Orange Regional Museum will host its second annual History Futures workshop on Wednesday 18 March to showcase career pathways in history for high school students.
The program is designed for students from years 9 to 12 who are interested in history but unsure how the subject can contribute to a career, by highlighting how the skills learnt studying history are useful in many areas.
HISTORY FUTURES: Archaeologist Drew Kennedy and Orange Regional Museum Public Education and Engagement Officer Sally MacLennan.
This year, the one-day workshop will feature three new guest speakers who have studied and used history in their lives:
- Kelly Rimmer - best-selling historical fiction author
- Drew Kennedy - Wiradjuri woman and archaeologist working in Aboriginal cultural heritage repatriation at Heritage NSW
- Dr Melanie Pitkin – Egyptologist and Senior Curator of the Nicholson Collection of antiquities and archaeology at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.
Orange City Council's Recreation and Culture Committee Chair, Cr Tammy Greenhalgh says a passion for history can lead to exciting and meaningful careers.
"This workshop will give young people the chance to hear directly from professionals who use historical knowledge every day in unique and surprising ways," Cr Greenhalgh said.
"Whether it's archaeology, museum work, writing or cultural heritage, history offers skills that are valuable across so many fields."
"This inspiring group of speakers and hands‑on sessions that will spark curiosity and broaden students' understanding of where history can take them. It's a fantastic opportunity for our local students."
The day will begin with a forum at Orange Civic Theatre where the guest speakers will share their career pathways and experiences where their historical studies have been beneficial.
The panel will then discuss the value of history knowledge and opportunities in regional Australia and take questions from students.
The second part of the day will involve a rotating set of four 30-minute workshops and tours including:
- Objects in Focus with the Museum's Collections Manager Sophie Ryan, where students will learn about handling history objects and have a go at recording information about a new object
- Chau Chak Wing Museum's 'Pop-up Museum' where students will come face to face with a real Ancient Egyptian stela and try their hand at painting like an Egyptian.
- A hands-on archaeology workshop with Drew Kennedy
- Who Makes an exhibition? An interactive session with the Museum's Educator Sally MacLennan where we'll will lift the curtain on just how many jobs go into putting together one exhibition.
Places are limited. Students interested in attending should talk to their history teacher or careers advisor. Teachers are encouraged to book in a class or a group of interested students.
