In colonial Australia, Brunswick baby farmer Frances Thwaites – hung for her alleged crimes in 1894 – was as notorious as Ned Kelly. Her tragic life inspired Kellinde Wrightson to write a historical true crime novel, The Notorious Frances Thwaites (Brandl & Schlesinger): the first in a trilogy. Here, Kellinde explains how she researched Frances’ life and times – and why she … Read on
Though tricky to trace in the historical record, the businesswomen of colonial Sydney led fruitful and fascinating lives, as historian Catherine Bishop – author of Minding Her Own Business: Colonial Businesswomen in Sydney – tells Sarah Trevor. IHM: What inspired you to research colonial businesswomen in Sydney? Catherine: They kept inconveniently popping up! I was … Read on
Convict hominy to grand Regency feasts, exotic spices to native foods – historically speaking, Australia’s culinary culture is more bountiful than you might think. In our current Nov-Dec issue, Inside History chats to Jacqui Newling, resident gastronomer at Sydney Living Museums and author of Eat Your History, about Australia’s collective food history. Here’s a preview of … Read on
Researching the histories of the disadvantaged is more challenging than researching the fortunate, Dr Tanya Evans tells Sarah Trevor – but also more fascinating. In this extended interview, Tanya tells us more about her new book, Fractured Families: Life on the Margins in Colonial New South Wales (NewSouth). IHM: What inspired you to start researching and writing about the … Read on
Beyond the big hair, shoulder pads and iconic moments, the 1980s were a time of transition in Australian history. Historian Frank Bongiorno, Associate Professor of History at the Australian National University, tells us more about this crucial period and his new book The Eighties – The Decade that Transformed Australia (Black Inc. Books). IHM: What originally drew … Read on
In the latest issue of Inside History, issue 29, we share an excerpt from the book In All Respects Ready: Australia’s Navy in World War One (by Oxford University Press), which explores the important role that the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train played in Gallipoli a century ago. Here, Inside History chats to David Stevens, the book’s author – and … Read on
The journal of surgeon Arthur Bowes Smyth, who travelled onboard the Lady Penrhyn convict ship, reveals much about the First Fleet voyage, attitudes to female convicts and life in the early settlement, says author David Hill. Here, he tells Sarah Trevor about his new book, First Fleet Surgeon: The Voyage of Arthur Bowes Smyth, published by the National … Read on
Women didn’t fight in the Eureka Stockade – or did they? NIB Waverly Library Award winner for 2014 Clare Wright chats to Sarah Trevor about restoring women’s place in Eureka and beyond. What attracts you to stories about women in Australian history? I’ve always been drawn to the margins. Women are not in themselves marginal, but … Read on
The nurses who served in World War I faced many challenges on the front, says researcher and author Christine Bramble – and it’s only recently that their invaluable contributions to the war effort have received the attention they deserve. In the latest issue of Inside History, we chat to Christine, author of Sisters of the Valley: … Read on
Awarding winning children’s author Jackie French and illustrator Bruce Whatley have created a beautiful children’s book with a focus on the events that occurred and the soldiers that passed through Gallipoli Beach from April to December 1915. Inside History chats with French and Whatley about their research. Click here to read more about The Beach They … Read on