Comments on: Introducing Mark Dunn

By: Ian Willis

Ian Willis — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:14:45 +0000

Congratulations on the new position.

By: Patricia Hale

Patricia Hale — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 05:45:15 +0000

I echo Bruce Pennay’s comments. Great to have you as PHA President Mark, having much appreciated your work on HerItage Council where you have occupied the official historian position as someone ‘in the opinion of the Minister with expertise in Australian or NSW history ‘. Since 2009 it’s been an optional membership position but there has been one. It’s crically important for state-wide heritage decision-making that there continues to be a historian on the Heritage Council.

By: Bruce Pennay

Bruce Pennay — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:53:54 +0000

A great background for a President of the PHA. A good blend of volunteer,consultative and academic work.
Congratulations on taking on an important role in history-making state-wide.

By: Beverley Earnshaw

Beverley Earnshaw — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:52:14 +0000

One of the most important aspects of history writing is communication. It’s Pointless to write history for the accolades of a peer group of scholars. We need to be communicating Australian history to ordinary Australians. Migrant groups are interested in the history of Australia, but they know very little and it’s not their fault. They went to schools where Australian history was never taught.
We should be producing accurate and properly researched publications directed at the ‘general and recreational’ reader. They should be personality centred and not be too much of a mental slog because no one outside an educational facility can be forced to read a book.
Australians need to know more about their own country — to know what happened, why it happened and understand the consequences.
Our culture is being diluted. We should no longer allow those who say we have no culture to talk down to us. The culture that emerged from the convict system, the gold rush, federation, the depression and all the wars we’ve fought in is a valid culture and something worthy of preserving.
I urge all trained historians to get out there and communicate — write, blog, speak at meetings and generate some national pride.