Join the RAHS and the HHA for a special online seminar about the vice-regal consorts of NSW. In this seminar presenters will discuss the consorts’ contributions to the history of NSW and stories about their historic residence, Government House.
Speakers and Topics in order of appearance:
The Role of the Vice-Regal Consort in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Summary: The vice regal Consort is the companion of the governor, a position usually filled by the governor’s wife (or more recently the governor’s husband), daughter or sister. This is not an official role and it comes with no job description, nor salary. Carol Liston will discuss what was expected of the Vice Regal Consort in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a brief look at the official residences.
Bio: Associate Professor Dr Carol Liston OA is the Senior Vice President of the RAHS. She is an Australian historian who specialises in the history of early New South Wales (1788-1860). She teaches 19th century Australian history, local history and heritage at the University of Western Sydney. Dr Liston is a Fellow of the RAHS.
Scandals in Government House – or were they? Stories of Emma, Lady Loftus and Lady Mary Lygon
Summary: Any study of vicereines is a study of the ways influence works behind the scenes, and one way to study that influence is through scandal. Scandals can make the invisible visible, they can reveal networks. Sometimes we can’t be sure if a scandal was real, but its effects can leave traces and provide insights that are not always comfortable.
Bio: Dr Bruce Baskerville is Associate Director, Centre for Western Australian History at UWA. In 2017 he completed a doctoral thesis at Sydney University on a cultural history of the Crown in Australia.
Mid-Century Consorts and the Changing of the Guard
Summary: Their terms separated by almost a century, Caroline, Lady Denison (1855-1861) and Margaret (Peggy), Lady Wakehurst (1937-1945) were dynamic long-serving consorts at critical times in the history of Australia. Since the end of World War II, when the New South Wales Government insisted on the appointment of Australian-born governors, the state has been well-served by equally dedicated (OR you may prefer committed) vice-regal consorts.
Bio: Joy Hughes is a historian whose work with the Historic Houses Trust of NSW included research of the first and second Government Houses and other vice-regal residences, and their occupants.
Please Note: Participants will have a brief opportunity (a few days before the seminar date) to purchase the book at a discounted price.
Please contact History House on (02) 9247 8001 or admin@rahs.org.au with proof of ticket purchase to arrange a discounted purchase of Playing Their Part: Vice-Regal Consorts of NSW.