The Changing Face of Melbourne’s History: Transforming our Statues and Memorials

Melbourne’s statues overwhelmingly depict powerful white men and represent a narrow selection of our history. Recent campaigns to increase the representation of women and Indigenous Australians in Melbourne statues and memorials have begun to change the public face of Melbourne’s past and present. This Making Public Histories webinar will explore challenges and opportunities for recreating Melbourne statues and memorials and re-visualising our past. Panelists will include visual artist Catherine Bell (Australian Catholic University) whose ‘Maker Unknown’ project reimagines the City of Melbourne’s Memorial Drinking Fountains as feminist monuments;  Daniel Browning, ABC Editor Indigenous Radio and Presenter of The Art Show; and historian Clare Wright (Latrobe University) co-convenor of lobby group A Monument of One’s Own.

Professor Al Thomson of Monash University will host the evening and HCV Executive Officer Alicia Cerreto will facilitate the Q&A.​

The seminar is part of an ongoing series, Making Public Histories, that is offered jointly by the Monash University History Program, the History Council of Victoria and the Old Treasury Building. Each seminar aims to explore issues and approaches in making public histories. The seminars are open, free of charge, to anyone interested in the creation and impact of history in contemporary society. Click HERE to learn about other events in the series.

We thank the series sponsors, Monash University Publishing, the Monash University History Program and the Old Treasury Building.