The Royal Australian Historical Society's Annual Conference.

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 It is great to see in-person conferences returning and the past weekend I attended the Royal Australian Historical Society's Conference, with the Theme being, Windows into Local History.

 Held at the Campbelltown Catholic Club, it was two full days of learning, plus pre-conference drinks, on the Friday night and the Conference dinner on the Saturday night. I stayed at the hotel, next to the venue, which was great.


As we arrived, we were given a 'goody' bag and book. The bag contained our program for the two days, information leaflets on places of interest and a note pad and pen. Seating was at round tables, and I joined with a group of friends.







The day was divided into sessions, each with a theme and two or three speakers.

Session A - Welcome and Keynote Address.

Session B - Windows into Local History: Views on Campbelltown's Past.

Session C - Windows into Local History: Opening Classrooms to Community Stories.

Saturday ended with tours of the local area and dinner.

Session D - Windows into Local History: Showcasing Affiliated Societies and Celebrating Volunteers Contributions.

Session E - Windows into Local History: Expanding Horizons through Digital Tools and Resources.

Session F - Windows into Local History: Exploring Ghost Stories and Unveiling the Shadows of the Murderous Past.

I could write a novel, if I was to expand each of the topics covered, suffice to say, all of us came away with information and tips on how to explore and present local history.

My highlights would be, Session C, with Fran Musico Rullo, Local History Comes Alive! The History Club at St Patrick's College for Girls, Campbelltown.  Session E, with Suzanne Holohan, AI in Action: ChatGPT as a Tool for Historical Societies, and all three speakers from the final session of the weekend, Session F. Rachel Franks, with Murder and mayhem, just around the corner, Christine Yeats, with Bessie Fisher and her road to perdition and Andrew Allen, with Frederick Fisher and the Legend of Fisher's Ghost.

I had a wonderful find in the book, First Citizen. Mayors of Campbelltown Since 1882 by Jeff McGill.  Where on page 14 is a photo of Henry Vaughan, big brother of Isabella Vaughan, my great-grandmother.


It was the best conference I have been to, in nearly 40 years of doing research. The speakers were excellent, covering a wide range of relevant topics. The venue and their staff were superb. But those that organised the event, from both the RAHS and other societies were top notch. Everything flowed, was on time and you were always smiling.


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