The Bicentenary Seminar Series has now concluded.
Held throughout 2024 to mark the 200-year anniversary of the NSW Legislative Council, the Series brought together Council members past and present, along with other notable panellists, for fascinating conversations exploring the big moments in the Council’s development and its representation of diverse NSW communities.
PREVIOUS EVENTS IN OUR SEMINAR SERIES
GUDYARRA
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
An important seminar, co-partnered with the History Council of NSW, which brought together Elders of the Wiradyuri community and others to explore the bicentenary of the first use of martial law against Aboriginal people in New South Wales. Chaired by the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, the panel featured members of the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation (WTOCWAC) Dinawan Dyirribang Uncle Bill Allen Jr., Aunty Leanna Carr and Yanhadarrambal Uncle Jade Flynn. It also featured Dr Stephen Gapps, David Suttor, and the Hon Jeremy Buckingam MLC. A recording and transcript will be available soon.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS: CULTURE & IDENTITY
FRIDAY 9 AUGUST
The fascinating stories that transformed NSW Parliament’s Upper House to reflect the changing cultural diversity of the NSW community. Chaired by the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, the panel featured the Hon Daniel Mookey MLC, the Hon Natalie Ward MLC, the Hon Bob Nanva MLC, the Hon John Ajaka and the Hon Dr Helen Sham-Ho. A recording and transcript will be available soon.
PRIDE & PRECEDENT: LAW, REPRESENTATION, REFORM
FRIDAY 19 JULY
Discover the powerful stories and inspiring figures behind four decades of ground-breaking legal and social reform in the NSW Supreme Court and the Legislative Council – NSW's Upper House – transforming the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Chaired by the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, the panel featured Justice Richard Weinstein SC, the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC, and Trevor Khan. A recording and transcript will be available soon.
THEN & NOW: PEOPLE, POWER & REPRESENTATION
THURSDAY 18 APRIL
The first seminar in our Bicentenary Seminar Series was an evening of lively conversation and debate unpacking ground-breaking moments in the NSW Legislative Council’s 200-year history. Chaired by the President of the NSW Legislative Council, the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, the panel featured Dr Meredith Burgmann, Dr Peter Phelps, the Hon Robert Borsak MLC, Ms Abigail Boyd MLC, the Hon Courtney Houssos MLC, and the Hon Chris Rath MLC.
The recording and transcript of the seminar are available to view.
