General News
12 June, 2026
History Talks to return for festival
WITH the Robert Burns Celtic Festival just weeks away, the festival committee has announced the return of the annual history talks.
Hosted by the Camperdown and District Historical Society at the Killara Centre, the history talks feature a variety of speakers focusing on the local area, the township’s Celtic connections and a broader look at Australian history.
Historical Society president Lyle Tune said this year’s talks will see “an outstanding line-up” of presenters and a variety of topics.
“We’re delighted to welcome another exceptional group of speakers to Camperdown as part of the Robert Burns Celtic Festival,” he said.
“The history talks are a chance to hear fascinating stories and new insights for anyone with an interest in history, heritage and culture.
“Whether you drop in for a single presentation or spend the day with us, we invite you to join us for what promises to be an engaging and rewarding experience.”
The talks are included with a Robert Burns Celtic Festival weekend ticket or available separately – festival attendees can choose to attend a single talk for $15 or attend all of them for $40.
Mr Tune said the first speaker would be Dr Chris Gouramanis, who will speak on past climate and environmental change from iconic crater lakes in western Victoria from 10.30-11.30am.
“Hear how the sediments and fossils preserved beneath lakes such as Keilambete, Gnotuk and Bullen Merri hold clues to thousands of years of climate history,” he said.
“Dr Chris Gouramanis will share what these remarkable natural archives reveal about environmental and climate change in south-eastern Australia.
“Dr Chris Gouramanis is a research fellow at the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University.
“His research examines past environmental and climate change records preserved in lake sediments across Australia and south east Asia, helping to reveal how landscapes and climates have changed over time.”
Mr Tune said the second talk, delivered by Dr Iain Buckland from 11.30am-12.30pm, focused on Scottish country dance.
“From castles and country houses to community halls, Scottish country dance has captivated generations of dancers,” he said.
“Dr Iain Buckland will explore its origins and evolution, tracing its journey from aristocratic roots in 18th-century Scotland to its enduring popularity today as a social, cultural and fitness activity enjoyed around the world.
“A popular and regular contributor to the Burns History Talks, Dr Iain Buckland combines a background in engineering with a passion for food, culture and history.
“After completing a Master of Arts in Gastronomy and a PhD in food history at the University of Adelaide, he has developed a particular interest in the culinary and cultural traditions of Scotland.”
A break will be held in between the morning and afternoon sessions, returning from 1.30-2.30pm with Dr Vicki Couzens presenting ‘Mother Tongue – a living legacy: revitalisation of Gunditjmara Aboriginal language’.
“Learn how Mother Tongue – a Living Legacy, a Gunditjmara language revitalisation initiative is helping restore language through immersive learning and creative cultural practice,” Mr Tune said.
“Dr Vicki Couzens will explore how family and clan groups engage with language in everyday settings and on Country, building confidence, fluency and language use in ways that support traditional oral knowledge sharing and transfer.
“Yoolongteeyt Dr Vicki Couzens is a Keerray Woorroong Gunditjmara citizen who has worked in Aboriginal community affairs for more than 45 years.
“She is the senior knowledge custodian for the Possum Skin Cloak Story and language reclamation and revitalisation in her Keerray Woorroong mother tongue, and a research fellow at RMIT University, where her Australian Research Council-funded Mother Tongue project explores practical approaches to Gunditjmara language acquisition and revitalisation.”
Mr Tune said the final talk – Dr Daniel Curdie and the Exploration of Family History – would be delivered by Dr Bob Bowker from 2.30-3.30pm.
“Discover how family history can connect us with the wider story of Australia’s past,” he said.
“Drawing on his research of Dr Daniel Curdie, the first president of the Shire of Hampden (1863), Dr Bob Bowker will explore the life and times of this prominent early settler, whose experiences of migration, exploration, gold rushes, shipwrecks and pastoral settlement provide a fascinating window into the development of colonial Victoria.
“Raised at Kangaroobie, Princetown and educated at Timboon, Dr Bob Bowker is a former Australian diplomat, author and honorary professorial fellow at the Australian National University.
“During a distinguished 37-year career with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he served as Ambassador to Jordan, Egypt and Syria and held senior United Nations roles in Gaza and Jerusalem.
“As the great-great-grandson of Dr Daniel Curdie, Bob brings a unique personal perspective to the story of one of the western district’s most influential early settlers.”
Read More: Camperdown, local