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Events

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Brisbane launch, ‘Line of Fire’ The Brisbane launch of Ian’s third book, ‘Line of Fire’, will be held at Avid Reader bookshop, West End, 10 February 2017

‘Under The Skin’ The second QANZAC100 Fellows work-in-progress event will explore the hidden histories of Queensland’s heroic women of the First World War; families, memories and the legacy of loss; and the plight of WWl deserters. Join Fellows Victoria Carless, Ursula Cleary, Dr Mark Cryle and Dr Maria Quirk as they present and discuss their research into the many stories of Queensland during the First World War. MC Ian Townsend. State Library of Queensland (SLQ), 28 February 2017

‘On The Home Front’ Symposium Like much of Australia during the years of the First World War, Queensland was a divided society. Debates about conscription, the evolving role of women, and the growing number of broken families characterised a state that was struggling to cope with rapid systemic change. Facilitator Ian Townsend. SLQ, 10-11 May 2016

Watch Mick Dodson and Joan Beaumont Q&A with Ian Townsend SLQ, 11 May 2016

Watch ‘The Lives of Others’ panel discussion Professor Joy Damousi, University of Melbourne, Dr Raymond Evans, Griffith University and University of Queensland, and Adjunct Professor Gerhard Fischer, University of New South Wales, in a panel discussion hosted by Ian Townsend. SLQ, 11 May 2016

Watch ‘Hearts and Minds’ panel discussion Professor John Pearn, University of Queensland, Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University, and Dr Alana Piper, Griffith University, in conversation with Ian Townsend. SLQ, 11 May 2016

2016 Heritage Leaders Workshop: Creating a legacy Hosted by author and journalist Ian Townsend, key note speakers inspired participants with new ways of looking at Queensland’s involvement in the First World War, untold Anzac stories and the home front. SLQ, 11-13 May 2016

Watch Professor Bruce Scates in conversation with Ian Townsend at the 2016 Heritage Leaders Workshop. SLQ, 12 May 2016

Watch ‘Creative Expressions of Memory’ panel discussion A panel of creative minds share their experiences in using collections, and discuss how archival materials and historical records can drive, inform, inspire and shape creative projects to engage communities and frame memory. Facilitated by Ian Townsend, with Elaine Acworth, QANZAC100 Fellow and playwright (‘My Father’s Wars’), Daniel Evans, writer and director Queensland Music Festival (‘One Hundred and One Stories’), and Tom Nicholson, artist (‘Comparative Monument, Palestine’) SLQ, 12 May 2016

Watch ‘Queensland Local Stories’ panel discussion led by Ian Townsend and featuring local First World War projects described by Bronwyn Davies, Coordinator of Cultural Services, Scenic Rim Regional Council (‘War stories of our town’), Phil Manning, Curator of the Museum of Brisbane (‘Facing WW1: Stories of loyalty, loss and love’), Dr Jo Wills, Museum Development Officer at the Queensland Museum (‘Anzac Treasures of the Tablelands and other community projects in Far North Queensland’) and Dr Matt Finch, Creative in Residence at the SLQ (signature programming and regional outreach) SLQ, 13 May 2016

Brisbane Folk Music: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow What role has folk music played in Brisbane’s political, social and cultural history? Ian Townsend speaks to Folk Centre performer Sue Wighton and second-generation singer-songwriter Rebecca Wright as part of the State Library of Queensland’s John Oxley Library series, ‘A Night in the JOL’. John Oxley Library (JOL), 15 September 2015

‘Under The Skin’ Over the previous seven months Queensland’s experience of the First World War had been explored by the State Library of Queensland’s 2015 QANZAC100 Fellows. Elaine Acworth, Dr Neville Buch, Dr Robert Hogg and John Thompson discuss their research with Ian Townsend. SLQ, 8 September 2015

Your Affectionate Son Delve into the large collections of original letters, postcards and diaries related to the First World War that Queensland State Library staff and an army of volunteers have meticulously itemised and digitised. Hear Dr Robert Keane, Associate Professor W. Ross Johnston and Dr Robert Hogg discussing their finds with Ian Townsend during ‘A Night in the JOL’. JOL, 18 August 2015

Democracy: Is Queensland Different? The quest for good governance and the preservation of hard won democratic principles have been preoccupations for much of Queensland’s political history. Hear from political journalist turned academic Dr Lorann Downer and prize-winning author and journalist Matt Condon as they discuss with Ian Townsend the 2015 Queensland state election and the history of the democratic process in Queensland. JOL, 21 July 2015

The Vital Track: 150 Years of Railways in Queensland The first railway in Queensland, between Ipswich and Bigge’s Camp, was opened on 31 July 1865. Hear from Greg Hallam, historian at Queensland Rail, and Dr Geraldine Mate, Senior Curator at The Workshops Rail Museum, as they discuss the role the railways played in the economic and social development of the state. Hosted by Ian Townsend. JOL, 16 June 2015

Preserving Our Built Heritage Hear architects Richard Allom and Desley Campbell-Stewart in conversation with Ian Townsend to discuss the preservation and continued use of Queensland’s heritage buildings. JOL, 19 May 2015

Anzac Day in Queensland Hear historians Mark Cryle and Professor Martin Crotty as they discuss with Ian Townsend the origins of Anzac Day in Queensland, and how the event organised in 1916 developed into the commemoration we know today. JOL, 21 April 2015

The Medical Front, WW1 Hear distinguished army medical officers and historians Professor John Pearn AO, RFD, and Dr Robert Likeman CSM as they discuss with Ian Townsend the contribution of Queensland doctors and nurses who served on the front line during WWI. JOL, 21 October 2014

Modern Designs in Brisbane Craftsman’s Market, which opened in Toowong in the 1960s, and West’s Furniture Emporium, active during the 1950s in Fortitude Valley, brought cutting-edge European design to Brisbane. Hear stories about the designs, the local interpretations and the legacies of these two significant enterprises from Eddie Codd and Robert Riddel, in conversation with Ian Townsend. JOL, 23 September 2014

In Conversation: Clare Wright As part of the Brisbane Writers Festival, 2014 Stella Prize winning author, historian and broadcaster Clare Wright shared the remarkable history of the women of Eureka. Clare discussed her book, ‘The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka’, with Ian Townsend The University of Queensland Library, 5 September 2014

Fashion Innovators: Then and Now Innovation has been a key factor defining Queensland’s fashion industry. Hear Dr Michael Marendy, curator and textiles conservator, and Clare Collyer, designer, in conversation with Ian Townsend about Queensland’s unique fashion history and future. JOL, 19 August 2014

The Johnstone Gallery The Johnstone Gallery operated in Brisbane from 1950–72, a seminal time in the development of an audience for contemporary art in Australia. The gallery represented major Australian artists of the period, and upon its closure, Marjorie Johnstone bequeathed the records of the gallery to the State Library of Queensland. Hear from gallerist and former Assistant Director of the Johnstone Gallery, Victor Mace, and Simon Elliott, Assistant Director Curatorial and Educational Services at the National Gallery of Australia, in conversation with Ian Townsend. Presented in association with the University of Queensland Art Museum exhibition ‘A glimpse of the Johnstone Gallery 1950–1972’.
JOL, 15 July 2014

The War That Changed Us: Behind The Scenes Hear award-winning historian, author and broadcaster Clare Wright and ABC Head of Factual, Phil Craig, as they discuss the making of the documentary series ‘The War That Changed Us’. In conversation with Ian Townsend. SLQ, 8 July 2014

Intersections: Art and Literature David Malouf and Friends showcases the broad and timeless themes of Malouf’s work. This panel discussed Malouf’s work and the shared influences of art and literature, and featured Bronwyn Lea (University of Queensland), art dealer Bruce Heiser, Suzy Wilson (Riverbend Books), Gillian Whitlock (University of Queensland) and Museum of Brisbane Director Peter Denham. Facilitated by Ian Townsend. The University of Queensland Library, 22 June 2014

Queensland Places Hear Queensland historians Professor Peter Spearritt from The University of Queensland and Andrew Moritz from the Workshops Rail Museum, in conversation with Ian Townsend, as they highlight the way in which place names have been documented in Queensland. JOL, 17 June 2014

The Queensland Home Front Much is known and celebrated about the exploits of Australian soldiers during the Great War. Far less is understood of the society they left behind and how the ordeal of waging war transformed it. Hear historians Professor Raymond Evans and Mark Cryle in conversation with Ian Townsend as they discuss the deep-seated social conflicts that intensified under the stress of war. JOL, 22 April 2014

Music and Libraries Historical archives can provide a rich source of material for musicians. Hear musical director, entertainer and teacher Dr Robert Keane, along with folk singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter John Thompson in conversation with Ian Townsend, discussing how libraries can inspire and inform their compositions and performance. JOL, 11 March 2014

What is science journalism? Journalism. Communications. Public relations. Advocacy. When it comes to presenting science in the public sphere, all have an important part to play. But are boundaries becoming dangerously blurred? Hear journalists Graham Readfearn, Ian Townsend, Jenni Metcalfe and Leigh Dayton discuss the past, present and future of science journalism with ABC Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell. Australian Science Communicators National Conference, 3 February 2014

Cyclone Mahina: Australia’s deadliest storm In 1899, one of the most intense cyclones recorded smashed into the Queensland coast and killed more than 300 people. Cyclone Mahina destroyed the Thursday Island pearling fleets and is in the record books for producing the world’s highest storm surge. Hear Ian Townsend as he explores some of the myths and misconceptions about this cyclone, revealing stories of the people who were there. Out of the Port lectures, SLQ, 19 October 2011