2024 RAHS Conference
Windows into Local History
Campbelltown Catholic Club, 26–27 October 2024
Local history, with its intimate view of the past, is a key to understanding the interconnectedness of history at all levels. It reveals how global and national events have shaped local communities and how local events have contributed to the Australian story.
The 2024 RAHS History Conference will be a fantastic opportunity to engage with local history and discover what it can reveal about your community. The conference will take place in Campbelltown, on the traditional lands of the Dharawal People. It is the perfect site for our conference as the region’s rich tapestry of heritage sites, landmarks, and festivals reflects the development and diversity of NSW. The annual Fisher’s Ghost Festival also provides a unique window into how Australians engage with local legends and folklore over time.
We are sure you will enjoy the RAHS Conference program and exploring Campbelltown’s museums and historical sites. The RAHS Conference website includes ideas to make the most of your visit to Campbelltown.
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Program and Bookings
Conference Program
Conference attendees will be treated to sessions that engage with the 2024 Conference Theme – Windows into Local History.
There will be plenty of opportunities to network with RAHS members and friends, especially at the pre-conference event on Friday, 25 October, which will be hosted by the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society at the Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Download the 2024 Conference Program to learn more.
Conference Bookings – Closed
We look forward to seeing conference delegates in Campbelltown.
The Green showing the trees planted by Alderman J.T. Bottin, c.1910 (Image Courtesy CAHS)
The Lesley Muir Address
About the Lesley Muir Address
In June 2012, the RAHS Council agreed that the keynote address to all RAHS Conferences would be named after Lesley Muir OAM and would be considered for publication. This acknowledges Lesley’s contribution to the RAHS and local history in Australia.
Learn more about the Lesley Muir Address and past addresses.
2024 Lesley Muir Address
Emeritus Professor Mark McKenna FAHA
Writing a ‘Local’ History of Australia
In early 2022, Mark McKenna set out to write a short history of Australia, which will be published late next year by Black Inc. In this year’s Lesley Muir Address, he will explain how local history will form the foundation of his history of Australia.
All too often, history is filed according to its geographical span – local, regional, state, national or global – as if certain histories are only of interest to certain readers. But how can we challenge and enlarge our view of Australian history by dismantling these boundaries? And how might close observation of local history help to radically shift our understanding of the writing of Australian history?
Mark McKenna is one of Australia’s leading historians. He is Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney and the Australian National University. He is the author of several prize-winning books, including From the Edge: Australia’s Lost Histories, Looking for Blackfellas’ Point and An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark, which won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for nonfiction and the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian premiers’ awards. His latest book, Return to Uluru, won the Northern Territory History Prize and was shortlisted for the Australian History Prize in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Conference Events and Tours
Welcome Reception – Friday, 25 October, 5.30 to 7.00 pm
Join conference delegates, members of the CAHS and guests for pre-conference drinks at the Campbelltown Arts Centre. The Arts Centre, owned by the people of Campbelltown and supported by the Campbelltown City Council and Create NSW, showcases contemporary visual arts, performance, dance, and music. This venue has deep connections to the local community. It is the perfect place to kick off our conference and celebrate the connection between local history and contemporary culture.
Campbelltown Heritage Walking Tour – Saturday, 26 October, 3.30 to 5.00 pm
Explore the rich tapestry of Campbelltown’s history through an engaging walking tour led by an experienced local guide. Discover hidden stories, historical landmarks, and the vibrant past that shaped the history of this country town. This tour offers a unique glimpse into Campbelltown’s heritage and is a must for anyone who appreciates heritage architecture.
Note: Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring a bottle of water. A good level of fitness and mobility is required.
Depart from Campbelltown Visitor Centre, Quondong, 15 Old Menangle Road, Campbelltown.
Campbelltown Heritage Highlights Bus Tour – Saturday, 26 October, 3.30 to 5.00 pm
Discover Campbelltown’s rich history of colonial settlement and the assortment of heritage properties that have helped form the city’s character for over 200 years. On this escorted driving tour, you will see some of Campbelltown’s early colonial buildings and hear tales of explorers, pioneers and early townsfolk as you tour through the heritage highlights of the city.
Depart from Campbelltown Visitor Centre, Quondong, 15 Old Menangle Road, Campbelltown.
Glenalvon Historic House Tour – Saturday, 26 October, 3.30 to 4.30 pm
Explore Glenalvon House during a tour led by guides from the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society. Glenalvon was built by Michael Byrne, son of Wicklow rebel/patriot Hugh ‘Vesty’ Byrne, c.1841 and consists of the two-storey main house, the earlier Servants Quarters, and a Victorian Coach House and Stables.
Note: Glenalvon House is a 20-minute walk from the conference venue. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation. Located at 8 Lithgow Street, Campbelltown.
Commercial Bank, Queen Street, 1880 (Image Courtesy CAHS)
Transport and Accommodation
Campbelltown is a vibrant historic city located on Dharawal Country in South Western Sydney. It is on a train line that services regional and metropolitan areas, including Sydney’s Domestic Airport. The city offers a wide variety of accommodation options.
Transport
For information related to transport and travel, check the Visit Campbelltown website.
Car
Campbelltown is about a 1-hour drive southwest of Sydney and 40 minutes from Sydney Airport.
Sydney – 1 hr
Canberra – 2 hrs + 30 mins
Central Coast – 2 hrs
Wollongong – 49 mins
Train and Bus
Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink operate regular services to train stations in Campbelltown for travellers coming from the Southern Highlands, the Greater Sydney region and Sydney Airport.
The Campbelltown Catholic Club is a 20-minute walk from Campbelltown Railway Station. Public buses travel to Koshigaya Park, a short walk from the venue. Taxi services are also available.
Accommodation
Visit Campbelltown provides a variety of accommodation options, as do websites such as airbnb.com.au, wotif.com, booking.com, trivago.com.au and lastminute.com.au.
Please note: The RAHS makes no specific recommendations and conference attendees are responsible for making accommodation bookings to meet personal requirements.
Campbelltown Railway Station, c.1916 (Image Courtesy CAHS)
Things to See and Do
We are sure you will enjoy exploring Campbelltown’s local attractions, including it museums, galleries and historical sites.
Click the images below to learn about things to see and do around Campbelltown.
Learn About Campbelltown's History
In addition to our selection of sources, you can find other resources on Campbelltown’s history at:
- Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society
- Local Studies Collection, HJ Daley Library
- Museums of History NSW, State Archives Collection
- National Library of Australia’s Trove database.
Click the images below to learn about Campbelltown’s history.
Certificate of Achievement Nominations
The Certificates of Achievement recognise members of affiliated societies whose contributions are significant and noteworthy. In 2023, we awarded Certificates for contributions to publications, research, event organisation, archival, museum and financial management, volunteering, and online initiatives. This year’s awards will be presented at the 2024 RAHS Conference in Campbelltown.
All nominations must be in writing and show one or more of the following:
- Comprehensive evidence of achievement
- Quality of service
- Significant support (financial or benefit-in-kind).
Candidates for the award must be nominated by a member of an affiliated society and be approved by either a general meeting, an executive meeting or a specially convened subcommittee. The presiding President and Secretary (or other appropriate office bearer) must also sign the nomination.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, 20 September 2024. Nominations should be emailed to admin@rahs.org.au.
Successful society applicants will be notified before the conference so that arrangements can be made for their presentation.
Click the images below to learn about past recipients of the Certificates of Achievement.
RAHS members visit St Peter’s Church in Campbelltown on 27 June 1942 (RAHS Collection).