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Lectures

Members can be the first to hear presentations of new historical knowledge. The Association holds eleven talks each year, open to members and the general public.

Download the meeting calendar (PDF)

A case of mistaken identity: who was ‘Wauba Debar’?

Tuesday, 10 November 2026, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Louise Zarmati & Bradley Wood

Louise Zarmati and Bradley Wood explore the legend of Wauba Debar.

The Tasman Bridge disaster and its aftermath

Tuesday, 8 December 2026, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Bill Lawson

Engineer Bill Lawson will speak about aftermath of the 1975 Tasmanian Bridge disaster

A Tasmanian Life

Tuesday, 9 February 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Saul Eslake

Well-known economist Saul Eslake will speak about his life.

The Tasmanian government Thylacine bounty, 1888-1909

Tuesday, 9 March 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Nic Haygarth

Nic Haygart speaks about the government's Thylacine bounty in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Our Tasmanian schools and the war: school, family and community experiences, 1914-18 and beyond

Tuesday, 13 April 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Rosalie Triolo

Rosalie Triolo speaks about the impact of war on Australian families and communities during World War One.

The riddles of Ross bridge

Tuesday, 11 May 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Jennie Jackson

Jennie Jackson will speak about the puzzling enigma that is the Ross bridge

Eldershaw Memorial Lecture - Working Beaches: Trial Harbour and changing beach history in Australia

Tuesday, 8 June 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Professor Anna Clark

Anna Clark will speak about the changing history of coastlines and beaches in Australia.

Seeking Eliza: the life of Eliza Batman

Tuesday, 13 July 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Michelle Berry

Michelle Berry will speak about the life of Eliza Batman, wife of notorious colonist and co-founder of Melbourne John Batman.

Empire’s blueprint: constructing Van Diemen’s Land

Tuesday, 10 August 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Imogen Wegman

Imogen Wegman will discuss how the land grant system constructed Van Diemen's Land

‘The children's health food’: saving lives with Arnott's milk arrowroot biscuits

Tuesday, 14 September 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Greg Cooke

Greg Cooke will speak about his research into commercialising products in the apparent interest of children's health.

Foiling the Fed: the 1902 Tattersall’s postal ban

Tuesday, 12 October 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Isobel Andrewartha

Isobel Andrewartha speaks about George Adams's battles to overcome the government's ban on the Tattersall's postal sweepstake tickets.

Modernising an antiquated system: St John Ambulance and ambulance services in Tasmania c.1900 to 1966

Tuesday, 9 November 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Stefan Petrow

Emeritus Professor Stefan Petrow will speak about the development of ambulance services in Tasmanian in the first half of the twentieth century.

Petersen’s Chambers: a chronicle of place and people

Tuesday, 14 December 2027, 7:30 - 9PM
Presented by: Brendan Lennard

Brendan Lennard will speak about the history of Petersen's Chambers in central Hobart and the stories of the people who lived and worked there.