Calling all history buffs: Tamworth ADFAS' Dr Stephen Cunneen to headline 2021 program

The event, which will be held on Friday, April 9 at the Tamworth Town Hall Passchendaele Room at 6pm will be headlined by ADFAS' very own Dr Stephen Cunneen.

He is set to make a presentation about NSW's first governor Arthur Phillip and the effect he had on arts in the early years of European settlement.

It's part of early settler culture that is not often spoken about, but is one that deserves more attention according to Dr Cunneen.

He will discuss how Mr Phillip worked with indigenous people and embraced their creativity as he tried to establish an interest in arts within the exiled penal community.

Possessing a doctorate in Australian colonial history, Dr Cunneen is a top-level expert who has extensive experience giving lectures.

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It is an honour to have someone as well-esteemed as him giving a speech according to ADFAS committee member Meg Larkin.

"We're very excited to be having him talk, he's one of ours, he's a local and he is an experienced lecturer with a PhD," she said.

Having been running events online and only one capped capacity in-person lecture in more than 12 months, ADFAS is thrilled to welcome what they hope will be a full crowd.

Dr Cunneen believes the lecture will garner significant interest and stated Tamworth residents are typically among the most inquisitive when it comes to history.

"I have found the lectures I gave at the university [of New England] were very well attended, 50-odd people would come along and hopefully we get more now with ADFAS," he said.

"It's mainly the older people I've got to say, not so much the younger people but the older people from about 50-years-old onwards really love this sort of thing."

The lecture is available to members, while guests can purchase tickets at the door.

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