Victorians
are invited to stop and consider what the future holds for our history
books, as the Royal Historical Society of Victoria presents their
November talk topic: “New ways of telling history – an appraisal”.
To be held on Tuesday 8 November at 5.15pm,
historian Alex McDermott will draw on a decade’s experience writing,
researching and teaching history for various mediums and offer his
appraisal of the future of history.
“In
2003 English historian Simon Schama suggested that ‘the future of
history, the survival of history is going to depend at least as much, if
not more on the new media and television as on the printed page’,”
noted McDermott.
“I’d like to ask is this true and, if it is, should it alarm or excite us?
“I
want to look at what connects and what distinguishes the various forms
of history-telling in Australia in the early 21st century.
“I’ll also discuss the possibilities that still remain to be exploited.”
Alex McDermott has most recently written Australian History for Dummies
and is an expert on Kelly studies. Between 2007 -2009 he was chief
historical consultant and history researcher for Screen Australia’s Making History Initiative, which led to the ABC broadcast of ten historical documentaries including Rogue Nation, Constructing Australia, Monash – the Forgotten Anzac and Menzies and Churchill at War.
The
event will be held at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria in the
former Australian Army Medical Corps Drill Hall - an impressive Art Deco
space, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its state-wide
architectural and historical significance.
Formed
in 1909, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) is committed
to collecting, researching and sharing an understanding of the history
of Victoria. Housing the most extensive single information resource on
the history of Melbourne and Victoria, collections are open Monday to
Friday, 10am – 4pm.
The
RHSV is a community organisation that relies on membership
subscriptions. Join today and help promote and preserve the history of
Victoria – www.historyvictoria.org.au
Date: Tuesday 8 November
Time: 5.15pm tea/coffee; 5.45pm – 6.45pm lecture
Address: Royal Historical Society of Victoria
239 A’Beckett Street
Melbourne
Cost: $5.50 non members; free for members