unearthing hidden stories
unearthing hidden stories
Dr Criena
Fitzgerald
Historian and Consultant
News and Events
from HistoryWest
News of recent events and research projects from Dr Criena Fitzgerald.
If you have a project that would be of interest to our readers, please feel free to share news about things that are happening in your area.
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Dr Criena Fitzgerald
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Community Talk: Faiz Mahomet
Faiz Mahomet was one of the most important ‘Afghans’ in Western Australia until 1906 when he left never to return...
The Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc invites you to a presentation by Dr Criena Fitzgerald about The Life and Times of Faiz Mahomet, Afghan cameleer/businessman.
Wednesday 24th April 10am.
Book launch in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
The Eastern Goldfields Historical Society hosted a local book launch of 'For a Better Life' on 24 November 2022 with Criena Fitzgerald giving a talk focussing on the 1934 riots that are graphically documented in her book.
Articles about the event were published in the Kalgoorlie Miner.
Royal Western Australian Historical Society Award
The Royal Western Australian Historical Society has awarded a High Commendation to Dr Criena Fitzgerald's book For A Better Life: Yugoslavs on the Goldfields of Western Australia 1890-1970 as part of the Williams Lee Steere Prize for 2022.
The Merchant and the Mosque
Heritage Perth Weekend talk
Saturday 9 April 2022
Western Australian State Office, National Archives of Australia, Northbridge
WA State Manager Vesna Liso welcomed and introduced the guest speaker, Dr Criena Fitzgerald. Dr Fitzgerald, who has been coming in to do research at the National Archives for many years. It is always a pleasure to hear her talk about her research.
Yugoslavs migrating to WA
Radio interview on 6PR
Dr Criena Fitzgerald, historian and author of For a Better Life: Yugoslavs on the Goldfields of Western Australia 1890-1970, discusses her new book that highlights the fascinating stories of Yugoslavs migrating to WA with Steve Mills on Millsy at Midday.
Community Talk
History West
The Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc
Community Talk
‘If you’re Australian leave your light on, if you’re a foreigner leave now’. The Yugoslav community and the 1934 race riots in Kalgoorlie and Boulder.
Dr Criena Fitzgerald
Temporarily Postponed due to COVID, new date TBC
Venue: Stirling House 49 Broadway Nedlands
Tickets $10
Now on sale
For a Better Life: Yugoslavs on the Goldfields of Western Australia 1890–1970
An in-depth history of the experiences of Yugoslavs on the Western Australian goldfields.
356 pages, more than 260 images, full colour, quality section sewn binding, soft French-fold laminated cover and quality printing.
Revealing hidden faces
Pictures tell stories
Beside the recording of oral histories, painstakingly resourced personal photos and images of documents and artefacts add vivid life to Criena’s books.
The images in her recent books have been extensively enhanced and restored with state-of-the-art technology, revealing obscure details, bringing individual experiences to life, and throwing a spotlight on lost faces.
Book launch
Shattered Ideals and Fractured Identities: Western Australia to Yugoslavia and back 1948–1955
On the 17 Nov 2018, at the Spearwood Dalmatinac Sport and Community Club, Dr Criena Fitzgerald, well known history author, launched her latest book – complete with a replica boat, dancing and shots!