The History Teachers' Association of NSW - The History Teachers' Association of NSW

2006 JANUARY

In his Australia Day Address, Prime Minister John Howard declared:

"I believe the time has also come for root and branch renewal of the teaching of Australian history in our schools, both in terms of the numbers learning and the way it is taught. For many years, it’s been the case that fewer than one-in-four senior secondary students in Australia take a history subject. And only a fraction of this study relates to Australian history.

Read more...

2006 JULY 18

Australian History Summit Announced by Julie Bishop, Minister for Education, Science & Training

" to research ways of strengthening the place and maintaining the integrity of Australian history in the school curriculum." Julie Bishop's full announcement click here

A group of 23 were invited to participate, including leading Australian historians, educational leaders and public figures who have promoted the study of history. Biographies of those attending the Australian History Summit click here

2006 AUGUST 17

The Australian History Summit was convened

Transcript from the Australian History Summit click here

Papers were delivered by Tony Taylor and Gregory Melleuish

 Julia Bishop's Media Release and Communiqué

Julie Bishop's speech from the History Summit Dinner (16 Aug 2006) click here

2006 OCTOBER 6

Annual Conference of History Teachers' Association of Australia (HTAA)

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop presents the opening address of the HTAA Annual at Fremantle. Full speech click here

HTAA President's response to the Minister's speech click here

State HTA Presidents' response to Minister's speech click here

2006

Some comments, views and responses:

August 14 2006 - Counterpoint on ABC Radio National - Interview with Julie Bishop, Nick Ewbank (HTAA President) and Gregory Melleiush (University of Wollongong). Click here to read transcript

August 15 2006 - Critical Mark for History - The Age

August 15 2006 - Heed Teachers not Idealogues - Stuart McIntyre, The Age

August 17 2006 - Howard's Address to the History Summit - The Australian

August 17 2006 - Howard Urges History Revamp - ABC Online

August 17 2006 - Summit Agrees to National Approach to History - ABC Online

August 19 2006 - Our History in Disrepair - Paul Kelly, The Australian

August 21 2006 - Questions Will Alter the Course of History - John Hirst, SMH

August 23 2006 - Milestones on the Road to History - Tony Taylor, The Australian

September 2006 - Australian History - Suggestion for a Flexible National Approach, Paul Kiem, September Teaching History Journal

October 2006 - Response to Federal Minister's Address at the HTAA Conference, Paul Kiem