Each year the Library adds more than 1000 hours of interviews and music to our Oral History and Folklore collection records. Most of these interviews are specifically commissioned by the Library to capture the notable and everyday voices that describe our cultural, intellectual and social life.
Currently, the Library is recording interviews with a diverse range of Australians to ensure that stories of the COVID-19 pandemic are captured for present and future generations. These will explore how Australians have responded and continue to respond to this extraordinary health crisis.
One of the oral historians conducting these interviews is Barry York, who while undertaking the project completed the 500th oral history interview of his career. Around half of this incredible number of interviews were done for the Library going back to 1984.
Some of our other collecting projects that Barry has contributed to captured the voices of Polish Australians, National Union of Australian University Students and members of the Retired A.C.T. Transport Employees Club. Many more of his interviews can be found in the catalogue.
The Library offers a very well-deserved congratulations to Barry!
