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.
‘Dr Fitzgerald’s talk today arises from her current research project, a biography of Faiz Mahomet, Western Australian businessman and camel proprietor, which she is working on in collaboration with Faiz Mahomet’s great-grandson, Sameen Akbar.
It is a fascinating story, and one which can increase our understanding of Perth’s history as well as the experiences of non-British residents in the late colonial and early Federation eras.’
‘Dr Fitzgerald has published widely on a range of subjects in Western Australian history, including public health campaigns and tuberculosis; the social and medical history of the lung disease silicosis; and the Yugoslav migrant experience. Her most recent book is For a Better Life: Yugoslavs on the Goldfields of Western Australia 1890-1970.’
Following the presentation, Kellie Abbott, Assistant Manager, Western Australia Office said:
‘I just wanted to say thank you. [Your talk] was absolutely fascinating, and you made it really engaging. We heard only positive feedback from our visitors.
We really appreciate you putting this talk together for us, especially at such a difficult time.’
‘We hope to see you sometime in the reading room as you finish writing what I’m sure will be a fabulous book.’
