Climate-linked Fires Summer 2020
An open letter from Australian historians
Drought and Bushfire Crisis
As Australian historians who feel deeply connected to this country and its people, we extend our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered, and who continue to suffer, through the drought and bushfire crisis that afflicts large parts of Australia.
We deplore the loss of human and animal life, the loss of natural and built heritage, and the damage and destruction wrought on places loved by Australians of all backgrounds.
Our history tells us that Australia is a fragile continent which has always demanded respect from its custodians. For at least 65,000 years the first Australians have cared for country sacred to them, a land that embodied their very being. They have used cultural burning to rejuvenate and nurture the land, and to reduce the intensity of bushfires. Their deep knowledge must inform the effective management of our precious environment.
In its modern history Australia has reinvented itself. Federation, post-war reconstruction and the economic and social reforms of the 1970s and 1980s present just three such examples of national recalibration. History provides us with cautionary tales of failure, but it also offers us examples of the Australian people rising to the formidable challenges of living well and justly in a harsh but beautiful country.
Unfortunately, Australia’s relatively limited action on climate change represents a continuation of poor environmental practice. Alongside many achievements in the sustainable use of our natural resources, species extinction, soil erosion, polluted waterways and introduced pests are just some of the many legacies of our historical failure to pay this country the respect it demands.
As historians we are well aware of Australia’s long bushfire history, and can confidently say that the scale, longevity and intensity of the fire events in southern and eastern Australia so far this season are unprecedented in Australia’s European history. Fifteen years ago, increased fire risk in Australia was predicted as an outcome of climate change. Reduced rainfall and increased temperatures associated with anthropogenic climate change have indeed contributed significantly to the size and ferocity of this season’s fires.
We must change while we can, and more rapidly than ever before. We acknowledge that no action Australia takes on its own can resolve climate change, but we do not accept that as an argument that we cannot, or should not, do more.
Australia can wield considerable influence as a good global citizen – as it has on many occasions in the past when it has supported collective action on common problems. Supporting and encouraging drastic global emissions reductions, will involve acting in ways that are morally responsible, both in a domestic and international context. We have done so in the past which has resulted in such achievements as negotiating the Madrid Protocol to protect Antarctica and the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer. We call on our political leaders, of all political persuasions, to do more on the international stage and at home to grapple with the formidable challenges posed by anthropogenic climate change.
We also call on all levels of government to continue the Australian tradition of looking after the vulnerable. Just as this country was a pioneer in social policy in the early twentieth century, through such world-changing innovations as the living wage, so must it act generously and creatively in the early twenty-first to protect and support those ravaged by bushfire and drought, as well as those workers affected by the necessary urgent transition to renewable energy.
As historians, we reject arguments that these problems are too big for Australia. We are a wealthy, first-world nation with an abundance of scientific knowledge and talent, and a proud history of innovation. Our past includes many instances of national mobilisation for the collective good, in both war and peace, and of innovation in science and policy that has been transformative at home and abroad.
We acknowledge that huge investment will be required to move to a zero emissions future and to protect Australians from future drought and fire events. But we also point to the rapid deployment of railways in the nineteenth century, to electrification in the twentieth, and to the development of systems ranging from sewerage to digital technologies as examples of previous rapid adjustment and adaptation.
Our present challenges are not beyond us if we act now.
(If you wish to add your name to this open letter from Australian historians, please do so via this form by 31 January 2020)
SIGNED:
Professor Lynette Russell AM, Monash University
Associate Professor Martin Crotty, University of Queensland
Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, Australian National University
Emeritus Professor Heather Goodall, University of Technology Sydney
Emeritus Professor Tom Griffiths AO, Australian National University
Emeritus Professor Libby Robin, Australian National University
Professor Robert Pascoe, Victoria University
Professor Jane Lydon, University of Western Australia
Manning Clark Professor Angela Woollacott, Australian National University
Dr Ruth Morgan, Monash University
Associate Professor Andrea Gaynor, University of Western Australia
Professor Ann McGrath AM, Australian National University
Professor Andrew May, University of Melbourne
Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University
Professor Christina Twomey, Monash University
Dr Anna Clark, Australian National University
Dr Jane Carey, University of Wollongong
Dr Billy Griffiths, Deakin University
Professor Phillip Deery, Victoria University
Dr Julie Kimber, Swinburne University
Professor Maryrose Casey, Flinders University
Dr Ben Silverstein, Australian National University
Professor Penelope Edmonds, Flinders University
Emeritus Professor Iain McCalman AO, University of Sydney
Dr Laura Rademaker, Australian National University
Associate Professor Kate Fullagar, Macquarie University
Associate Professor Celmara Pocock, University of Southern Queensland
Associate Professor Paul Sendziuk, Adelaide University
Dr Jodi Frawley
Professor Lyndall Ryan AM, University of Newcastle
Emeritus Professor Shurlee Swain, Australian Catholic University
Associate Prof Melissa Bellanta, Australian Catholic University
Associate Prof Nell Musgrove, Australian Catholic University
Dr Jon Piccini, Australian Catholic University
Dr Lorinda Cramer, Australian Catholic University
Dr Jennifer Carpenter, Australian Catholic University
Dr Ellen Warne, Australian Catholic University
Dr Benjamin Mountford, Australian Catholic University
Dr Michael Thompson, Australian Catholic University
Ms Naomi Wolfe, Australian Catholic University
Mr Daniel May, Australian National University
Emeritus Professor Ann Curthoys, Australian National University
Professor Richard Broome, La Trobe University
Dr Leonie Stevens, Monash University
Associate Professor Katharine Massam, University of Divinity
Professor Martin Thomas, Australian National University
Dr Jennifer Caruso, University of Adelaide
Dr Benjamin T. Jones, Central Queensland University
Professor Alison Tokita, Monash University
Dr Katti Williams, University of Melbourne
Dr Hilary Howes, Australian National University
Professor Megan Cassidy-Welch, University of Queensland
Associate Professor Glen O’Brien, University of Divinity
Associate Professor Liz Conor, La Trobe University
Professor Catharine Coleborne, University of Newcastle
Dr Damien Williams
Dr Carolyn Rasmussen, University of Melbourne
Dr Michael Davis, University of Sydney
Dr Tamson Pietsch
Dr Kerrie Handasyde, University of Divinity
Professor Noah Riseman, Australian Catholic University
Professor Aaron Corn, National Recording Project for Indigenous Performance in Australia
Professor Janet McCalman AC, University of Melbourne
Professor Joy Damousi, University of Melbourne
Professor Melanie Oppenheimer, Flinders University
Dr. Romain Fathi, Flinders University
Dr Julie McIntyre, University of Newcastle
Dr Kate Ariotti, University of Newcastle
Dr Fiona Fraser, Australian National University
Professor Victorian Haskins, University of Newcastle
Associate Professor David Lee, University of New South Wales
Dr Effie Karageorgos, University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Tiffany Shellam, Deakin University
Dr Karen Schamberger, Independent
Emeritus Professor David Carment AM, Charles Darwin University
Ms Deborah Lee-Talbot, Deakin University
Dr Naomi Parry, Independent
Professor Katie Holmes, La Trobe University
Professor Fiona Paisley, Griffith University
Dr Alessandro Antonello, Flinders University
Dr Julianne Schultz, Griffith University
Dr James Dunk, University of Sydney
Dr Jordy Silverstein, University of Melbourne
Dr Margaret Cook, University of Sunshine Coast
Dr Alexis Bergantz, RMIT University
Honey Dower, University of Tasmania
Associate Professor Rebe Taylor, University of Tasmania
Professor Robin Prior, University of Adelaide
Associate Professor Richard White, University of Sydney
Dr Chris Salisbury, University of Queensland
Dr Gemmia Burden
Dr Bronwyn Batten
Associate Professor Paula Michaels, Monash University
Ms Jennifer Bird, Australian National University
Dr Gwyn McClelland, Monash University
Dr Alison Holland, Macquarie University
Dr Helen MacDonald, University of Melbourne
Mr Rowan Homes, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Scott McKinnon, University of Wollongong
Dr Karen O’Brien, University of Sydney
Distinguished Professor Shaunnagh Dorsett, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Rachel Franks, University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Nancy Cushing, University of Newcastle
Professor Erik Eklund, Federation University Australia
Dr Jayne Persian, University of Southern Queensland
Dr Ana Stevenson, University of the Free State
Associate Prof Bruce Buchan, Griffith University
Dr Frances Flanagan, University of Sydney
Dr Denise Cook, Deakin University
Professor David Christian, Macquarie University
Dr Zora Simic, University of New South Wales
Neal Quillinan, All Hallows’ School – Brisbane
Professor Anna Haebich, Curtin University
Emeritus Professor Desley Deacon, Australian National University
Dr Emily O’Gorman, Macquarie University
Kate Davison, University of Melbourne
Dr Kathleen Neal, Monash University
Professor David Lowe, Deakin University
Dr Mike Jones, Australian National University
Dr Rowan Cahill, University of Wollongong
Dr Cameron Muir
Dr Lauren Pikó, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Julia Martinez, University of Wollongong
Professor Michell Arrow, Macquarie University
Dr Jillian Beard, Griffith University
Dr Annmarie Reid, Flinders University
Dr Bethany Phillips-Peddlesden, University of Melbourne
Dr Alexandra Roginski, Deakin University
Dr Lynette Finch
Aileen Marwung Walsh, Australian National University
Dr Evan Smith, Flinders University
Ms Anna Kent, Deakin University
Erin Andrews, Education Queensland
Dr Andonis Piperoglou, Griffith University
Dr André Brett, University of Wollongong
Dr Linda Wade, All Hallows’ School
Dr Sophie Couchman, Professional historian and curator
Leon J. Lyell, Australian Catholic University
Dr Joy McCann, Australian National University
Professor Kama Maclean, University of New South Wales
Professor Zoë Laidlaw, University of Melbourne
Dr Stephen Gapps, History Council of NSW and University of Newcastle
Professor Warwick Anderson, University of Sydney
Emeritus Professor Marilyn Lake AO, University of Melbourne
Dr Simone Battiston, Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Chelsea Barnett, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Brigid Hains, Aeon, Melbourne
Dr Lucia Clayton Martinez, University of Western Australia
Carmel Pascale, University of Adelaide
Emeritus Professor Jenny Gregory AM, University of Western Australia
Professor Glenda Sluga, University of Sydney
Dr Janis Wilton OAM, University of New England
Professor Hiroya Sugita, Kanagawa University
Dr Bruce Dennett, Macquarie University
Dr Kylie Andrews, University of Technology Sydney
Professor Gregory Smithers, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Hull
Dr Rani Kerin, Australian National University
Dr Catherine Bishop, Macquarie University
Dr Stephen Townsend, University of Queensland
Dr Darius von Güttner Sporzynski, University of Melbourne
Dr Niki Francis, Freelance historian
Dr Joel Barnes, University of Technology Sydney
Emeritus Professor Roy MacLeod, University of Sydney
Professor Hans Pols, University of Sydney
Adjunct Professor Raymond Evans, Griffith University and University of Queensland
Dr Yves Rees, La Trobe University
Dr James Lesh, University of Sydney
Professor Nicolas Rasmussen, University of New South Wales
Ms Gemma Lucy Smart, University of Sydney
Mr Leonard Janiszewski, Macquarie University
Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, University of Melbourne
Dr Nicola Cousen
Dr Shirley Cripps
Dr Paul Kiem, University of Technology Sydney
Elizabeth Roberts-Pedersen, University of Newcastle
Frieda Moran, University of Tasmania
Dr Iva Glisic, Australian National University
Associate Professor David Andrew Roberts
Charmaine Foley, BHIP MH
Dr Michael Kilmister, University of Newcastle
Karen Hughes, Swinburne University
Dr Imogen Wegman, University of Tasmania
Ben Mercer, Australian National University
Professor Hamish Maxwell-Stewart, University of Tasmania
Anthony Page, University of Tasmania
Michael Pearson, Australian Catholic University
Dr Valerie Djenidi, University of Newcastle
Jordan Beavis, University of Newcastle
Associate Professor Amanda Laugesen, Australian National University
Dr Robert Clarke, Independent
Ms Michelle Staff, Australian National University
Dr Susan Bartie, University of Tasmania
Dr Jennifer Bowen, University of Melbourne
Robert Mason, Griffith University
Dr. Harry Van Issum, Woppaburra, Griffith University
Professor Patricia Grimshaw, University of Melbourne
Professor Mark Edele, University of Melbourne
Dr Wendy Madsen, CQ University
Dr Helen M. Davies, University of Melbourne
Dr Helen Bones, Western Sydney University
Professor Sarah Ferber, University of Wollongong
Hollie Barclay
Meg Foster, University of New South Wales
Janis Hanley, Griffith University
Professor Rae Frances, Australian National University
Dr Amy Clarke, University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Leigh Dale
Dr James Keating, University of New South Wales
Dr. Aydogan Kars, Monash University
Dr. Julie Suares
Nadia Rhook, University of Western Australia
Dr Juliet Flesch, University of Melbourne
Dr Cathy Curtis
Ingeborg van Teeseling, Australia Explained
Carol Corless
Dr Sarah Midford, La Trobe University
Margaret Anderson
Beth Marsden, La Trobe University
Dr Kate Laing
Shirley Strachan, AHA, PHV, ANZSHM, ATMS
Dr Jeannine Baker, Macquarie University
Dr Janis Sheldrick
Fiona Poulton, MPHA, Way Back When Consulting Historians
Ian I Bowrey, University of Newcastle
William Lewis, Haileybury
Dr Julia Miller, CAPA The Global Education Network
Christine Vickers, La Trobe University
Lucy Bracey, Way Back When Consulting Historians
Dr Malcolm Allbrook, Australian National University
Ms Ebony Nilsson, University of Sydney
Adjunct Professor Russell McGregor, James Cook University
Malcolm McKinnon
Professor Robert Reynolds, Macquaire University
Nathan Gardner, University of Melbourne
David Roth, Australian National University
Dr Christine de Matos, University of Notre Dame
Dr Nikki Henningham, Australian Women’s Archives Project
Dr Samantha Owen, Curtin University
Dr Alice Garner, University of Melbourne
Dr Wendy Michaels, University of Newcastle
John Hayman, University of Melbourne
Tim Mansueto
Brenda Kittelty, University of New England
Dr Stephanie James, Flinders University
Dr Christopher Waters, Deakin University
Associate Professor Gwenda Tavan, La Trobe University
Dr James Bennett, University of Newcastle
Professor Martin Shanahan, University of South Australia
Katherine Sheedy, Way Back When Consulting Historians
Ailsa Brackley du Bois, Independent
Dr Rebecca Jones, State Library of New South Wales
Dr Una McIlvenna, University of Melbourne
Sarah Kennedy Bates, Harvard University
Dr. Susan Walter
Emma Kluge, University of Sydney
Dr Patricia Holt, Independent Scholars Association of Australia
Stefan Petrow, University of Tasmania
Bronwen Algate
Graham Hannaford, Federation University
David Jefferson
Associate Professor Bruce Pennay OAM, Charles Sturt University
Dr Alexey Antoshin, Ural Federal University
Ms Honae Cuffe, University of Newcastle
Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University
Dr Rae Luckie, University of New England
Dr Lucas Jordan, Visiting Fellow Australian National University & Western English Language School
Professor Shirley Randell AO, Independent Scholars Association of Australia
Peter Monteath, Flinders University
Pauline Georgelin, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor David Lee, University of New South Wales Canberra
Professor Clare Wright, La Trobe University
Professor Michael Leach, Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Brian Reid, Historical Society of the Northern Territory
Dr Juanita Kwok
Dr Neville Buch, Professional Historians Association (Queensland)
Distinguished Honorary Professor Carroll Pursell, Australian National University
Dr Elizabeth Kwan
Dr Anthea Hyslop
Dr Louise Blake, Independent
Geoff Speirs, MPHA South Australia
Associate Professor Georgine Clarsen, University of Wollongong
Jacqueline Bird
Professor Kate Darian-Smith, University of Tasmania
Ilona Fekete
Anna Temby, University of Queensland
Sofie Onorato, University of Melbourne
Ron Lambert, Federation University
Dr Amanda Lourie
Briony Neilson, University of Sydney
Sarah Rood, Way Back When Consulting Historians
Brett Holman, University of Canberra
Daniel Rothenburg, University of Tuebingen
Matthew Haultain-Gall, Université Catholique de Louvain
Tracy Ryan, Professional Historians Association (Queensland)
Associate Professor Bobbie Oliver, University of Western Australia
Dr Audrey Peyper, University of Tasmania
Dr Robyn Kellock Floyd
Dr Rosemary Kerr
David Harris, La Trobe University
Dr Chiaki Ajioka
Dr Ruth Ford, La Trobe University
Leith Davis Western Sydney University
Dr Simon Sleight, King’s College London
Professor Michael A Mcdonnell, University of Sydney
Dr Eleanor Robin
Dr. Janine Rizzetti
Dr Jayne Regan
Associate Professor Fay Anderson, Monash University
Associate Professor Frances Steel, University of Wollongong
Julie Hotchin, Australian National University
Jill Barnard, MPHA, Living Histories
Dr. Vipul Singh, University of Delhi India
Professor Paul Turnbull, Universities of Tasmania, Queensland and the Australian National University
Professor Simon Ville, University of Wollongong
Professor Nicholas Brown, Australian National University
Dr Eureka Henrich, University of Hertfordshire
Abigail Belfrage, Consulting Historian
Greg Buchanan, University of Tasmania
Dr Tim Causer, University College London
Professor Kate Hunter, Victoria University of Wellington
Hon. Professor Cameron Hazlehurst, Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University
Professor James Walter, Monash University
Fiona Gatt, Deakin University
Dr Philip Roberts
Diane Deane, Independent historian
Dr Dorothy Kass, Macquarie University
Jane Ison, NFHS and researcher
Sarah Paul
Andrew Dillon, Australian National University
Fleur Goldthorpe, Australian National University
Dr Nicholas Ferns, Monash University
Dr Rose Searby
Dr Marguerita Stephens
Dr Gonzalo Villanueva
Dr David Stephens, Editor, Honest History website, Canberra
Frances Clarke, University of Sydney
Emily Gallagher, Australian National University
Dr Skye Krichauff, University of Adelaide
Dr Julie Rickwood, Australian National University
Dr Amanda Harris, University of Sydney
Emma Russell, History At Work
Jennifer McCoy, Federation University
Dr Karen Downing, Australian National University
Professor Matthew Spriggs, Australian National University
Professor Margaret Jolly, Australian National University
Professor Robert Cribb, Australian National University
Dr Julia Hurst, University of Melbourne
Dr Carolyn Collins, University of Adelaide
Daniel Oakman, Australian National University
Sophie Loy-Wilson, University of Sydney
Dr Mike Harding, University of Adelaide
Anna Little
John Little
Aditya Balasubramanian, Australian National University
Shayne Brown, University of Sydney
Julie Hennessey, Head of History and Executive member of Queensland History Teachers’ Association
Sue Cawcutt
Dr Isobelle Barrett Meyering, Macquarie University
Dr Alexander Cook, Australian National University
Dr Kyle Harvey, University of Tasmania
Joshua Black, Australian National University
Jacqui Donegan, Australian National University
Sonia Jennings, MPHA, Living Histories Professional Historians
Louella McCarthy, University of Wollongong
Hollie Pich, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Anne Brewster, University of New South Wales
Josh Newham, Australian National University
Amy Thomas, University of Technology Sydney
Ms Portia Dilena, La Trobe University
Dr Ethan Blue, University of Western Australia
Dr Prudence Flowers, Flinders University
Professor Dennis Altman, AM La Trobe University
Liz Downes, La Trobe University
Dr Rebecca J. Sheehan, Macquarie University
Jaclyn Hopkins, La Trobe University
Mary Sheehan, MPHA, Living Histories, Professional Historians
Professor Bruce Scates, FASSA Australian National University
Marian Quartly, Monash University
Elizabeth Ingleson
Brian Everingham
Dr Mia Martin Hobbs, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Clare Corbould, Deakin University
Sara Buttsworth, University of Auckland
Dr Kiera Lindsey, University of Technology Sydney
Dr. Anthony Ashbolt, University of Wollongong
Ron Lambert, Federation University
Roger Bell, University of New South Wales
Michael Auty
Dr Lee-Ann Monk, La Trobe University
Associate Professor Helen Gardner, Deakin University
Gail Bailey
Professor Timothy Minchin, La Trobe University
Ms Elizabeth Offer, La Trobe University
Francesca Beddie. Professional Historians Australia
Derek John Phillippo
Mia Sostaric
Paul Ashton, University of Technology Sydney
Professor Carolyn Strange, Australian National University
Dr Rowan Howitt, University of Sydney
Associate Professor Giacomo Lichtner, Victoria University of Wellington
Alana Piper, University of Technology Sydney
Professor Robert Crawford, RMIT University
Emeritus Professor David Garrioch, Monash University
Dr Emma Gleadhill, Macquarie University
Suzanne Collins
Christine Ferrari, Monash University
Elizabeth Muldoon, University of Melbourne
Kimberley Meagher, MPHA Victoria
Alvine Mulligan
Dr Vannessa Hearman, Charles Darwin University
Sally Rossiter
Professor Katherine Hermes, Central CT State University
Victor S Kaufman, Francis Marian University
Tom Buchanan, University of Adelaide
Paul Sandringham MA
Associate Professor Tomoko Akami, Australian National University
Peter Hooker, University of Newcastle
Dr Annette Salt
Dr Deborah Wilson, University of Tasmania
Janice Pilditch, Waikato University
Kathryn Whye
Deborah Tout-Smith, Museums Victoria
Dr David Young
Ms Penny Harrison, University of the Sunshine Coast
Rachel Stevens, University of Melbourne
Dr Jacquie Durrant
Dr Henry Reese
Alicia Cerreto, Professional historian
Kirsten McKenzie, University of Sydney
Cassandra Rodger
Dr Peter Cochrane
Kate Waters, Waters Consultancy, MPHA
Professor Philippa Mein Smith, University of Tasmania
Daniel Fleming, Macquarie University
Sandra Kearney, Flinders University
Associate Professor Andrekos Varnava, Flinders University
Rose Cullen
Claire Smith, Flinders University
Gary Jackson, Flinders University
Dr Eileen Chanin, Australian National University
Ms Diana Chessell, University of South Australia
Dr Tony Rogers
Elizabeth Di Cesare, LHS SA branch
Dr Sally Stephenson
Dr Susan Marsden, Professional Historians Association
Professor Mark McKenna, University of Sydney
Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia
Bronwyn Shepherd, Deakin University
Professor Bridget Griffen-Foley, Macquarie University
Dr Karen George
Alison McDougall
Roger Borland
Dr Peter Hobbins
David Bell
Susan McDonald
Susan Lapis
Andrew Deacon
Bronwyn Deakon
Dr Emilie Dotte-Sarout, Australian National University
Dr Nicole Y Chalmer
Dr Martina Muller, MPHA NSW and ACT
Associate Professor Peter Keegan, Macquarie University
Peter Ross
Dr David Faber, Flinders University
Carole Simmonds, President, Tea Tree Gully and District Historical Society Inc
Professor Mark Finnane, Griffith University
Jennifer Jorn, University of Queensland
Catherine Forge, Museums Victoria
Mary Elgar, Bridgetown Historical Society
Helen Proctor, University of Sydney
Victoria Haskins, University of Newcastle
Dianne Korare, Flinders University
Dr Shirley Fitzgerald
Jenny Wright
Dr Cameron Raynes, University of South Australia
Karen Twigg, La Trobe University and Living Histories
Richard Hunt
Richard Trembath, Federation University
Gary Osmond, University of Queensland
Roy Hay, Deakin University and Sports and Editorial Services Australia
Dr Dave Nadel
Associate Professor Jorge Knijnik, Western Sydney University
Dr Carmel Black, President Professional Historians Australia
Rebecca Carland, Museums Victoria
Dr Jatinder Mann, Hong Kong Baptist University
Dr Tania Colwell, Australian National University
Professor Catherine Speck, University of Adelaide
John William Deane
Robert Hardcastle, Australian National University
Associate Lecturer Sophie Meredith, Charles Sturt University
Christopher B Yardley, ASSH and Military Historical Society of Australia
Dr Geoffrey Gray, University of Queensland
Patricia Sumerling
Dr Lucy Davies, Deakin University
Dr Ian Warren, Deakin University
Virginia Madsen, Macquarie University
Dr Jarrod Hore, Macquarie University
Dr Johanna Perheentupa, University of New South Wales
Emeritus Professor Alison Mackinnon, University of New South Wales
Professor Anne O’Brien, University of New South Wales
Emeritus Professor John Ingleson, University of New South Wales
Ms Hannah Viney, Monash University
Helen Stagg, Adelaide
Melinda Clarke
James Watson, Australian National University
Kira Sampson
Paula Hendrikx, University of Melbourne
Sianan Healy, University of Melbourne
Dr Patricia Curthoys, MPHA
Dr Bridget Brooklyn, Western Sydney University
Dr Angeline O’Neill, University of Notre Dame
Samuel Watts, University of Melbourne
Emeritus Professor Peggy Brock, Edith Cowan University
Andrew Derrington, Hindmarsh Resident’s Association Community Archive group
Tonia Chalk, University of Southern Queensland
Jack Bell, Professional historian
Dr Caroline Hubschmann, SHP
Dr Joelle Gergis, Australian National University
Dr Chris O’Brien
Honorary Fellow Dr Diana James, Australian National University and University of South Australia
Professor Trish FitzSimons, Griffith University
Dr Alison Pouliot, freelancer
Matthew Higgins
Dr Lizzie Summerfield, University of Melbourne
Norman Bennett, Vice-President Port Adelaide Historical Society
Adjunct Professor Noëlle Janaczewska, University of Queensland
Dr Johanna Kijas
Linda Evans, Macquarie University
Dr Diane Erceg
Associate Professor Adele Wessell, Southern Cross University
Dr Bernadette Hince, Australian National University
Ms Nicola Henriksson, SHP
Ms Liz Charpleix, University of New England
Gretel Evans, University of Melbourne
Dr Robyn Ballinger, History Making Pty Ltd
Bernard Z. Keo, Monash University
Dr Justine Philip, Museum Victoria
Associate Professor Don Garden, University of Melbourne
Dr K. Jan Oosthoek
Dr Sonya Duus
Emeritus Professor Jenny Hocking, Monash University
Dr Sue Feary, Heritage consultant
Executive Dean (HASS) Professor Heather Zwicker, University of Queensland
Dr Deborah Jordan, Monash University
Honorary Professor Sarah Paddle, Deakin University
Dr Johanna Conterio, Flinders University
Associate Professor Lisa Featherstone, University of Queensland
Dr Jillian Barnes, University of Newcastle
Emeritus Professor Ian Tyrrell, University of New South Wales
Nina Gallo
Dr Charmaine Robson, University of New South Wales
Judy M Fander, PHA South Australia
Robert Martin
Dr Robyn Arrowsmith
Professor Tom Brooking, University of Otago
Claire Lowrie, University of Wollongong
Dr Claire Fenby
Dr Jo Clyne
Dr Judith Buckrich, PHA
Stella M. Barber, PHA Vic Tas
Dr Robyn Mundy
Dr Meighen Katz
Paul Michell, Local Historian PHA
Anisa Puri, Monash University
Dr Aron Paul
Karen Wykes, PHA Vic & Tas
Dr John Carroll
Elizabeth Marsden
Alannah Croom
Lesley Alves, MPHA
Dr Leo Martin, Line of Sight Heritage
Dr Bill Wilson APM OAM, PHA Vic and Tas
Jo Guard
George Vanags
Caroline Evans, University of Tasmania
Natasha Joyce, PHA Vic and Tas.
Yvonne Perkins, freelance historian
Leigh McKinnon, Golden Dragon Museum
Dr Jill Wheeler
Christine Childs, PHA Vic
Helen D. Harris OAM, PHA
Dr Jillian Koshin, PHA Vic and Tas
Chris Johnston, La Trobe University
Ellen Spalding
Kathy Lothian
Dr. Lucy Davies, Deakin University
Michele Summerton, Historica
Karin Derkley
Joseph Parro
Honorary Associate Dr Michael Taffe, Federation University MPHA
Dr Mia E. M. Treacey
Georgia Meros
Margaret Bates
Claire Kearns, La Trobe University
Dr Sue Silberberg, University of Melbourne
Dr Gary Presland
Jennifer Rose
Dr Barbara Nichol
Kathy Eyles Fenner, Australian National University
Dr Heather Holst, University of New South Wales
Dr Margaret Hutchison, Australian Catholic University
Dr Kathleen Fennessy
Dr Crystal McKinnon, RMIT University
Tsari Anderson
Lisa Williams
Meg Quinlisk
Gwenda Sheridan
Professor Paul S.C. Tacon, Griffith University
Michael Ots, MPHA
Dr Louise Zarmati, University of Tasmania
Dr. Bronwyn Hughes OAM
Dr Terry Kass, Consulting Historian
Dr Michael Pearson AO
Susan Hill
Dr MacLaren North
Max Bourke AM, Founding Director Australian Heritage Commission
Robert Irving, architectural historian
C Hugh Pratten, historian and conservationist
Michal Bosworth
Denis Gojak, University of Sydney
Dr. Henriette von Holleuffer, Professional Historian
Dr Sandy Blair, University of Canberra
Dr Caroline Cosgrove
Helen Munt, Professional Historians Association WA Inc.
Dr Bruce Baskerville, University of Western Australia
Dr Brian Shepherd
Dr Leonie Liveris
Anne Yardley, Talking Histories
Dr Jan Korcek, PHA (WA)
Julia Wallis, Oral Historian
Other signatories
Professor Sue O’Connor, Australian National University
Dr Declan Kuch, University of New South Wales
Professor Iain Davidson, University of New England
Professor Robert van Krieken, University of Sydney
Ms Phillipa McGuinness, UNSW Press/NewSouth Publishing
Dr Tam Smith, The University of Queensland
Michael Lever, MAACAI MPHA, Heritage consultant
Professor Ian McNiven, Monash University
Associate Professor Annie Ross, The University of Queensland
Professor Jacqui True, Monash University
Professor Julianne Schultz AM, Griffith University
Associate Professor Janelle Stevenson, Australian National University
Dr Sean Winter, University of Western Australia
Associate Professor Martin Porr, University of Western Australia
Kathy Clark, Independent
Professor Jo McDonald, University of Western Australia
Associate Professor Leanne Weber, Monash University
Susan Arthure, Flinders University
Associate Professor Linda Williams, RMIT University
Dr Steve Brown, The University of Sydney
Professor Melodie A. McGeoch, Monash University
Colin Bright, Composer
Elizabeth Milford, Archivist
Professional Historians Association WA Inc.
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Open Letter from Australian Historians 