12.9K
Downloads
92
Episodes
Welcome to Newcastle Family History Society Podcasts.
Welcome to Newcastle Family History Society Podcasts.
The Newcastle Family History Society, located on Awabakal land in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, exists to provide support and encouragement for those interested in family history.
What's Coming Up in September
On the 6th of September, we present the final episode of “Westy Women”, written and narrated by Benita Parker of the West Wallsend District Heritage Group. Benita introduces us to Elizabeth Birrell—a woman whose life was shaped by tragedy, resilience and service. Emigrating from Scotland to Australia with two young daughters she became a trusted nurse and midwife of Holmesville and West Wallsend for more than forty years.
On the 13th of September, Society member Lea Harris tells us of her three times great-grandfather, Peter Nettle—a young Englishman whose life changed forever when a death sentence was commuted to transportation to New South Wales giving him a second chance and beginning a family story that continues today.
Finally, on the 20th of September, in our Notable Novocastrians series, Mel Woodford tells us of James Henry Crummer, Police Magistrate in Newcastle in 1836 and an active member of the Newcastle community throughout the 1830s and 1840s. As a magistrate he was popular with the ordinary people due to his fairness but not so much with the powers that be!
(AI generated voices, images, music & text editing used in some podcasts.)
Episodes
Aug 23, 2026
Aug 16, 2026
Aug 16, 2026
27 min
In this episode of Notable Novocastrians, Associate Professor Nancy Cushing from the University of Newcastle, uncovers the life of one of Newcastle's most accomplished and fascinating women - Dora Birtles. A writer, journalist, adventurer and feminist whose remarkable life took her from her childhood in the Newcastle suburb of Wickham to Europe, Asia and the Australian outback.
Aug 9, 2026
Aug 9, 2026
17 min
In this episode of Felonious Females, Mel Woodford tells the story of Mary Stewart, her husband John, and their young daughter Rachael who in 1834, stood together before a Yorkshire court, convicted of theft and sentenced to transportation to New South Wales. Separated by the convict system and sent on different ships, their story became one of hardship, resilience, and unanswered questions.
Aug 2, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
31 min
In this episode of Westy Women, Benita Parker from the West Wallsend District Heritage Group takes on the persona of Violet Harriet Taylor, better known as Vi. Born in West Wallsend in 1906, Vi's life changed forever when she fell in love with returned WW1 soldier Joe Taylor. Together, they forged an extraordinary life on Mount Sugarloaf, turning rugged bushland into a home, cattle property, and popular tourist destination.
Jul 26, 2026
Jul 19, 2026
Jul 19, 2026
27 min
Dr Jude Conway brings to life the stories of two extraordinary Newcastle women, Alice Feguson and Hazel Evans, whose talents, generosity, and community spirit left a lasting mark on the city they loved.
Jul 12, 2026
Jul 12, 2026
26 min
Benita Parker of the West Wallsend District Heritage Group continues Ida Viola Bohle’s story in this compelling first-person series celebrating the women who helped shape West Wallsend. In Part 2, Ida reflects on a lifetime of family, community, music, resilience, and change in a town she called home for more than seventy years.
Jul 5, 2026
Jul 5, 2026
23 min
Join Benita Parker from the West Wallsend District Heritage Group as she presents another story of West Wallsend’s pioneering women through vivid first-person narration. In Part 1 of this podcast, we meet Ida Viola Bohle, who arrived in West Wallsend in 1926 as a young teacher and whose connection with the town would endure for more than seven decades.