Former PM John Howard headlines History Illuminated

Published on 02 September 2022

Former Prime Minister John Howard and acclaimed author Mike Carlton will headline a star-studded History Illuminated festival kicking off this weekend in Lake Macquarie.

Mr Howard – Australia’s second-longest serving PM – will offer insights into what has defined us as a nation as part of an 8 September evening at Rathmines Theatre, hosted by local journalist and author Scott Bevan.

The political icon will also share stories and thoughts from his new book, A Sense of Balance.

Carlton will discuss his new naval history book, The Scrap Iron Flotilla, also with Scott Bevan, at a free event at Warners Bay Theatre on Saturday 10 September.

Lake Macquarie City Council Lifelong Learning Coordinator Kirrily Anderson said securing such high-profile talent was a boon for the city.

“We’re really proud of how History Illuminated has grown each year,” she said.

“We’ve put together a program designed to appeal to everyone in our community, regardless of whether they have any specific passion or expertise in history.”

Deputy Mayor Jason Pauling said the festival aimed to connect people, helping them learn from one another and share their lived experiences.

“The diversity of events that form part of History Illuminated demonstrates our community’s passion for history – exploring it, celebrating it and learning from it,” he said.

This year’s festival stretches from 2-12 September, across venues including Rathmines Theatre, Warners Bay Theatre, Lake Mac Libraries branches and the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang.

Prolific Lake Mac historian Ed Tonks will delve into Lake Macquarie’s mining heritage at a 10 September presentation at Warners Bay Theatre, while Greg and Sylvia Ray will share historic Hunter photos they have collected and compiled into a series of books at the same venue on 9 September.

Amateur genealogist Jill Ball will host a talk at Toronto Library on Thursday 8 September on using DNA testing to support family history research.

The talk will cover the types of tests available, reaching out to genetic matches and how to get started with DNA research.

Other festival highlights include:

• A walking tour exploring Swansea Channel’s history on 9 Septemberr
• A presentation by  Professor  Lyndall Ryan on her work mapping colonial frontier massacres showcasing world-renowned work being done locally at the University of Newcastle.
• An ‘old-time dance’ at Rathmines Theatre on 2 September
• A conversation between Scott Bevan and World War II Spitfire pilot Sid Handsaker at Warners Bay Theatre on 10 September

Many History Illuminated events are either free or are entry by gold coin donation. Others are ticketed. For more information and to book, go to library.lakemac.com.au.