Maitland & District Historical Society Inc

05/10/2026

Jennifer Buffier will be the speaker at Maitland Historical Society on Tuesday 6th October 2026, held at our rooms, 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5 30pm. All welcome.

Topic: 110 years since Les Darcy left for America – pugilism, World War One and Politics.

This presentation will give a brief history of Les Darcy growing up in the Maitland area and his Australian bouts. The pressures and influences on Les Darcy before leaving Australia.
The main feature of the talk is why did he go to America and what he experienced.
His experience will be IN HIS OWN WORDS from letters the Society obtain at a sporting memorabilia auction. The letters are FROM copies made by the USA Military Intelligence Reports.

There are two letters from Les Darcy. One addressed to Snowy Baker at Sydney and another to Rev Coady at Bishop’s House, West Maitland.


Members of the public are most welcome to attend the talk. The Society asks for a small charge of $5 to cover the costs of refreshments before and after the talk.

People wishing to contact the Society can do so by email ([email protected]) or by phone (0468 438990). Details on how to join the Society are found at https://www.maitlandhistorical.org/membership-application.php

20/09/2026

30/08/2026

Walk one will be held 12 September.

30/08/2026

Walk two will be held 26 September.

26/08/2026

Paul Taylor will be the speaker at Maitland Historical Society on Tuesday 1st September 2026, held at our rooms, 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5 30pm. All welcome.

Topic: HMAS Maitland: The Guardian of Our City.

This presentation will follow the history of Both HMAS Maitland (I), the wartime shore establishment in Newcastle during the period 1 August 1940 to 21 September 1946 and the Royal Australia Navy Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Maitland (II) during the period from concept to its current status.
Aspects of the construction and the naming phases of HMAS Maitland (II) will lead into the commissioning and service history. Pictorial aspects of the Commissioning on 26 September 2006 in Newcastle and Decommissioning of 28 April 2022 in Darwin and the several Freedom of Entry ceremonies by the crew in 2006, 2017 and 2022 will also be provided.
The presentation will conclude with an epilogue outlining the current status of HMAS Maitland (II) or as she is now known, Sentinel following the decommissioning.
During the presentation, several people with direct connections with both HMAS Maitland (I) and HMAS Maitland (II) will be introduced.


Members of the public are most welcome to attend the talk. The Society asks for a small charge of $5 to cover the costs of refreshments before and after the talk.

People wishing to contact the Society can do so by email ([email protected]) or by phone (0468 438990). Details on how to join the Society are found at https://www.maitlandhistorical.org/membership-application.php

02/07/2026

MAITLAND PARK: IT’S HISTORY AND MEMORIALS

Kevin Short will be our speaker at Maitland and District Historical Society on Tuesday 7rd July 2026, held at our rooms, 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5 30pm.

Kevin Short is a Past President of the Maitland & District Historical Society with a family story in Maitland reaching back into the 1830’s.
Kevin is a regular conductor of historic talks and walks, specialising in Maitland’s colonial history. One of these walks includes the memorials of Maitland Park.
Professionally, he was formerly the Divisional Returning Officer for Paterson being a permanent employee of the Australian Electoral Commission.

Members of the public are most welcome to attend the talk. Our $5 entry fee includes refreshments before and after the talk.

People wishing to contact the Society can do so by email ([email protected]) or by phone (0468 438990). Details on how to join the Society are found on our website, https://www.maitlandhistorical.org/membership-application.php

28/05/2026

Our Patron, Cameron Archer will be the speaker at Maitland Historical Society on Tuesday 2nd June 2026, held at our rooms, 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5 30pm. All welcome.

Cameron Archer is best known as a former long-serving Principal of Tocal Agricultural College, President of the Paterson Historical Society and author of several books.

Topic: Federation: Personalities, Pragmatists and Visionaries

Have you ever wondered how Australia became a nation? How did six quarrelsome, self-interested colonies put aside their differences and agree to unite as the Commonwealth of Australia? At the Society’s next history talk, Cameron Archer will explore these questions. The Origins and Federation of Australia. Drawing on five decades of political debate, popular will and remarkable characters—from Henry Parkes to Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin—the presentation charts the long and often turbulent road to Federation on 1 January 1901.

The address is drawn from Cameron’s research at the time of the Centenary of Federation, and from the public address he delivered at St Ann’s Presbyterian Church, Paterson, on 8 July 2001—itself a building with deep connections to John Dunmore Lang, one of Australia’s earliest advocates of Federation. Cameron also published a small booklet on the subject through the Paterson Historical Society at the time. This is an opportunity to hear a well-researched and lively account of one of the most important chapters in Australia’s history—told with a strong local connection.

Members of the public are most welcome to attend the talk. The Society asks for a donation of $5 to cover the costs of refreshments before and after the talk.

People wishing to contact the Society can do so by email ([email protected]) or by phone (0468 438990). Details on how to join the Society are found at https://www.maitlandhistorical.org/membership-application.php

04/05/2026

Ruth Trappel will be our speaker at Maitland and District Historical Society on Tuesday 5th May 2026, held at our rooms, 3 Cathedral Street, Maitland at 5 30pm.

Ruth Trappel has had an interest in all aspects of Maitland's history for over 40 years and is an active member of the Maitland & District Historical Society for most of these years. Ruth Trappel has been a key person in the Historical Society including serving as a past president. She is currently our Curator.

Ruth's talk on Edward Denny Day will cover his life story including the Myall Creek Massacre, apprehending the Jew Boy gang, his contribution as the Police magistrate of Maitland and his involvement in Maitland's history. All are welcome. Both Society members and the general public.

Members of the public are most welcome to attend the talk. Our $5 entry fee includes refreshments before and after the talk.

People wishing to contact the Society can do so by email ([email protected]) or by phone (0468 438990). Details on how to join the Society are found on our website, https://www.maitlandhistorical.org/membership-application.php