Working as a freelance and/or oral historian in NSW

PHA-OHA Event: Working as a freelance historian and/or oral historian in NSW

Image courtesy State Library of NSW

The Professional Historians Association of NSW-ACT and Oral History Association of NSW have partnered to bring you an informative discussion about working as a freelance historian and/or oral historian. You are invited to hear from three experienced freelancers, who will hopefully answer many of your questions, such as:

• How do I set myself up to work as a freelance/consultant historian?
• Can you provide some advice on those boring practicalities such as tax, insurance, and an ABN?
• How do I get work and clients?
• Should I be promoting myself on social media such as LinkedIn?
• What are some of the pros and cons of being a freelancer?

The session will be chaired by the PHA NSW-ACT President Dr Naomi Parry Duncan, who currently works as a freelance historian.

Panel members:

Dr Martina Mueller – Storialines

Dr Martina Muller is a professional historian who has worked in Sydney’s heritage sector for over a decade. After her employment at heritage consultancies such as GBA and NBRS, she set out on her own four years ago and now works as a freelance historian in NSW and adjacent states. Her main areas of expertise are research and writing for heritage and developing content for interpretive media. Martina has been actively involved in the PHA NSW & ACT, recently serving four years as treasurer, which has proved invaluable for her career.

Dr Paul Irish – Coast History and Heritage

Paul Irish is a historian and director of consultancy Coast History and Heritage. He started working about 25 years ago as an archaeological consultant specialising in Aboriginal heritage, working for other consultancies and also running his own projects as a ‘sole trader’ business. After training as a historian, he set up Coast History and Heritage as a company employing both historians and archaeologists to undertake both heritage and history projects. Since 2024, Paul has hung up his trowel to focus fully on working as an Aboriginal history consultant, working collaboratively with Aboriginal community members, particularly in the Sydney area.

Dr Margaret Leask – Oral History Association of NSW

Formerly an arts administrator in London and Sydney, Margaret has worked as a freelance oral historian and performing arts historian since 2004. Her first project included 80 interviews for the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). She researches and records oral history interviews for the National Library of Australia, State Library of NSW, National Film and Sound Archive, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Opera House. She has also recorded interviews for the Australian Theatre for Young People, Parramatta City Council and for the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, which resulted in the 2021 publication of Warwick Ross: Making Music, based on a 36-hour oral history interview.

This event is free for all PHA and OHA members (including those outside of NSW and the ACT).

When: 3 March 2025 at 5.30 – 7.15 pm
Where: History House, 133 Macquarie Street, Sydney AND online
Registration: https://www.phansw.org.au/upcoming-events/
Cost: Members Free. Non-members $10.