Speaking of History Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/speaking-of-history Speaking of History is a podcast series which explores stories hidden within the recently digitised cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. This series is part of the History of University Life. Copyright University of Sydney 2024 66cea0df-0e66-5ce4-8034-109d26f25edf no Peter Adams Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Introducing Speaking of History en Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:47:26 +1000 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:23:15 +1100 https://img.transistor.fm/4MlrGmI_866C6avWYvAqFRljJqVnUm-FQtG13Su4sd8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQzNzAyLzE3MDMw/NjExMTctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Speaking of History episodic Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Speaking of History is a podcast series which explores stories hidden within the recently digitised cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. This series is part of the History of University Life. Speaking of History is a podcast series which explores stories hidden within the recently digitised cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. oral history Peter Adams soh.online@sydney.edu.au No No A Radar Pioneer: Victor Burgmann 6 6 A Radar Pioneer: Victor Burgmann full 5548bb96-a693-4677-b8ee-bce9f844ab64 https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/6 In this episode, we learn about the work of Victor Burgmann who as a fresh Engineering uni graduate was sent to London during the Blitz of WWII to research RADAR. We hear about his life during the war and the enduring legacy of his wartime research. 

Voicing of Victor Burgmann performed by Associate Professor Nick Eckstein from the University of Sydney.

Interested to learn more?

https://csiropedia.csiro.au/burgmann-victor-dudley/

Obituary: VICTOR BURGMANN CSIRO stalwart was radar pioneer (1991, February 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 13. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095260

A history of RADAR in Australia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/

A brief history of the Blitz: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/
Listen to the full interview with Victor:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726 

]]> In this episode, we learn about the work of Victor Burgmann who as a fresh Engineering uni graduate was sent to London during the Blitz of WWII to research RADAR. We hear about his life during the war and the enduring legacy of his wartime research. 

Voicing of Victor Burgmann performed by Associate Professor Nick Eckstein from the University of Sydney.

Interested to learn more?

https://csiropedia.csiro.au/burgmann-victor-dudley/

Obituary: VICTOR BURGMANN CSIRO stalwart was radar pioneer (1991, February 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 13. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095260

A history of RADAR in Australia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/

A brief history of the Blitz: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/
Listen to the full interview with Victor:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726 

]]> Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:30:00 +1000 Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Dr Gabrielle Kemmis 530 In this episode, we learn about the work of Victor Burgmann who as a fresh Engineering uni graduate was sent to London during the Blitz of WWII to research RADAR. We hear about his life during the war and the enduring legacy of his wartime research. 

Voicing of Victor Burgmann performed by Associate Professor Nick Eckstein from the University of Sydney.

Interested to learn more?

https://csiropedia.csiro.au/burgmann-victor-dudley/

Obituary: VICTOR BURGMANN CSIRO stalwart was radar pioneer (1991, February 9). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 13. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095260

A history of RADAR in Australia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/

A brief history of the Blitz: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/
Listen to the full interview with Victor:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726 

]]> oral history No Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Peter Adams A different path: Nancy Osborne’s Unusual Career 5 5 A different path: Nancy Osborne’s Unusual Career full a7464748-f772-42a5-b3f5-90460d10a275 https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/5 In this episode, we listen to Arts graduate Nancy Osborne, talk about what it was like to be an independent career woman in the twentieth century. We hear about her uni days, career in London during the 1930s and work as a WREN during World War II. 

Host - Dr Gabrielle Kemmis

Dulcie Barr voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton

Producer - Peter Adams

Producer - Professor Julia Horne

Interested to learn more? 

More on Nancy’s career in the UK before WWII: SYDNEY GRADUATE. (1935, July 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved September 7, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17178137

Brief history of the WRENS: https://ornc.org/our-history/royal-naval-college/the-wrens/ 


Longer history of the WRENS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6650048.shtml 


A promotional film for the WRENS held by the Australian War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzijXZlzT4 Visit the University of

Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Nancy: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146 

]]> In this episode, we listen to Arts graduate Nancy Osborne, talk about what it was like to be an independent career woman in the twentieth century. We hear about her uni days, career in London during the 1930s and work as a WREN during World War II. 

Host - Dr Gabrielle Kemmis

Dulcie Barr voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton

Producer - Peter Adams

Producer - Professor Julia Horne

Interested to learn more? 

More on Nancy’s career in the UK before WWII: SYDNEY GRADUATE. (1935, July 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved September 7, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17178137

Brief history of the WRENS: https://ornc.org/our-history/royal-naval-college/the-wrens/ 


Longer history of the WRENS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6650048.shtml 


A promotional film for the WRENS held by the Australian War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzijXZlzT4 Visit the University of

Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Nancy: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146 

]]> Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:30:00 +1000 Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Dr Gabrielle Kemmis 528 In this episode, we listen to Arts graduate Nancy Osborne, talk about what it was like to be an independent career woman in the twentieth century. We hear about her uni days, career in London during the 1930s and work as a WREN during World War II. 

Host - Dr Gabrielle Kemmis

Dulcie Barr voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton

Producer - Peter Adams

Producer - Professor Julia Horne

Interested to learn more? 

More on Nancy’s career in the UK before WWII: SYDNEY GRADUATE. (1935, July 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 14 (Women's Supplement). Retrieved September 7, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17178137

Brief history of the WRENS: https://ornc.org/our-history/royal-naval-college/the-wrens/ 


Longer history of the WRENS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a6650048.shtml 


A promotional film for the WRENS held by the Australian War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzijXZlzT4 Visit the University of

Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Nancy: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146 

]]> oral history, WWII, WRENS, London, women graduates from University of Sydney No Peter Adams Dr Gabrielle Kemmis From Humble Beginnings to the High Court of Australia – Garfield Barwick 4 4 From Humble Beginnings to the High Court of Australia – Garfield Barwick full 717e7693-d11d-4872-aba3-31084c0480fd https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/4 Garfield Barwick is perhaps best known due to his work as the longest serving Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1964-1981. Yet we all start somewhere. In this episode we hear Barwick talk about his memories of being a law student at the University of Sydney in the 1920s, and his early days as a barrister in Sydney. 


Interested to learn more? 

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/artworks/portraits-of-chief-justices/the-rt-hon-sir-garfield-barwick

https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Chief_Justice/Sir_Garfield_Edward_John_Barwick

Article - The Rise of Sir Garfield Barwick "There is always an answer" http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346 Visit the University of Sydney

Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/ 


Listen to the full interview with Garfield: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650

Photo By National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284

]]> Garfield Barwick is perhaps best known due to his work as the longest serving Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1964-1981. Yet we all start somewhere. In this episode we hear Barwick talk about his memories of being a law student at the University of Sydney in the 1920s, and his early days as a barrister in Sydney. 


Interested to learn more? 

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/artworks/portraits-of-chief-justices/the-rt-hon-sir-garfield-barwick

https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Chief_Justice/Sir_Garfield_Edward_John_Barwick

Article - The Rise of Sir Garfield Barwick "There is always an answer" http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346 Visit the University of Sydney

Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/ 


Listen to the full interview with Garfield: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650

Photo By National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284

]]> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 08:30:00 +1000 Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Dr Gabrielle Kemmis 516 Garfield Barwick is perhaps best known due to his work as the longest serving Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1964-1981. Yet we all start somewhere. In this episode we hear Barwick talk about his memories of being a law student at the University of Sydney in the 1920s, and his early days as a barrister in Sydney. 


Interested to learn more? 

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/artworks/portraits-of-chief-justices/the-rt-hon-sir-garfield-barwick

https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Chief_Justice/Sir_Garfield_Edward_John_Barwick

Article - The Rise of Sir Garfield Barwick "There is always an answer" http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346 Visit the University of Sydney

Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/ 


Listen to the full interview with Garfield: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650

Photo By National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284

]]> oral history, barrister, chief justice, judge, High Court of Australia, law student, Sir Garfield Barwick, University of Sydney graduate No Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Peter Adams Outnumbered but Never Defeated: Dulcie Barr on Studying Dentistry as a Woman in 1919 3 3 Outnumbered but Never Defeated: Dulcie Barr on Studying Dentistry as a Woman in 1919 full 47b43767-d083-436d-ac4c-7d786605c26e https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/3 In this episode, we listen to Dulcie Barr, one of only two women enrolled in the dentistry course in 1919. She talks about her time as a student and how she faced every challenge thrown at her with aplomb.

Dulcie Barr is voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton.


Interested to learn more? 

A history of dentistry in NSW: https://slhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sydney-dental/about/history

Some more info about Sydney’s Dental Hospital: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/dental_hospital_of_sydney

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Dulcie: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91647 

]]> In this episode, we listen to Dulcie Barr, one of only two women enrolled in the dentistry course in 1919. She talks about her time as a student and how she faced every challenge thrown at her with aplomb.

Dulcie Barr is voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton.


Interested to learn more? 

A history of dentistry in NSW: https://slhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sydney-dental/about/history

Some more info about Sydney’s Dental Hospital: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/dental_hospital_of_sydney

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Dulcie: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91647 

]]> Wed, 03 Jul 2024 08:30:00 +1000 Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Dr Gabrielle Kemmis 573 In this episode, we listen to Dulcie Barr, one of only two women enrolled in the dentistry course in 1919. She talks about her time as a student and how she faced every challenge thrown at her with aplomb.

Dulcie Barr is voiced by Dr Vanessa Witton.


Interested to learn more? 

A history of dentistry in NSW: https://slhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sydney-dental/about/history

Some more info about Sydney’s Dental Hospital: https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/dental_hospital_of_sydney

Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Dulcie: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91647 

]]> oral history, dentistry, pioneering women dentists, WW1, University of Sydney graduates No Peter Adams Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Dr Vanessa Witton A Pioneering Zoologist: Elizabeth Carrington Pope 2 2 A Pioneering Zoologist: Elizabeth Carrington Pope full 50edfe1c-cbed-4072-9e96-bda7d2baf75b https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/2 In this episode, we take a listen to marine zoologist Elizabeth Carrington Pope, who reflects on her time as a student at the University of Sydney in the 1930s, and on her mentor W. J. Dakin, professor of zoology. In a profession dominated by men, Pope was a successful female scientist who became the first university graduate to land a job at the Australian Museum. 



Want to know more about Pope’s career?
https://untoldstories.net/1932/11/elizabeth-pope-marine-biologist/
https://australian.museum/about/history/people/elizabeth-carrington-pope/ 


Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Elizabeth: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92163

Episode Photo Credit: Zoology Department Staff Undertaking Field Work 2 (1930s), [REF-00070251]. University of Sydney Archives, accessed 26/07/2023, https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/119111 

]]> In this episode, we take a listen to marine zoologist Elizabeth Carrington Pope, who reflects on her time as a student at the University of Sydney in the 1930s, and on her mentor W. J. Dakin, professor of zoology. In a profession dominated by men, Pope was a successful female scientist who became the first university graduate to land a job at the Australian Museum. 



Want to know more about Pope’s career?
https://untoldstories.net/1932/11/elizabeth-pope-marine-biologist/
https://australian.museum/about/history/people/elizabeth-carrington-pope/ 


Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Elizabeth: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92163

Episode Photo Credit: Zoology Department Staff Undertaking Field Work 2 (1930s), [REF-00070251]. University of Sydney Archives, accessed 26/07/2023, https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/119111 

]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:30:00 +1000 University of Sydney School of Humanities University of Sydney School of Humanities 598 In this episode, we take a listen to marine zoologist Elizabeth Carrington Pope, who reflects on her time as a student at the University of Sydney in the 1930s, and on her mentor W. J. Dakin, professor of zoology. In a profession dominated by men, Pope was a successful female scientist who became the first university graduate to land a job at the Australian Museum. 



Want to know more about Pope’s career?
https://untoldstories.net/1932/11/elizabeth-pope-marine-biologist/
https://australian.museum/about/history/people/elizabeth-carrington-pope/ 


Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login

Listen to the full interview with Elizabeth: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92163

Episode Photo Credit: Zoology Department Staff Undertaking Field Work 2 (1930s), [REF-00070251]. University of Sydney Archives, accessed 26/07/2023, https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/119111 

]]> oral history, Elizabeth Carrington Pope, zoologist, zoology, Australian Museum, Sydney, science, women, University of Sydney graduate No Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Peter Adams Telling the Truth: Hermann David Black on WWII Censorship in Australia 1 1 Telling the Truth: Hermann David Black on WWII Censorship in Australia full 9f84b435-e471-4249-a89c-8800174be886 https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/s1/1 In this episode, we listen to University of Sydney stalwart Hermann Black talk about his memories of censorship in Australian media during World War II, and how he ensured the public knew the truth. 

Interested to learn more? 


A brief history of Censorship in Australia during WWII: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/Media_ownership/1939-1949

A briefer history of censorship in WWII:
https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/kids/sydney-education/loose-lips-sink-ships

What’s a roneo?
https://collection.maas.museum/object/11318

Visit the University of Sydney Archives:
https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Hermann:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91681 

]]> In this episode, we listen to University of Sydney stalwart Hermann Black talk about his memories of censorship in Australian media during World War II, and how he ensured the public knew the truth. 

Interested to learn more? 


A brief history of Censorship in Australia during WWII: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/Media_ownership/1939-1949

A briefer history of censorship in WWII:
https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/kids/sydney-education/loose-lips-sink-ships

What’s a roneo?
https://collection.maas.museum/object/11318

Visit the University of Sydney Archives:
https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Hermann:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91681 

]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:30:00 +1000 University of Sydney School of Humanities University of Sydney School of Humanities 628 In this episode, we listen to University of Sydney stalwart Hermann Black talk about his memories of censorship in Australian media during World War II, and how he ensured the public knew the truth. 

Interested to learn more? 


A brief history of Censorship in Australia during WWII: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/Media_ownership/1939-1949

A briefer history of censorship in WWII:
https://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/kids/sydney-education/loose-lips-sink-ships

What’s a roneo?
https://collection.maas.museum/object/11318

Visit the University of Sydney Archives:
https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/

Listen to the full interview with Hermann:
https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91681 

]]> university of sydney graduates, oral history, WWII, censorship, Australian Radio broadcasts, Sydney, No Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Peter Adams Introducing Speaking of History Introducing Speaking of History trailer 5a98c1a1-03fb-4a8c-8714-7abb9be78b86 https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/episodes/introducing-speaking-of-history Professor Julia Horne introduces a new History of University Life podcast series, Speaking of History, presented by Dr Gabrielle Kemmis. The series draws on recently digitized cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. 

 

Six people feature in this series: Elizabeth Pope, Sir Garfield Barwick, Dulcie Barr, Nancy Osborne, Hermann Black, and Victor Burgmann, all students at the University between the wars, who went on to interesting and varied careers.

The series is supported by the School of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. This promotional episode features Julia Horne, Gabrielle Kemmis and Elizabeth Pope. Technical production by Peter Adams

 

]]> Professor Julia Horne introduces a new History of University Life podcast series, Speaking of History, presented by Dr Gabrielle Kemmis. The series draws on recently digitized cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. 

 

Six people feature in this series: Elizabeth Pope, Sir Garfield Barwick, Dulcie Barr, Nancy Osborne, Hermann Black, and Victor Burgmann, all students at the University between the wars, who went on to interesting and varied careers.

The series is supported by the School of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. This promotional episode features Julia Horne, Gabrielle Kemmis and Elizabeth Pope. Technical production by Peter Adams

 

]]> Thu, 06 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +1000 Professor Julia Horne Professor Julia Horne 241 Professor Julia Horne introduces a new History of University Life podcast series, Speaking of History, presented by Dr Gabrielle Kemmis. The series draws on recently digitized cassette tapes of interviews conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with former University of Sydney staff and students. 

 

Six people feature in this series: Elizabeth Pope, Sir Garfield Barwick, Dulcie Barr, Nancy Osborne, Hermann Black, and Victor Burgmann, all students at the University between the wars, who went on to interesting and varied careers.

The series is supported by the School of Humanities in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. This promotional episode features Julia Horne, Gabrielle Kemmis and Elizabeth Pope. Technical production by Peter Adams

 

]]> oral history No Peter Adams Dr Gabrielle Kemmis Professor Julia Horne