Commissioned Histories
When we think ‘commissioned history’ we usually think of books – they remain a very popular and effective form of documenting a particular history, significant anniversary or milestone event. In the 21st century, individuals, governments, businesses and community organisations are now adopting new and exciting alternative methods of communicating their history. These can include multi-media presentations, podcasts, websites, dedicated exhibitions, oral history recordings and interpretive signage. Hindsight Consulting Historians often incorporates a number of different styles and presentations into commissioned histories.
Taking history to the people
During 2007-8 the State Library of Victoria’s Memory Victoria Project travelling Roadshow presented five items of local history to schools and libraries across Victoria. This Roadshow won the Arts Victoria, 2007 Arts Portfolio Leadership Award in the category of Leadership in Community. More than 1500 school children (years 4 and 5) and 300 adults heard the stories behind the five items of local history. Chosen from items of local history found in regional Victorian libraries, together these items told stories of Victoria’s settlement, natural disasters and Australian mateship. As Evening Lead presenter of the Memory Victoria Roadshow, Fay Woodhouse researched the history of the items which included a 1900 edition of Rolf Bolderwood’s novel Babes in the Bush; a selection of programs from the annual Carols by Candlelight concert; a photo album compiled during the filming in Frankston in 1959 of Nevil Shute’s On the Beach; a selection of the Mildura magazine, The Riverlander; and a series of photographs taken at Cockatoo after the Ash Wednesday Fires of February 1983.
Oral History
Oral history is a record of information gathered in oral form as the result of a planned interview. It is a means of finding out about the past by asking questions of people who have lived through a period, an event, or an experience of interest. Much of the history written or presented by Hindsight Consulting Historians includes oral history interviews. Most recently, while writing Altona Yacht Club: A History of Community Sailing and Medicare Mayhem and the Vocational Register, Hindsight recorded several oral history interviews which add atmosphere and a personal dimension to these histories. [http://home.vicnet.net.au/~oralhist/]
Books
History books that have been commissioned by organisations, individuals or institutions come in various forms and sizes – from a big, glossy coffee-table book to pamphlet, a small booklet or to a page on an organisation’s website. The form of a commissioned history can be tailored to match a given budget, too! Writing a history book is always a collaborative effort and is the result of engaging a historian to research and write to the specified needs of the commissioning body, an individual or organisation. The commissioning body is usually responsible for publishing and marketing their book for distribution.
Web based histories
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) commissioned an historical essay for their website to commemorate the College’s 50th anniversary in 2008. The 3,000 word essay, Valuing the General Practitioner in Australian Society examines the controversial 1970 National Health Act debate between the government, the AMA and the RACGP and its outcome and concludes by contemplating the value of General Practitioners in our society. [http://www.racgp.org.au/history/valuegp]. In 2009, the RACGP commissioned a second historical essay for their website. The essay, Medicare Mayhem and the Vocational Register, documents the transition from the RACGPs Family Medicine Program to the formal Vocational Registration of General Practitioners and payment through Medicare.
