IT’S the Canberra & District Historical Society’s 60th anniversary this year and members are hoping for an especially good roll-up to the symposium on August 10 which, president Marilyn Truscott president assures us, will look at the more recent past, and not just 100 years ago.

As well, on the following day, August 11, there are plans for a morning excursion to lesser known Canberra historic sites.

Although the registration deadline is formally July 31, Truscott told “CityNews”, they’re accepting later expressions of interest to ensure a crowd.

The theme of the symposium, will be “Canberra: Hidden Histories And ‘Back Stories’” and the full program is below.

Canberra & District Historical Society Symposium  August 10

Sir Roland Wilson Building), ANU, McCoy Circuit Acton

9-9.10          Welcome to Country: Agnes Shea Ngunnawal Elders Council

9.10-9.25         Keynote Speaker: Paul Daley (journalist, writer, author Canberra in 2012)

9.25-9.40         Ruth Kerr president Federation of Historical Societies

9.40-10.30       Growing Independence

10.30-11     Morning Tea

11-12.30     Growing Diversity

12.30-1.45       Lunch

1.45-3.15         Researching Local History

Panel followed by questions / discussion

Panel: Alan Foskett, Graeme Barrow, Susan Mary Withycombe

3.15-3.45         Afternoon Tea

3.45-5.15         Canberra Stories: ‘My Place’

5.15-5.30         Wrap-up

5.30-6.30         Drinks

Inquiries to 6281 2929 11-5, Tuesday and Wednesday and 10- 12 Saturday or to admin@canberrahistory.org.au

Morning  excursion, $20. Details at canberrahistory.org.au/events