About the event

Held the day before the National Nursing Forum, this engaging pre-conference event hosted by the History Faculty will bring together nurses, scholars, postgraduate students, and early-career researchers with an interest in the history of nursing. Taking place at the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre, the event will provide a valuable platform to share historical scholarship, foster collaboration, and explore the role of history in shaping the future of the nursing profession.

Designed to strengthen professional connections and support the advancement of nursing history in Australia, the event will commence with a welcome and introduction outlining the aims of the afternoon and framing the importance of historical insight within contemporary nursing.

The program will then feature a series of Faculty Showcase presentations, highlighting recent and emerging work from Faculty members across a range of historical topics and perspectives. These short presentations will provide opportunities for scholarly exchange, peer feedback, and discussion.

Attendees will also participate in an engaging panel discussion exploring the theme What Does History Mean to the Profession? Invited speakers will reflect on the role history plays in Australian nursing and consider how the profession can move beyond rhetoric to meaningfully embed history within nursing identity and practice. Audience participation will be encouraged through live questions and electronic submissions, supporting broad engagement and interactive discussion.

The event will conclude with a wrap-up session focused on future opportunities for collaboration and advocacy, including discussion around the potential development of an ACN position statement. This gathering aims to foster a connected professional community that recognises historical understanding as an important foundation for nursing leadership, identity, and practice.

Key Learning Objectives

• Explore the role and significance of nursing history in shaping contemporary professional identity and practice.
• Share and discuss emerging historical scholarship and research relevant to the Australian nursing profession.
• Strengthen professional networks and identify opportunities for ongoing collaboration and advocacy within the nursing history community. 

About the speakers

Speakers to be confirmed

Immediately following this event, attendees will have the opportunity to attend The Bullwinkel Project Documentary. Please note that registration for this pre-conference event does not include registration for the documentary screening. Participants wishing to attend the screening are encouraged to register separately via the link below.

Register for The Bullwinkel Project Documentary Here