Symposium & AGM 2025

Sharing complex oral histories with broad audiences: navigating the opportunities and challenges

Date: 21 November 2025

Time: 9:45am – 2:20pm (Symposium), followed by OHV Annual General Meeting 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Format: Hybrid

Venue: Museo Italiano (COASIT), 199 Faraday St, Carlton VIC 3053

Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/ohv-symposium-and-agm (bookings close 17 Nov for catering purposes)

The task of distilling and presenting complex oral histories to broad public audiences presents exciting opportunities as well as dilemmas to navigate. This symposium brings together a dynamic panel of speakers to share their experiences in presenting complex histories in radio podcasts and programs, digital web-based histories, exhibitions, experiential presentations and public installations.

Chaired by award-winning historian and radio producer Dr Geraldine Fela, the symposium will explore the elements of historical storytelling that both challenge and delight us when we share complex narratives with broad audiences.

Session one will feature a panel discussion involving Sophie Couchman (Professional Historian, Curator and President of the Professional Historians Association (Vic and Tas)), Alice Garner (historian, actor, musician, and audio maker), Alexandra Pierce (former history teacher, podcaster and editor), Kerrie Poliness (President, Living Museum of the West) and Michelle Rayner (editor of the ABC Radio National History Unit and award-winning producer of history documentaries).

In session two we will hear from OHV members delivering lightning presentations to share their experiences navigating the task of presenting oral histories to public audiences, with an opportunity for broad discussion and input from our panellists. The final session will be run in breakout spaces (in-person and online) allowing participants to workshop questions and ideas in smaller groups. If you would like to present in the Members’ Voices session, please scroll down to find out how to put in a proposal.

Annual General Meeting
The symposium will be followed by the Oral History Victoria 2025 AGM (also hybrid) and we encourage all members present to stay and participate or to join us online if you can’t be there in person.

2025 Symposium panellists (clockwise from top left): Geraldine Fela, Alexandra Pierce, Kerrie Poliness, Michelle Rayner, Alice Garner, Sophie Couchman

Symposium lightning presentations – seeking proposals for Members’ Voices session

OHV members are invited to submit an expression of interest to present in person at the Members’ Voices session of our 2025 Symposium on 21 November.

The session is a fantastic opportunity to hear from members about their wonderful oral history work, and to learn from each other’s experiences.

We’re seeking proposals that fit with our symposium theme: Sharing complex oral histories with broad audiences: navigating the opportunities and challenges.

We welcome lightning presentations (about 10 minutes) sharing how you have navigated an opportunity or challenge in presenting oral history to a public audience.

To submit an expression of interest:

• Tell us in 150-words about what you’d like to present. Please ensure your presentation will include discussion of a dilemma or opportunity in sharing oral history with a public audience. Some examples might include issues of consent and collaboration, challenges in maintaining historical integrity while presenting ‘digestible’ content and some the complexities of ethical practice.
• Include your contact details (email and phone number)
• Email your expression of interest to contact.oralhistoryvictoria@gmail.com by Friday 31 October.

We will notify you by 7 November to confirm if your expression of interest has been accepted.

Please note, presenters will need to register to attend the event in person.

We hope to see you on Friday the 21st November for this special Symposium.