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Exploring Melbourne and Launceston Public History

Author: Brandon Willmette, Macquarie University, IFPH Explorers Intern.

Since 2022, the IFPH Explorers has partnered with Macquarie University to offer an internship program for students interested in public history. During the internship, students engage in a variety of activities, including writing blog posts for Bridging, reviewing IFPH Explorers events, or developing their own public history-related topics. The program aims to offer students an alternative to traditional academic writing by encouraging more accessible, engaging, and public-facing narratives.

Many interns go through several drafts before discovering how to effectively communicate with broader audiences. The IFPH Explorers particularly values student-led initiatives—when interns choose to write about topics they are personally passionate about, the results are often outstanding. This freedom to connect personal interests with public history fosters creativity, critical thinking, and deeper engagement with the field. - Jimena Perry

In mid March, I embarked on a trip to Melbourne and Launceston, two cities rich in history and cultural significance. Both destinations offered unique insights into Australia’s past, and my journey allowed me to explore a mix of heritage sites, natural beauty, and modern landmarks.

Phillip Island

I began my exploration with a visit to Phillip Island, located just south of Melbourne, famous for the Penguin Parade. The experience was nothing short of magical. Watching the little penguins waddle from the sea to their burrows at sunset is an unforgettable spectacle that connects visitors to Australia’s unique wildlife. While touring the Island we learnt about its history with the development of the Summerland Peninsula housing estate in the 1960s and 1970s. As roads, homes, and holiday accommodations were built directly on penguin burrows, the population of Little Penguins began to decline dramatically, impacted by predators, vehicle traffic, and human interference.

Recognising the need for conservation, the Victorian Government made a landmark decision in 1985 to remove the Summerland housing estate and restore the land for wildlife protection. Over two decades, houses were demolished, roads removed, and the land rehabilitated, allowing penguin numbers to rise once more. This transformation is a testament to Joan Kirner, Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands at the time, Eric Woehler, an ecologist and conservation scientist, and the Phillip Island Historical Society who guided environmental restoration and development decisions. Phillip Island’s restoration project became one of the world’s most successful examples of balancing urban development with wildlife protection, showcasing the essential role of history in guiding modern conservation efforts.

The conservation efforts at Phillip Island are important in preserving the region’s natural history for future generations. The experience of watching around 1,000 penguins return to their burrows that evening was a powerful reminder of how deeply public history and conservation intersect, shaping our shared heritage.

Melbourne

Back in the city, I took time to appreciate Melbourne’s unique history. For those interested in Australian history, Melbourne Museum is an essential stop. The museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from the Indigenous history of the region to the European settlement and beyond. The museum’s Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre provides an in-depth look at the history, culture, and traditions of Australia’s First Peoples, giving visitors a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s past and its ongoing journey towards reconciliation. One of the most powerful sections for me was the First Peoples Exhibition, which includes oral histories, artefacts, and interactive displays that highlight the enduring connection between Indigenous Australians and the land. This was the first of its kind I have seen in museums. It is good to know that indigenous voices were heard as the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council, Koorie Heritage Trust where heavily consulted alongside Indigenous curators, like Genevieve Grieves.

 

When arriving in Melbourne the first day, few buildings in Melbourne are as recognisable as Flinders Street Station. Built in 1854, it is Australia’s oldest railway station and a symbol of Melbourne’s gold rush boom. During the mid-19th century, the discovery of gold in Victoria led to a population explosion, transforming Melbourne into one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Flinders Street Station became the gateway to the city, where thousands of hopeful prospectors arrived daily. Today, the station remains a key transport hub, but its Edwardian architecture and iconic clock tower preserve a sense of Melbourne’s past. The meeting point ‘under the clocks’ is still a cultural tradition, showing how this historic site continues to play a role in daily life.

One thing that stood out to me compared to Sydney were the Melbourne Trams. They are an iconic part of the city’s identity, with the largest operational tram network in the world. Introduced in the 1880s, trams quickly became a key mode of transport, connecting suburbs to the city centre. The historic W-Class trams, still running today on the City Circle route, are a moving reminder of Melbourne’s past. It was a great experience to be able to ride it and a different way to view the city as it is slower and took me through the historical parts of the city.  Today, they remain central to Melbourne’s urban landscape blending everyday functionality with living heritage.

No visit to Melbourne is complete without acknowledging the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a site that holds deep historical and cultural significance.  Established in 1853, the MCG has witnessed some of Australia’s greatest sporting moments, from Ashes cricket to AFL Grand Finals and even the 1956 Olympic Games. It also holds community programming as it has the MCG Tour and Australian Sports Museum and plays a pivotal role in major days like ANZAC Day.

Launceston

After exploring Melbourne, I flew to Launceston, a smaller but equally captivating city located in Tasmania. Launceston is a city where nature and history coexist harmoniously, offering visitors a chance to step back in time while enjoying scenic views and lush landscapes.

One of the highlights of Launceston was Cataract Gorge, a natural wonder just minutes from the city center. The gorge is a beautiful mix of walking trails, suspension bridges, and stunning views of the surrounding forest. Also, the Tamar River is another significant natural feature of Launceston, which I explored by taking a cruise. The river is a vital part of the region’s history, playing an essential role in the transportation of goods during the 19th century. The cruise provided a chance to learn more about the area’s early European settlement and the impact of agriculture on the region’s development. The river’s calm waters and scenic surroundings also offered a perfect setting to reflect on Tasmania’s colonial past

Another notable stop was The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, where I spent several hours exploring exhibits that covered the history of Launceston, its industries, and its people. The museum’s Cultural Heritage Gallery offers a fascinating look at the Indigenous cultures of Tasmania, while its colonial-era exhibits provide insight into the social and economic changes that took place as European settlement expanded throughout the state.

Reflections

Overall, the trip demonstrated that public history is about more than just the past, it is about how we, as a society, engage with and interpret that past in the present. Public history brings the past to life by integrating it into the daily lives of people, whether through conservation efforts, museum exhibitions, or community gatherings. The ability to visit places like the Penguin Parade, Flinders Street Station, and Cataract Gorge was not just about observing history. It was about experiencing the ways in which different narratives–ecological, cultural, industrial–have been preserved, shared, and celebrated. This experience has deepened my understanding of the value of public history, both as a tool for education and as a way to foster a deeper connection to the places we inhabit and the histories they carry.

Public history, in all its forms, allows us to reflect on our past while making decisions that shape our future, reminding us of our collective responsibility to preserve and honor the stories of those who came before us.

Brandon Willmette is a student at Macquarie and was an IFPH Explorers Intern.

OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Bridging Editor (August 1, 2025). Exploring Melbourne and Launceston Public History. IFPH-FIHP. Retrieved January 15, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/14ges


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