Speaking of History

By: Dr Gabrielle Kemmis
  • Summary

  • Speaking of History is a podcast series which explores stories hidden within the recently digitised cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. This series is part of the History of University Life.
    Copyright University of Sydney 2024
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Episodes
  • A Radar Pioneer: Victor Burgmann
    Jul 23 2024

    In this episode, we learn about the work of Victor Burgmann who as a fresh Engineering uni graduate was sent to London during the Blitz of WWII to research RADAR. We hear about his life during the war and the enduring legacy of his wartime research.

    Voicing of Victor Burgmann performed by Associate Professor Nick Eckstein from the University of Sydney.

    Interested to learn more?

    https://csiropedia.csiro.au/burgmann-victor-dudley/

    Obituary: VICTOR BURGMANN CSIRO stalwart was radar pioneer (1991, February 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 13. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095260

    A history of RADAR in Australia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/

    A brief history of the Blitz: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain

    Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/
    Listen to the full interview with Victor:
    https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726

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    9 mins
  • A different path: Nancy Osborne’s Unusual Career
    Jul 16 2024

    In this episode, we listen to Arts graduate Nancy Osborne, talk about what it was like to be an independent career woman in the twentieth century. We hear about her uni days, career in London during the 1930s and work as a WREN during World War II.

    Interested to learn more?

    More on Nancy’s career in the UK before WWII: SYDNEY GRADUATE. (1935, July 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved September 7, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17178137

    Brief history of the WRENS: https://ornc.org/our-history/royal-naval-college/the-wrens/


    Longer history of the WRENS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6650048.shtml


    A promotional film for the WRENS held by the Australian War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzijXZlzT4 Visit the University of

    Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

    Listen to the full interview with Nancy: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146

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    9 mins
  • From Humble Beginnings to the High Court of Australia – Garfield Barwick
    Jul 9 2024

    Garfield Barwick is perhaps best known due to his work as the longest serving Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1964-1981. Yet we all start somewhere. In this episode we hear Barwick talk about his memories of being a law student at the University of Sydney in the 1920s, and his early days as a barrister in Sydney.


    Interested to learn more?

    https://www.hcourt.gov.au/artworks/portraits-of-chief-justices/the-rt-hon-sir-garfield-barwick

    https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Chief_Justice/Sir_Garfield_Edward_John_Barwick

    Article - The Rise of Sir Garfield Barwick "There is always an answer" http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346 Visit the University of Sydney

    Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/


    Listen to the full interview with Garfield: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650

    Photo By National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284

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    9 mins

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