School of Humanities and Social Science
HISTORY SEMINAR SERIES – 2007
Rediscovering the Tasman World: an alternative history of sibling rivalry
Professor Peter Hempenstall
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Friday, 19th October
10am to 11am
(with morning tea/coffee afterwards)
Cultural Collections Reading Room (near the Information Common)
Level 2, Auchmuty Library
Callaghan Campus
Abstract
‘My paper will survey some of the historiography on connections between New Zealand and Australia, and argue for the replacement of old terms like ‘Australasia’ with a sense of a working Tasman community. I will survey briefly three areas where trans-Tasman connections have been important and continual, though at the same time accompanied by tensions: the fields of regional security/defence, economic and financial integration, and social and cultural behaviour. My conclusion will explore some of the implications of a Tasman community – the move to a single economic market and the question of whether we share an antipodean sensibility.’
Peter Hempenstall is Professor in the School of History, University of Canterbury. His recent publications include (with Paula Tanaka Mochida), The Lost Man: Wilhelm Solf in German History, 2005 and (with Brij Lal), Pacific Lives, Pacific Places, Canberra, 2001. As well investigating the various facets of the Transman relationship Peter is an accomplished biographer, as his highly regarded book The Meddlesome Priest: A Life of Ernest Burgmann attests. This is very much a homecoming for Peter as he was a long time and valued member of the Newcastle History Department before his Professorial appointment to Canterbury.
Staff, students and members of the public are welcome
Enquiries to:
Erik Eklund Erik.Eklund@newcastle.edu.au Ph 49215219 or
Victoria Haskins Victoria.Haskins@newcastle.edu.au Ph 49215217
