Writing the Great War: personal stories to contemporary history explored how Australians responded to the First World War through writing. From eyewitness accounts of journalists, soldiers and nurses, and a century of creative responses of poets and novelists, through to the historical interpretations of the event, the first great conflict engaged in by literate populations around the globe left an incredible written legacy. This seminar explores this breadth of writing, both for the public and for personal memory.
Session One: The Eyewitness
In the midst of war, people were recording their thoughts observations and experiences – for their private records, for publication and to influence. Here we explore the reports of the war, from private correspondence to the journalism of the time.
Speakers: Dr Michael McKernan, Dr Janet Butler, Dr Ross McMullin
Session Two: The Poets' War
A substantial number of poets became soldiers in World War 1. This session will introduce some wartime poetry and look at the context and scope of creative output.
Speakers: Malcolm St Hill, Dr Ann Vickery, Dr Philip Butterss
Session Three: Responding to the Great War
For a century, the war has captured the creative imagination of Australia’s fiction writers. What did it mean to writers of the day and how have interpretations changed over time?
Speakers: Dr Clare Rhoden, Dr Susannah Helman, Dr Adrian Caesar
Session Four: Making History
The history of the First World War has been told and retold. In our final session, historians explore how the history of the war has been made and where public and academic interpretation stands today.
Speakers: Peter Rees, Dr Joan Beaumont
