In the aftermath of World War One, nations came together in an attempt to ensure war on the same devastating scale could never occur again. The result? The League of Nations: a revolutionary idea to form the world’s first international organisation. But clearly it did not stop the world from going to war. A century later we are still questioning our ability to come together. In this episode, Glenda Sluga and Ninah Kopel search for the ephemeral traces of a unified past. They find stories of hope, ambition but also skeletons lurking in the closet. Many say the League failed. But did the spirit live on?

Skeletons of Empire

History Lab || exploring the gaps between us and the past || This series is made in collaboration by the Australian Centre for Public History and Impact Studios at the University of Technology, Sydney.

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In 1887 there were no less than 22 hotels in Darlinghurst. Over the next century and a half, the character, culture and clientele of Darlinghurst pubs evolved. This story explores the impact on Darlinghurst of two episodes of liquor licensing restrictions in NSW: six o’clock closing and the Sydney lockout laws. 
 
Image: Royal Sovereign Hotel, corner Darlinghurst Rd and Liverpool St, 1921 (City of Sydney Archives) 
 
Credits 
 
This audio story is a production of the Australian Centre for Public History in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. 
‍ 
Producer: Catherine Freyne 
Sound engineer: Judy Rapley 
Music:  

Blue Dot Sessions  
When Paris is Singing by Dazie Mae licensed under CC by NC-SA 3.0 US 

Archival: ABC Content Sales 
‍ 
Featuring: 

Paul Solomon, publican’s son and grandson 
Max Burns-McRuvie, owner of Journeywalks 
Tyson Koh, founder of Keep Sydney Open 


6. Last Drinks

Terraces, flats, squats, bedsits, mansions, towers, camps and hostels: in Darlinghurst, housing is a mixed bag. This audio story explores the range of lifestyles afforded by Darlinghurst’s dense diversity of dwellings. 
 
Image: Pad with a View, Kings Cross 1970-71 (Photographer: Rennie Ellis © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive) 
 
Credits 
 
This audio story is a production of the Australian Centre for Public History in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. 
‍ 
Producer: Catherine Freyne 
Sound engineer: Judy Rapley 
Music:  

Blue Dot Sessions 
Sum of My Fears, When Paris is Singing and A New Love Affair by Dazie Maelicensed under CC by NC-SA 3.0 US 
Garage by Monplaisir licensed under CC by CC0 1.0 
Korobushka by the Rosen Sisters licensed under CC by NC-ND 4.0 

 
 
Featuring: 

Jan Cornall, former resident of Darlinghurst squats 
Paul Solomon, publican’s son and grandson 
Phillip Adams, former owner of Stoneleigh 
Shannon Dalton, former Assistant Manager of the Darlo Bar 


5. Room With A View

At St Vincent's Hospital, the Sisters of Charity have been delivering care to the people of Darlinghurst since 1857. This audio story visits St Vincent’s during three historic public health emergencies: the Spanish Flu, the HIV/AIDS crisis and COVID-19. 
 
Image: Sister and nurse with home visitation car, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney (Courtesy of the Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia) 
 
Credits 
 
This audio story is a production of the Australian Centre for Public History in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. 
‍ 
Producer: Catherine Freyne 
Sound engineer: Judy Rapley 
Music: Blue Dot Sessions; The Tudor Consort licensed under CC by 3.0  
Archival: ABC Content Sales 
‍ 
Featuring: 

David Polson, former patient at Ward 17 South at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. 
Erin Longbottom, Nursing Unit Manager, Homeless Health Outreach Service, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. 
An excerpt from St Vincent’s Hospital Annual Report 1919 read by Marie Freyne. 


4. Pandemic Times

In the rapidly gentrifying Darlinghurst of the 1980s, a turf war raged over one of its earliest trades. In this story, we visit the street corners and safe houses where sex workers competed for customers, looked out for each other and stood their ground. Along the way, veterans of the street-based trade describe a changing industry, sharing stories from the frontline of the fight for law reform and workers’ rights. 
 
If you would like to sign the petition to bring the statue of Joy back to Darlinghurst, visit http://tiny.cc/dfhavz 
 
Image: Woods Lane 1968 (Tribune negative; Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales courtesy SEARCH Foundation) 
 
Credits 
 
This audio story is a production of the Australian Centre for Public History in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. 
‍ 
Producer: Catherine Freyne 
Sound engineer: Judy Rapley 
Music: Blue Dot Sessions 
Archival: ABC Library Sales 
‍ 
Featuring: 

Julie Bates, veteran sex worker activist; Principal of Urban Realists Planning and Health Consultants. 
Chantell Martin, veteran sex worker; Co-CEO of Sex Workers Outreach Project. 


3. Red Light Green Light

Darlinghurst has always been a magnet and a haven for exiles and misfits. With writer and Darlo-phile Sunil Badami as guide, this audio story celebrates a handful of local characters and eccentrics, reflecting on the material conditions that enable unconventional people to thrive.   
 
Image: Hare Krishna, Kings Cross 1970-71 (Photographer: Rennie Ellis © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive)  
 
Credits 
 
This audio story is a production of the Australian Centre for Public History in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation. 
‍ 
Producer: Catherine Freyne 
Sound engineer: Judy Rapley 
Music:  

Blue Dot Sessions 
I Love Her, She Loves Me by Atlantic City Orchestra licensed under a Public Domain / Sound Recording Common Law Protection License 
Eyes Getting Louder and Hope Its Today by Mod Fun licensed under CC by NC 4.0 

 
Featuring: 

Sunil Badami, writer and raconteur 

 

Skeletons of Empire

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