioned the authors to write a centenary history of post-primary state education in Victoria, then provided support to Australian Scholarly for its publication. The resulting volumes were released in late February 2018 with a foreword by Dr Adrian Jones OAM, a former Chair of the HCV.

Australian Scholarly has kindly offered the HCV Friends a substantial discount on the recommended retail price for each book. The discounted prices ($30 and $16.50) include postage within Australia.

Use this order form to obtain your own copies of these two significant volumes.

Polish Your Presentation Skills Workshop - HTAV Members Event

An exclusive offer for Friends of the HCV

When:            Tuesday, 13 February 2018, 4.00 pm – 6.30 pm

Where:           Melbourne Grammar School

Presenter:      Dr Deb Hull, Executive Officer of the HTAV

Cost:               $25.00

Registrations close:  Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Click HERE to download the booking form.

About the Workshop...

Want to be a more memorable and charismatic public speaker?

Sure, you can talk to students and close colleagues. But perhaps you still get nervous about presenting to your peers. Or you’d like to present at a conference but you’re hesitating. Maybe you have (or aspire to) a leadership role where you need to present to large gatherings of people

Join Dr Hull for a workshop which will improve your skills and banish your nerves, and all without losing your own authentic style. You will cover the three pillars of great oral presentations:

• Organising your content so that your audience absorbs and remembers it.
• Choosing your non-verbal communication.
• Using visual content to enhance (and not compete with) your narrative.

It will be fun, fast-paced and relevant. You WILL use what you learn. And by the time you leave you’ll have your next speech, workshop or lesson plan completely sorted!

Just a 10 minute tram trip from Flinders Street Station, this event is not to be missed.

On 19 October 2017, friends and supporters of the HCV gathered at the Old Treasury Building in Melbourne for the official launch of the Friends of the History Council of Victoria.

The HCV Chair, Dr Liz Rushen, welcomed guests and introduced the guest speaker, Professor Emeritus Stuart Macintyre AO, FAHA, FASSA, the HCV’s first Chair and one of Australia’s most influential historians. Professor Macintyre is currently the Chair of the Heritage Council of Victoria. His talk was entitled 'History and Heritage'; here is the abstract: 

Heritage is in the news as Melbourne’s growth threatens places that people want to keep. History, an awareness and appreciation of the past, receives less attention. How might Victorians make more of their history?

A vote of thanks was then proposed by HCV Board member Garrie Hutchinson. 

LISTEN NOW! If you missed the event, or want to hear the speeches again, you can listen via this link:

L-R above: Garrie Hutchinson, Dr Liz Rushen (current HCV Chair), Diane Gardiner AM (past Chair of the HCV) and Professor Stuart Macintyre AO (inaugural HCV Chair).

The launch was part of History Week in Victoria.

These photos from the event capture the enthusiasm and attentiveness of everyone on the night:

The 2017 Making Public Histories seminar series was presented as a joint initiative of Monash University, the Old Treasury Building and the History Council of Victoria.

The series was generously supported by the three partner organisations and sponsored by the School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies at Monash University. Gifts for the speakers were kindly donated by Old Treasury Building and Monash University Publishing.

Here is an outline of the seminars:

Performing Refugee History: Voices from Contemporary Australia

Speakers / performers:
Michael Green
Stephanie Arnold 

Convenor: 
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Click here to learn more

Tuesday 2 May 2017

Reinterpreting Heritage Houses: Re-imagining Rippon Lea

Speakers:
Martin Green, National Trust of Australia (Vic)
Emeritus Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Graeme Davison AO, Monash University
Dr Linda Young, Deakin University

Convenor: 
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Click here to learn more

Tuesday 6 June 2017

Making Digital Aural History: Australian Lives: An Intimate History  

Speakers:
Anisa Puri, President, Oral History NSW
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Convenor: 
Professor Christina Twomey, Monash University

Click here to learn more

Monday 24 July 2017

Slavery and its Legacies

Speakers:
Professor Manisha Sinha, Draper Chair in American History, University of Connecticut
Dr Clare Corbould, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Monash University

Convenor: 
Professor Christina Twomey, Monash University

Click here to learn more

Tuesday 3 October 2017

The Medieval Past in Melbourne

Speakers:
Professor Stephanie Trigg, The University of Melbourne
Dr Felix Nobis, Monash University
Dr Helen Young, La Trobe University)

Convenor:
Dr Kathleen Neal, Monash University

Click here to learn more

Tuesday 5 December 2017

1917: Melbourne at War

Speakers:
Professor Joy Damousi, The University of Melbourne
Adjunct Professor Judith Smart, RMIT University

Convenor: 
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University

Click here to learn more

The History Council of Victoria (HCV) has completed a number of projects that promote history and heritage. These include:

Advocacy about current issues to decision-makers in government (ongoing)

Drought Stories: A Spoken and Visual History of the Current Drought in Victoria, 2009-2010

One Place, Many Stories, a digital learning resource for middle to upper primary students, 2011-2016

Sponsorship of the annual Historical Fiction Competition for Year 9 and Year 10 students, since 2015

The HCV also delivers an annual program of events, including:

Annual Lecture, sharing fresh thinking and new evidence on an historical topic, since 2004

History Roadshow for VCE history students in rural and regional Victoria, with support from the Department of Education and Training since 2006

Making Public Histories, a series of free seminars, since 2008

Each project requires resources, so please contact us if you are able to support our work or would like to discuss commissioning a new project.