Researching the North! – Winning AHA Research Fellows in the JCU Library Special Collections

 

A selection of items from Sir Russell Drysdale’s Gift of Rare Books to JCU Library Special Collections. Photograph by Michael Marzik.

This year the Australian Historical Association (AHA) conference is being hosted jointly by Central Queensland University (CQU) and James Cook University (JCU) and will be proudly held at the JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus. 

To mark this occasion, the AHA 2025 conference committee sponsored two Northern Australia Fellowships which have enabled the winners (Adele Zubrzycka and Julia Russoniello) to conduct research using the Special Collections of JCU Library.

AHA 2025 Northern Australia Fellowship winner – Adele Zubrzycka working in the Helen Mays Reading Room in the Special Collections area of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library. © JCU

It was with great pleasure we served the delightful Adele Zubrzycka – historical archaeologist and PhD candidate at the University of Queensland.  Adele extended her PhD research into South Sea Islander history by using a range of Library Archives (including Pioneer Sugar Mill, Henry Braby, Charles Young, Burns Philp, and the Ayr Tramway).  Adele later commented “I had a wonderful time in the archives last week - thank you for making it such a seamless and welcoming experience!”.

Additionally, we were glad to assist the marvellous Julia Russoniello - Violinist, music researcher and Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the University of Sydney.

AHA 2025 Northern Australia Fellowship winner – Julia Russoniello working in the Helen Mays Reading Room in the Special Collections area of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library. © JCU

Julia explored festival programming and performing cultures in Northern Australia by taking a deep dive into the fifth Festival of Pacific Arts Archive (Townsville 1988) and the Townsville Pacific Festival Archive (1970 to 1991). Julia later commented “Thanks Bronwyn for all your help and the help of your team. I had a wonderful experience!”.

During the AHA 2025 conference both Fellows will present a paper based on their research.  Go here to learn more about the conference and follow the links to register your attendance. Early bird registrations are available until 21 March, 2025.

Explore the Archival holdings of JCU Library Special Collections through this complete list.  To learn more about the range of materials held by JCU Library Special Collections see the 50 Treasures online.

For more information email us at specialcollections@jcu.edu.au

Bronwyn McBurnie, Manager of JCU Library Special Collections.