This special State History Conference to mark 175 years since the official foundation of the Province of South Australia was held over three days, from 5 to 7 August, at the National Wine Centre, Adelaide, in conjunction with the inaugural national Australian Council of Professional Historians Association conference.
A total of 224 delegates attended, and heard papers on a range of topics across the two conference streams. Many of the State History Conference papers took the opportunity offered by the conference theme (‘rethinking South Australia’s history’) to present new perspectives or research as thought-provoking papers on topics including identity, migration history, planning and architecture, and Aboriginal rights. Delegates followed with engaged questions, and lively discussion continued into breaks.
This year we extended an invitation to join us to the many historians in other parts of Australia who have lived or worked in South Australia, or worked on South Australian sources. As a result, we welcomed many interstate presenters and delegates, including eminent historians who contributed to the wide-ranging discussion. Conference presenters enjoyed the generous hospitality of Governor and Mrs Scarce at a vice-regal reception on the Friday evening, and many conference delegates enjoyed the conference dinner at the Wine Centre on Saturday evening.
History SA is grateful for the support of our conference sponsors: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the History Council of South Australia, the Historical Society of South Australia, State Records of South Australia, Museums Australia (South Australian branch) and Wakefield Press.