History Seminars

The History Council of Victoria runs a series of free seminars at the State Library to showcase new historical scholarship. The events are open to all interested members of the public.

The Making Public Histories Seminar Series is offered jointly by the Monash University Institute for Public History, the History Council of Victoria and the State Library of Victoria.

Thursday 20 November

Exhibiting Melbourne: The city in the museum

Visitors to Melbourne can now interpret the city’s history and culture through a range of galleries and exhibitions, including the City Museum, National Sports Museum, Immigration Museum, the State Library’s exhibition The changing face of Victoria and Museum Victoria’s Melbourne Story. This discussion will feature Deakin University museologist Linda Young, Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Graeme Davison and museum practitioners including Deborah Tout-Smith of Museum Victoria.
Time: 5.30-7pm
Venue: Seminar room 1 (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: Not required

Thursday 16 October

Creating Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes

Amanda Bacon of Heritage Victoria, Sandy Blair from consultancy firm Context and Renate Howe of the Heritage Council will discuss a current project that aims to develop a framework of historical themes for assessment, management, promotion and interpretation of Victoria’s heritage places and objects.
Time: 5.30-7pm
Venue: Seminar room 1 (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: Not required

Thursday 4 September

Unlocking the medieval imagination: Living history and public culture

The State Library’s recent exhibition The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand drew capacity audiences and created links with medieval music, art and re-enactment groups and the universities. Shane Carmody, the Library’s Director of Collections and Access, and Professor Constant Mews, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology at Monash University, will reflect on the public nature of the history celebrated through the exhibition.
Time: 5.30-7pm
Venue: Seminar room 1 (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: Not required

Thursday 24 July

The Tail Wagging the Dog? Oral history, digital storytelling and old media

There is a proliferation of websites devoted to individual and community storytelling, from digital autobiographies to sites for sharing personal stories. Michelle Rayner, who produces oral-history radio programs at ABC Radio National, will discuss the implications of digital/online storytelling for her own practice.
Time: 5.30-7pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: Not required

For more information about History Council events visit the History Council of Victoria's website. Future seminar suggestions to alistair.thomson@arts.monash.edu.au or 03 9905 9785.