Newcastle Family History Society Podcasts

Join us on a journey through more than two centuries of sacred history — the story of Christ Church Cathedral, the spiritual heart and architectural crown of Newcastle.

In the 19th century, Newcastle evolved from a remote convict outpost into a thriving coal powerhouse — a true “coalopolis.” In Part 2, Julie Keating picks up the story as monopolies, industrial ambition, and engineering ingenuity reshape the city’s future.

In Part Two, we move to Australian soil where Dr Jude Conway uncovers the extraordinary events at Bob’s Farm camp—where race, politics, and humanity collided in unexpected and lasting ways.

In this remarkable account, historian Dr Jude Conway relates a little-known chapter of wartime history—one that spans the jungles of Timor, the city streets of Newcastle, and a camouflaged refugee camp at Bob’s Farm.

In the 19th century, Newcastle evolved from a remote convict outpost into a thriving coal powerhouse — a true “coalopolis.” Society member Julie Keating digs into the mines, sails through treacherous harbours, and walks the streets laid out by early planners, revealing the people, places, and power struggles that shaped Newcastle.

In 1950, Zell Meehan was appointed secretary to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle. In 1956, aged 37, Zell married and as was the custom of the time, was expected to resign. However, Zell refused to do so.

In this episode, Mel Woodford takes us back to 1829 London, where two teenage girls, Rebecca Markham and Maria Beavis, were convicted for stealing 20 yards of cotton.

Benita Parker from the West Wallsend District Heritage Group guides us through West Wallsend’s transformation—from a forested hillside to a vibrant coal mining town, complete with its own railway and a thriving community.

Narelle Austen concludes this series, imagining the lives of those who lived and breathed Coal River.

In this audio extract from the March 2025 Female Convicts of the Hunter Valley Seminar, Dr Jude Conway reveals the life of Elizabeth Hannell – a Mother of Newcastle.

Benita Parker from the 'West Wallsend District Heritage Group', delves into the early ambitious attempts to uncover coal deposits, “In the Shadow of Mount Sugarloaf”.

Narelle Austin explores the relationships between the European settlers of Coal River and First Nations peoples and uncovers the stories of Commandant James Wallis, Awabakal leader Burigon and Joseph Lycett—an unlikely trio whose interactions preserved Aboriginal knowledge and captured glimpses of a culture under immense change.

Join Dr. Pamela Harrison OAM as she describes the journey that transformed palliative care in Newcastle and beyond.

Benita Parker from the 'West Wallsend District Heritage Group' tells of the life and times of Jospeh Holmes and his family, after whom the township of Holmesville is named.

Narelle Austen looks at the lives of convicts John Tucker and James Hardy Vaux and their significant co-operation with Commandant Thomas Skottowe, offering us a glimpse into a unique time and place in our local colonial history.

In this final episode of "How It Was: Advances in Medicine During my Lifetime", Dr. Pamela Harrison OAM reflects on groundbreaking discoveries, pivotal moments in patient care, and her personal contributions to the evolution of modern medicine.

Benita Parker from the 'West Wallsend District Heritage Group' recounts the journey of a traveller in the 19th century as he rides on horseback from Wallsend to Teralba, via Minmi through the heart of coal country.

Narelle Austen explores the lives of Commandant Purcell, Commandant Skottowe, and the convict artist Richard Browne. We respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this podcast contains the name of a deceased aboriginal person.

Dr. Pamela Harrison OAM, will take us back to a time when medical innovation was hands-on, resourceful, and sometimes a little peculiar.

Benita Parker from the West Wallsend District Heritage Group tells of the life of Joseph Notley, one of the first settlers "in the shadow of Mount Sugarloaf", who called that rugged landscape home.

Based on historical records, member, Narelle Austen takes us on journey to the unforgiving shores of Newcastle, New South Wales - a penal settlement where survival was a daily battle and artistry was a rare spark in the darkness.  

Join Dr Pamela Harrison OAM as she explores the fascinating history of medicine through her personal stories and lived experiences.

Benita Parker from the 'West Wallsend District Heritage Group' traces the early history of European settlement in the West Wallsend District and describes how pioneer families faced the challenges of a harsh and sometimes uncertain environment.

This podcast is an audio extract from the presentation given by Dr Nancy Cushing at the Society’s November 2024 meeting. The complete version can be viewed on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlefamilyhistorysoci2923

Jane Ison shares a short biography about her ancestors Elijah Abell and his wife Margaret Brown who both contributed to the civic and social fabric of Wallsend, NSW. Jane also talks about the hidden aspects of lives that can be uncovered by using DNA and how ancestral lines can be confirmed ... or not!