Historian in Residence

The Historians in Residence selected for 2024-2025 are Dr Martina Muller and Dr Kate Kirby.

Community invitation
You are invited to help fill in the missing gaps in Sunshine Coast’s history. Share your knowledge and photos on the historians’ chosen topic at any time. To participate, contact Cultural Heritage Services by emailing [email protected] or phone 5420 8600. Below is a brief introduction to the historians and their topic.

Dr Martina Muller

Topic: Iconic pubs that shaped the Sunshine Coast.

Dr Martina Muller is a professional historian specialising in research and writing for heritage. She has substantial experience in historical research and content development for various formats, including heritage reports, inventory sheets, online heritage databases, apps, websites, and other interpretive media. Martina is an accredited member (MPHA) of the Professional Historians Association (PHA) NSW & ACT and served two terms on its executive committee. She is also a member of Australia ICOMOS and Interpretation Australia, the peak bodies of heritage and interpretation.

Project outline – three stories

Dr Muller’s first story will focus on those who pioneered the region’s hotel trade, exploring what drove these early publicans, what background they had, and how successful they were with their ventures. She will discuss the known establishments as well as shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked role of female publicans and members of publicans’ families. The second story will investigate why pubs were established in the district and how the roles of these hotels gradually changed over time. Dr Muller’s research will explore how hotels were built in strategic locations to cater for specific purposes and how they adapted to the changing environment, shedding light on the diverse range of customers and patrons who frequented them. The third story examines pubs rising from the ashes and adapting to change; exploring the challenges faced by hotel keepers and how they have adapted to adversity and ever-changing circumstances. Research will include examining the original architecture and design of these historic hotels, the architects behind the buildings, and the reasons why these hotels present themselves as they are today.

Dr Kate Kirby

Topic: Bounce, sprint, and spirit: three stories of Sunshine Coast sport history.

Dr Kate Kirby is a historian researching sport history and heritage, often focusing on sporting narrative and memory in regional and rural areas. Kate’s recently completed PhD utilised prosopography to explore the history of high-performance sport in regional Queensland. Kate currently works as a casual academic teaching business at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and history at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). A qualified librarian, Kate was previously a Board Director of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and is an advocate of the role libraries and museums play in supporting community connections.

Project outline – three stories

Dr Kirby’s first story ‘Bounce' explores how Sunshine Coast locals have historically come together in teams for sporting glory across local fields and courts. She will explore the emergence of team ball sports on the Sunshine Coast with the focus on six team ball sports, including: Australian Rules football, basketball, netball, rugby league, rugby union, and soccer. Understanding team sports contributes to understanding of the historical character of the region, particularly in relation to working together with our neighbours for a win. The second story ‘Sprint’ will explore Sunshine Coast athletics in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, highlighting: athletes, clubs, race formats, and results. The third story ‘Spirit’ focuses on the history of sport for athletes with disability living on the Sunshine Coast.  'Spirit in motion' is the motto of the Paralympic Games, and this story brings together primary sources to begin to document a history of sport for athletes with disability living on the Sunshine Coast. Dr Kirby will highlight, amongst other elements, the sporting achievements of Vic Renalson, local inclusion initiatives to support children with disability to compete in sport, the development of the Spartans Paralympic swimming squad, and local athlete participation in key Games and competitions.

Background

The Historian in Residence Program is now in its fourth year.

Two contract positions are offered each financial year for qualified and experienced historians or other relevant professionals.

This flexible program is linked to the following sites where historians can access council’s collections:

1. Heritage Library, Nambour
2. Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct or Landsborough Museum

The Program enables historians to immerse themselves in a project that will reveal, document, and showcase Sunshine Coast’s heritage.

To find out more about the program, download the guidelines.

For enquiries contact [email protected]
or phone 5420 8600.

This program is supported by the Arts and Heritage Levy.