History Week 2021 (online)
From the Ground Up
This is an archive page of History Week 2021.
The Inner West has been home to a rich tapestry of grassroots community groups that have achieved amazing things from the ground up.
Some groups continue to thrive and survive others have served their purpose and delivered a better result and outcome for their community.
We celebrate these local community groups this History week for their dedication and hard work to achieve outcomes for the benefit of the wider community.
From the Ground Up Forefront of Gay and Lesbian activism
Robyn Plaister, renowned activist for feminist and lesbian rights and inspiration for the ABC TV show The Riot, talks about her life as an activist.
Transcript (PDF 228.3KB) Transcript (DOCX 33.5KB)
For more information on CAMP Inc go to https://www.pridehistory.org.au/camp-ink
Online exhibitions selected from the archives of the Inner West Library and History collection.
From the Ground Up Interview with the Federation of Italian Migrants (FILEF)
President Claudio Marcello and Secretary Bruno Dibiase reflect on the activities and activism of FILEF and discuss their human rights achievements over five decades from Migration for Aboriginal Rights to fighting for migrant worker's rights.
Transcript (PDF 81.7KB) Transcript (DOCX 28.8KB)
For more information on current activities of FILEF go to https://filefaustralia.org/
Online exhibitions selected from the archives of the Inner West Council Library and History collection.
Many Little Voices: Raising multicultural communities in the Inner West - Addison Road History Centre
A podcast about the creation of strong multicultural communities from the sandpit up. We examine the historic role of Addison Road Childcare Centre in Marrickville, one of the first multi-cultural childcare centres, opened by prime minister Bob Hawke in 1988. Produced by Addison Road Community Organisation and Huna Amweero from Radio Skid Row, with support from an Inner West Multicultural Celebration Day grant.
Moratorium: when Sydney filled the streets to stop a war
An online exhibition from Addison Road's Living Museum on the moratorium marches that sought to stop Australian involvement in the Vietnam War 50 years ago.
Online exhibition from 4 September 2021.
Author Matt Murphy discusses his new book RUM: A Distilled History of Colonial Australia
Wednesday 15 September 6.30-7.30pm
Rum: A Distilled History of Colonial Australia looks at the formation of Australia through the distorted view of a rum bottle. Brimming with detailed research and irreverent character sketches, Rum looks at not just how much was drunk in colonial Australia (a lot!), but also the lengths people went to get their hands on it, the futile efforts of the early governors to control it, and the ten disastrous and/or absurd consequences of its consumption.
Online event: Register here
Mental Health from the Ground Up: Pioneering Consumer Activists Who Changed Mental Health
The Research Group on the History of Community Mental Health at the University of Sydney invites you: Saturday 11 September 2-4pm
Until the 1970s, mental health care was provided by mental hospitals where conditions were dire. In the 1980s, several former residents of these mental hospitals started to make their voices heard. During this event, we will interview three pioneering consumer advocates: Janet Meagher, Meg Smith, and Simon Champ. They were pioneering mental health activists at forefront of change in mental health care.
Janet Meagher AM: After 10 years in Gladesville Mental Hospital Janet became a committed consumer advocate.
Simon Champ: A consumer activist and artist whose paintings provide insights to his experience of schizophrenia.
Dr Meg Smith OAM: A clinical psychologist with bipolar disorder. She established self-help groups for individuals with bipolar disorder.
Introduction: Hans Pols. Facilitators: Paul Rhodes (clinical psychologist) and Holly Kemp (experience expert / peer worker).
Online event: Register here
Deep Conversations: Telling History through Country
How might history be told through Country? In what ways might Country speak? Country is more than the backdrop for history; it is an active participant within both its stories and their telling. In this roundtable discussion chaired by Rebe Taylor, historians Lorina Barker, Peter Read, and Ann McGrath along with collaborators from the Taragara project “Gari: Stories Country Tells” share how historians might engage with Country in their research and writing.
For more information contact the convenors of the series: laura.rademaker@anu.edu.au or ruth.morgan@anu.edu.au
Wednesday 8 September, 10-11.30am: Register here
Image courtesy of artist: Section of My Country by Kayannie Denigan.
From the Ground Up: Activism in the Inner West
Browse our collection for a range of local Inner West activism over the years. If you or someone you know is willing to tell their own story of personal or group activism, activities and achievements please contact the Inner West Libraries Community History team: history@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Callan Park & Fernhill in Greater Sydney Parklands
Three speakers will talk about environment & history of Callan Park + Fernhill & Mulgoa Valley: Sunday, 12 September, 2-3.30pm with Q&A
Diego Bonetto: The History Of Trees In Callan Park & Broughton Hall -- With more tree species than Central Park NY, Callan Park’s trees are the most magnificent in the municipality.
Mark Fuller: Birds Of Sydney – An Historical Perspective -- Brightly-coloured Lorikeets, the ‘Bin chickens’ that call Sydney home and the Koel and now familiar to us all were rarities in Sydney. Sadly many small birds vanished with rampant urban development. Cumberland Plain Woodland remnants in western Sydney are ‘time capsules’ supporting species once far more widespread.
Dr James Broadbent AM: An Historic Triangle - - Three historic buildings in the heart of Mulgoa Valley; The Cottage 1810, St Thomas Church 1838 & Fernhill 1845. With farmland uniting them it’s a landscape of exceptional heritage significance.
Registration not required. Just join Zoom on 12 September for prompt start at 2pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86386844370
Questions to focp.admin@gmail.com or Cynthia 0413 733 219
Image courtesy Mark Fuller.
Annual History Lecture 2021: UN.SET.LED by the History Council
Australian Museum’s Laura McBride (Director, First Nations) and Dr Mariko Smith (First Nations Curator) on the ground breaking Unsettled exhibition at the Australian Museum and the process of presenting a First Nations-led exhibition about the legacy of colonisation, constructions of Australian history, and the importance of truth-telling to realise change.
Online date to be announced: More information