Royal Australian Historical Society

09/11/2026

All aboard for a lively journey through Strathfield’s transport story!

Best known today for its busy railway station, Strathfield has also been home to some surprising transport firsts, including Australia’s first motorcycle race at Homebush.

Visit during library hours to discover how people, goods and ideas moved through the district over time, from early roads, stagecoaches, ferries and steamers to bicycles, motorcycles, freight, trams, buses, car yards, cars and even planes.

📅 On now until Sunday 6 December 2026
📍 Ironbark Gallery - Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub
🔗https://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/Play/Events-Calendar/Exhibition-and-History-Talk-Next-Stop-Strathfield

04/11/2026

RAHS Special Lecture – In Search of Mick Simmonds: An Aboriginal Family History

Steven Farram will present the RAHS Special Lecture online on 18 November 2026 at 1 pm (AEDT).

In 1915, my grandfather Mick Simmonds and other children were excluded from Nambucca Heads Primary School because of their Aboriginality. Mick lived and worked with his Aboriginal relatives in inner-city Sydney from the 1920s, eventually owning his own house in Redfern where he and my grandmother lived for the rest of their lives. However, he never told his daughter or grandchildren about what had happened in 1915. He never told us anything about our Aboriginal heritage. Researching this book has been a journey of discovery.

📅 Wednesday, 18 November 2026, at 1:00 pm (AEDT).
🖥 Online only via Zoom.
🎟 Free. All welcome! Booking required.
👉 https://www.rahs.org.au/shop/tickets-in-search-of-mick-simmonds/

02/11/2026

RAHS Day Lecture – The Rupturing and Rebuilding of Aboriginal Worlds in Victoria

Emeritus Professor Richard Broome will present the RAHS Day Lecture online on Wednesday, 4 November 2026 at 1 pm (AEDT).

This presentation begins with a brief discussion of the traditional world of First Nations peoples in Victoria through some of their land management techniques to glimpse what was before colonialism. It discusses the rupture of this world by legal, practical and moral claims made by colonisers; by the devastating impact of the frontier; and by the colonial policies that followed over 150+ years. It then examines Aboriginal agency and responses to colonisation to this day, focussing on case studies of individuals.

📅 Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at 1:00 pm (AEDT).
🖥 Online only via Zoom.
🎟 Free. All welcome! Booking required.

RAHS Day Lecture – The Rupturing and Rebuilding of Aboriginal Worlds in Victoria - Royal Australian Historical Society

02/11/2026

Congratulations to the 45 community organisations that have received funding through the Community Heritage Grants!

01/11/2026

Join acclaimed Australian sculptor Scott Edwards for an exclusive evening exploring the art of commemorative sculpture, from initial sketches and historical research through to bronze casting and final installation.

After the presentation, enjoy a special after-hours guided tour of the Anzac Memorial, offering unique insights into the artworks, symbolism, and stories embedded throughout the building.

📅 18 November 2026, 6:00pm-8:00pm
💲$35 per person, plus booking fee
📍 Anzac Memorial, Sydney

Reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/reflections-sculpting-remembrance-with-scott-edwards-tickets-2002484159025

29/10/2026

Discover a remarkable chapter of Australia’s wartime history at The Spot the War Forgot Talk & Exhibition.

Join author and artist Wendy Hamilton as she shares the story of the Berrima Internment Camp, known as Australia’s “show camp”, and explores how compassionate guards and detainees fostered a spirit of cooperation and peace during a time of conflict and prejudice.

After the talk, enjoy an exhibition of nine artworks inspired by photographs taken at the camp between 1915 and 1919, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of those interned there.

📅 Sunday 8 November 2026
🕚 11:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Anzac Memorial, Sydney
Reserve your now 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-spot-the-war-forgot-talk-exhibition-tickets-1998699604320

28/10/2026

Next Stop, Strathfield: Travel Through History

🚂 New Strathfield History Exhibition

Next Stop, Strathfield welcomes you ‘All Aboard’ for a lively journey through Strathfield’s transport story!

Discover how people, goods and ideas moved through the district over time, from early roads, stagecoaches, ferries and steamers to bicycles, motorcycles, freight, trams, buses, car yards, cars and even planes.

The exhibition is open until 6 December 2026 at the Ironbark Gallery, Strathfield Library, Rochester Street, Homebush, during library opening hours.

The exhibition is a collaboration between Strathfield Council and Strathfield-Homebush District Historical Society.

📖 History talks associated with the exhibition will be held on 1 November 2026:

- Cathy Jones will speak about Rookwood Cemetery’s Mortuary Station.

- Jenny MacRitchie will talk about surprising forms of transport associated with the Strathfield.

A light afternoon tea will be served. This is a free event but bookings are essential.

For more information: [email protected]

Get tickets on Humanitix - Next Stop, Strathfield: Travel Through History Talk hosted by Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub. Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub, 65 Rochester St, Homebush NSW 2140, Australia. Sunday 1st November 2026. Find event information.

27/10/2026

The Churchyard on the Hill: St Anne’s at Ryde

Join Kevin Shaw and Janice Eastment as they explore the history of St Anne’s churchyard and the people buried there.

Their richly illustrated publication brings together the complete burial register, cemetery maps, headstone transcriptions and biographies of more than 300 people. Discover the stories behind this historic Ryde cemetery and learn how this book can help bring its graves and forgotten lives to life.

This talk is presented by The Randwick & District Historical Society in collaboration with Randwick City Library.

For more information: [email protected]

📅 Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 1:00 pm.
📍 Vonnie Young Auditorium, Lionel Bowen Library, 669-673 Anzac Parade, Maroubra NSW 2035.
🎟 Free, but bookings are essential.

Join Kevin Shaw and Janice Eastment as they explore the fascinating history of St Anne’s churchyard and the people buried there.

25/10/2026

Applications are now open for Accompanying Teachers to join the 2027 Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship study tour.

Selected teachers will travel to Germany, Belgium and France during the 2027 Term 3 school holidays alongside a highly engaged group of NSW high school History students.

Accompanied by a military historian, participants will visit significant battlefields, war memorials, historic sites, and war graves to deepen their understanding of the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women.

This unique experience offers an exceptional professional development opportunity, while enabling teachers to support students through immersive, hands-on and site-specific learning opportunities.

For more information and how to apply, visit: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship/teachers/

22/10/2026

2026 Create NSW Local History Grants – Recipients Announced

The recipients of the 2026 Create NSW Local History Grants were announced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

This was our most competitive grant round to date, with a record 52 applications and more than $247,000 in funding requested. A total of $65,000 + GST has been awarded to 22 projects across NSW.

This year’s successful projects reflect the wonderful range of historical work happening across NSW. More than 80% focus on regional areas, with projects ranging from publications and oral histories to digitising archives and creating heritage walking guides.

Our thanks to Create NSW for its ongoing support of the program, which helps historical societies and community organisations across the State to uncover, preserve and share the stories that make up the NSW's rich history.

2026 Local History Grants - Recipients Announced - Royal Australian Historical Society