RAHS Latest News
Community Heritage Grants 2024
What are the Community Heritage Grants? The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program supports community-based organisations to identify and care for Australian cultural heritage collections which are publicly accessible, locally held and nationally significant. The CHG program commenced in 1994, and we are delighted to be marking our 30th anniversary this year. How we can help The CHG supports small, local groups with limited funding and staffing resources, who would benefit from access to...
‘Who Travels by Train Sees NSW Best’: The Role of Railways in the Progress of NSW
A workshop with the Australian Railway Historical Society and WEA Sydney Railways are often overlooked for the significant role they played, and continue to play, in the development of NSW and Australia. Most of us have some association or connection to railways, even if it is just to get us to and from work. But did you know that since 1855, railways have shaped the economic, social, technological, industrial and political development of our society? This workshop will explore this story and...
Alice Hazel King (1908-1997)
Written by Melina Apostolidis, RAHS Volunteer To celebrate Women’s History Month in 2024, the Royal Australian Historical Society will continue our work from previous years to highlight Australian women who have contributed to our history in various and meaningful ways. You can browse the women featured on our Women’s History Month webpage. Alice Hazel King was an Australian historian and the first woman elected President of the Royal Australian Historical Society from 1982–1984. Her research...
Hambledon Cottage: Celebrating 200 Years
A History Milestone Is Being Celebrated! Hambledon Cottage will be celebrating its Bicentenary on 13th April. This is a significant milestone for this remarkable Parramatta landmark, once owned by pioneers John Macarthur and Elizabeth Macarthur, founders of the fine wool industry in Australia. Parramatta and District Historical Society, custodians of this extraordinary colonial heritage site, will present a week of community activities, including a Bicentennial Day celebration, house tours, a...
Florence Mary Taylor née Parsons (1879-1969)
Written by Judith Dunn OAM, RAHS Councillor To celebrate Women’s History Month in 2024, the Royal Australian Historical Society will continue our work from previous years to highlight Australian women who have contributed to our history in various and meaningful ways. You can browse the women featured on our Women’s History Month webpage. Florence Parsons arrived in Parramatta in 1884 at the age of 4 years from Somerset, England, with her parents John, a stone quarryman and Eliza, a...
2024 Annual General Meeting Papers and Agenda
Vacy to Gresford – People and Places
Paterson Historical Society to launch new book: Vacy to Gresford – People and Places The Paterson Historical Society's new book, Vacy to Gresford – People and Places, will be launched on Sunday, 17 March 2024, by Mr Dave Layzell MP, Member for Upper Hunter. The book was written by Society member and long-time historian Dr Brian Walsh. It covers the people and places along the Paterson and Allyn Rivers between Vacy and Gresford. The book reveals how a whole new European society emerged along...
Closure of Griffith Genealogical and Historical Society
Written by Christine Gavin (President, Griffith Genealogical and Historical Society) There was an end of an era when the Griffith Genealogical and Historical Society closed its doors at the end of December 2023 after 42 years. Over time, it became more and more difficult to get members to run the Society due to the ages and medical issues of the active members, and our membership was dwindling. The majority of our assets and resources have been donated to the Griffith City Library. Many...
Beyond the Digital Horizon: Trove, Libraries and Archives
2024 Central Coast Regional Seminar Beyond the Digital Horizon: Trove, Libraries and Archives Saturday, 2 March 2024, 10 am to 3.30 pm Gosford City Lions Community Hall, East Gosford The RAHS is pleased to share that we will be returning to Gosford in March to stage another regional seminar with the Central Coast Family History Society. Last year’s seminar was such a success, we just had to go back with a new program. The focus of the 2024 seminar will be ways to research ‘beyond the digital...
Invitation to anniversary at Camp Cove, 21 January 2024
The Woollahra History and Heritage Society invite you to the anniversary of the first landing The Woollahra History and Heritage Society (WHHS) invites you to the anniversary of the first landing of Captain Arthur Phillip RN on 21st January 1788 in Sydney Harbour at Camp Cove after rowing from Botany Bay. This event is on Sunday, 21st January 2024 at 6.00 pm, at Governor Phillip’s Memorial Monument*, top end Pacific Street, Laings Point, Camp Cove, Watsons Bay. Join us, bring friends, a rug...
Write yourself into history: Legal Deposit at the National Library of Australia
Write yourself into history As a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society, you’ve almost certainly discovered the wealth of the State Library of New South Wales collections as well as those of the National Library of Australia. Perhaps you’ve whiled away many hours making discoveries on Trove. Did you know that a large proportion of these collections were built through legal deposit? Legal deposit is a law which has been in place in Australia in various forms since the 19th century....
Vision to Members – Bridging the Past and Present: A New Chapter in Historical Scholarship
Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society Vision to Members – Bridging the Past and Present: A New Chapter in Historical Scholarship Dear RAHS Colleagues, It is with great enthusiasm that I take on the role of Editor for the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society (JRAHS). As we celebrate our storied history and look to the future, I am excited to announce an evolution in our mission — one that bridges the gap between the traditional and the contemporary, between...
RAHS Weekly News Round-Up