SLWA on ABC Radio

Tune in to ABC Radio Perth (720) from 2pm on Fridays for History Repeated.

Hear Battye Historian, Dr. Kate Gregory and Senior Archivist at the State Records Office of WA, Damien Hassan reveal fascinating stories from WA’s past with Christine Layton on the WA Afternoons program.

The interviews are regularly uploaded to this page, so don’t forget to check in now and then. You can also listen to the back catalogue of ABC interviews on our Soundcloud page, plus podcasts, lectures and public talk recordings. 

Barrack Street new bridge  Felix Whitwell Del 1907
1, 2, and 3
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Heritage Librarian Peter Edwards discusses on ABC Radio Perth the history of the iconic Barrack-Beaufort Street bridge from its first iteration built in 1880 through to its third iteration built between 1906 – 1908.
Relics from the wreck of the Zeewyck ie Zeewijk June 9 1727
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Listen to the incredible story of sunken treasure that has made its way through the years to find a home in the State Library’s rare collections. Coins from Dutch shipwrecks, what does seagull taste like and a Gelignite Buccaneer.
Acquisition of Bon Scott letters pictures and ephemera
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Adam Trainer joins Sam Longley on ABC Radio to discuss a recent acquisition of rock legend Bon Scott's letters to the Library collection.
137033PDAerial ploughed land and dam near Northam c1988
Aerial landscape photography
SLWA on ABC Radio
Richard Woldendorp AM (1927-2023) was a renowned Australian photographer known for his shots of Australian landscapes that have a painterly quality to them.
Japanese man with an old diving suit propped up on a chair
A Cossack pearling story
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate shares the incredible story of Jiro Muramats, his importing merchant business and his pearling ventures and role within the Cossack community
Photo from scrapbook of Montebello nuclear explosion in 1952 from 10 miles away
1952 - 1956
SLWA on ABC Radio
The British conducted three nuclear tests on the Montebello Islands between 1952 and 1956. The final test was six times bigger than the Hiroshima bomb. 
Its OK to be Gay - Connections nightclub poster
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate discusses the State Library’s collections relating to the LGBTQIA+ community in WA as part of PrideFEST celebrations and the acquisition of 270 Connections Nightclub posters.
John Boyle OReilly book of poems 1868
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
This week Dr Kate discusses the1868 book of poetry by John Boyle O’Reilly, ahead of the Wild Goose Lecture on Sunday 16 October 2022 at the WA Maritime Museum.
Senior Conservator Cristina Albillos
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Senior Conservator Cristina Allbillos joins Dr Kate on ABC radio to explore the incredible story of the survivors from the Blenden Hall shipwreck who were marooned for months on Inaccessible Island in 1821.
Harry Butler with a goanna Barrow Island 1979
Conservationist and naturalist
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate explores the life of Harry Butler (1930-2015). He was an Australian naturalist, environmental consultant and conservationist, best known for the ABC TV series "In the Wild" from 1976-81.
Capt and Mrs J S Roe and family
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Join Dr Kate with Professor Jane Lydon, the Wesfarmers Chair in Australian History at UWA, discussing some of the oldest and most precious treasures held within the State Library collections – daguerreotypes, an early form of photography.
Portrait of Randolph Stow
SLWA on ABC Radio
Join Dr Kate as she explores the life and cultural legacy of WA writer Randolph Stow.
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