Why didn't anyone tell me Australian history was ACTUALLY interesting!? Sita Sargeant, Santilla Chingaipe, Jacinta Mackay, Harini Rangarajan

Think of a history textbook you had at school. Could you relate to the characters inside its pages? These women are proving Australian history contains multitudes. You just have to go looking for the version of Australia that never made it into the textbooks.Meet four women reshaping how and whose history is told. Hidden histories with a Wiradjuri woman and nurse turned oral historian, a South Indian finance student turned storyteller, a Zambian born film-maker and author, and the founder of She Shapes History. This event was hosted at the National Library of Australia in partnership with She Shapes History.SpeakersSita SargeantSocial entrepreneur, author, founder and CEO of She Shapes History2026 ACT Young Australian of the YearSantilla ChingaipeZambian-born filmmaker, historian and author of Black Convicts - how slavery shaped AustraliaHost of the SBS documentary Our African RootsHost of monthly literary and listening events in Melbourne. Find more information at firstchapterpresentsJacinta MackayWiradjuri woman, nurse, researcher and oral historian completing her PhDLecturer, University of Sydney School of Nursing2024 National Library ScholarHarini RangarajanChennai-born, Canberra-raised storyteller, archivist and musicianACT Greens candidateFurther information:Relevant reading notes and tips for this event if you're interested to discover more.