Tag Archives: Oral History

Update: Australian Generations Oral History Project

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In December last year (2013) I was interviewed as part of the Australia wide ‘Australian Generations Oral History Project‘.  I found the process of being interviewed, rather than being the interviewer a challenging experience.  I enjoyed it, but having to quickly decide what to talk about – or leave out – kept me very aware that this interview would be archived for ‘eternity’ and anyone who wished could access it.  It was a warts interview, but not warts and all, some stories I didn’t tell.  We all have secrets and embarrassing moments in our lives.  I have related some of those incidents, but without completely embarrassing myself.  I talked about some of the drama I experienced in my various professional roles, being assaulted (physically) by a teacher at high school and as a teenager in the 60s.

David Sweet at Australian Generations Conference Monash University, October 31, 2014

Over two days in October, Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University hosted a series of presentations by the project research team members including papers on project findings and about the team’s oral history methodology.  Professor Michael Frisch, the internationally renowned oral and public historian, delivered the Keynote Address at the public launch of the conference on Thursday 30 October 2014 at the State Library of Victoria.  Attending these sessions was enjoyable, an excellent learning experience and meeting colleagues (old and new) in the family and oral history research genre.

Check out the Australian Generations Report site.

Death can be a release

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On Saturday October 4, 2014 my sister Judith died.  She was 79, but her life was lost five years ago with the onset of dementia.  Earlier this week, at her funeral, I had to give the hardest speech of my life, Judith’s eulogy.  I have added it to the stories in this Blog as part of our family’s oral history.  You may enjoy my memories of Judith.

Looking for Yip Yau

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Let’s see how good the internet actually is for research.

I’m trying to trace the life of Yip Yau, born in 1896, (locality unknown) died in central Australia (possible near Alice springs or further north) in July 1943 (aged 47 years).

I have a photograph of my father at his grave taken in the latter half of 1943. Yip Yau was of Chinese ancestory. The English writing on his grave stone says: “In memory of good friend, Yip Yau. died July (28th?) 1943, aged 47”.

Chinese grave near Alice Springs, taken c 1943. Standing is Sgt Harold Sweet, father of David Sweet

Chinese grave near Alice Springs, taken c 1943. Standing is Sgt Harold Sweet, father of David Sweet

The grave as you can see from the accompanying photograph is/was quite substantial indicating that either his family had the finances and/or that he was respected in the community.

Any glimmers of hope would be appreciated.

Sharing the good earth

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I attended a humourous and interesting discussion on the 175 year history of the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia (Inc).  To read more of my enjoyable two hours, follow this link.

The Finding Nell Thomson Project

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In my developing interest in oral history and photography I came across this example of a brief, but an engaging use of what can be done using multimedia and the internet.  Quoting from the web site: ‘finding Nell Thomson is about war’s lingering impact, and about family secrets and healing histories.’ Check it out for an interesting and provocative story.

Thesis Milestone — now what next?

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Now I’m getting to the scary part of my thesis — the end.  I have produced the first completed draft of the research and early next week it will go to my supervisors for their critique.  Although others have read and commented on passages in the past, this is the first full review of my research, writing and arguments/theory.  There is still a long way to go and I expect it will be October or November before it is ready for submission to be marked.

That raises the next challenge, to find two suitable markers — one  Australian and another international academic.  I have some input to the list of possible markers, but no control or influence on the final selection.  Not only do these two people have to be experts in my field of research, but have the time (and desire) to mark my work.

While I have my own pile of undergraduate marking to wade through, I’m giving some thought to my next project.  The first priority will be to write, practice and polish my presentation for the conference at Wolfson College at Oxford University in July.  I’m starting to get excited over that.

As for my next ‘big’ project, I’m considering using my thesis research as a template to produce a comprehensive oral history and online photo-story of my 84 year-old mother-in-law.  Some mind-mapping on a similar project around my parents (both deceased) is possible, but a challenge.  I have a short voice recording of my mother when she was 90 (1994) so I will be looking to interview four to six of their grandchildren and calling on their memories.  So more on these projects in the coming weeks and months.

Welcome to a Baby Boomer’s Legacy

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This site was created some years ago as part of a teaching exercise.  My students went on to publish great Blogs.  I spent my time reading their work and did nothing myself.  Over the coming weeks and months I hope to populate this site with comments on my interests, research, teaching and travel.  May be the odd comment on current events might surface as well.  However, it will not be a site for political ideology , or rants on other’s beliefs.