Patrons

Anna Burke - Patron

Anna will need little introduction to many of you as she acted as MP for electorate of Chisholm in the Federal Parliament between 1998 and 2016.  During that time from late 2012 to late 2013 she was also Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives. Since retiring from politics Anna has more recently been appointed as a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. For those involved in local history societies, Anna has always been well regarded for her support for the work of these societies and community groups in general.  We were therefore delighted when, against the backdrop of her interest in the area and its history and her distinguished public career, Anna agreed to accept the role of Patron.  We look forward to a long and engaging relationship with Anna Burke as Patron.

Professor Bain Attwood of Monash University - Vice-Patron

Bain is a distinguished academic who has published extensively in the history of settler colonialism and indigenous history. His book Possession: Batman's Treaty and the Matter of History (2009) won the 2010 Ernest Scott Prize for the most distinguished contribution to the history of Australia or New Zealand or to the history of colonisation.  I won't list all of his publications, which would take a while!  Bain has held fellowships at the Australian National University, Cambridge University as well as the Visiting Professorship in Australian Studies at Harvard University.  Naturally we were very pleased when Bain agreed to become our Vice-Patron and we are in discussion as to how we can work with Monash University to the benefit of our society.