Speaking of History

A Radar Pioneer: Victor Burgmann

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/ [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 [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095260] A history of RADAR in Australia: https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/ [https://csiropedia.csiro.au/radar/] A brief history of the Blitz: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain [https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-blitz-around-britain] Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/ [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/] Listen to the full interview with Victor: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726  [https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91726%20]

A different path: Nancy Osborne’s Unusual Career

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 [http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17178137] Brief history of the WRENS: https://ornc.org/our-history/royal-naval-college/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  [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/ [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/] Listen to the full interview with Nancy: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146  [https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92146]

From Humble Beginnings to the High Court of Australia – Garfield Barwick

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.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 [https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Chief_Justice/Sir_Garfield_Edward_John_Barwick%20] Article - The Rise of Sir Garfield Barwick "There is always an answer" http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346 Visit the University of Sydney [http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-700352346%20Visit%20the%20University%20of%20Sydney%20] Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/  [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/%20] Listen to the full interview with Garfield: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650 [https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91650%20] Photo By National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576 [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136609576], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66301284]

Outnumbered but Never Defeated: Dulcie Barr on Studying Dentistry as a Woman in 1919

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 [https://speaking-of-history.transistor.fm/people/dr-vanessa-witton]. Interested to learn more?  A history of dentistry in NSW: https://slhd.health.nsw.gov.au/sydney-dental/about/history [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 [https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/dental_hospital_of_sydney] Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login] Listen to the full interview with Dulcie: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91647 [https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/91647]

A Pioneering Zoologist: Elizabeth Carrington Pope

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://untoldstories.net/1932/11/elizabeth-pope-marine-biologist/%20] https://australian.museum/about/history/people/elizabeth-carrington-pope/  [https://australian.museum/about/history/people/elizabeth-carrington-pope/%20] Visit the University of Sydney Archives: https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/users/login%20] Listen to the full interview with Elizabeth: https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92163 [https://archives-search.sydney.edu.au/nodes/view/92163%20] 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  [https://usydarchives.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/119111%20]