Susan Boyer - Truth in History

SUMMARY:
------------------------------
I absolutely loved Susan Boyer’s talk on ‘Truth in History’ — she brings warmth, curiosity and a historian’s rigour to a fascinating topic. Susan, an experienced author of educational history books including Across the Great Divide: True Stories of Life at Sydney Cove, explores how truth can shift over time depending on who tells the story. She draws on primary sources — journals, letters and reports — and highlights surprising examples like the Piltdown Man hoax and changing wartime alliances to show how accepted ‘truths’ can be overturned. Susan is especially keen to centre the voices of first‑fleet participants, convicts, women and Aboriginal observers, and she begins with a respectful acknowledgement of the Gadigal people. This talk is a brilliant reminder that history is layered: facts, interpretations and perspectives all play a part. If you’re into Australian colonial history, historiography, or just love well‑told real stories, Susan’s lecture is both thought‑provoking and accessible. Highly recommend watching for teachers, history buffs and anyone curious about how we construct the past.

RUMBLE DESCRIPTION:
-----------------------------------
Join Susan Boyer for an engaging evening on ‘Truth in History’. Susan is an experienced educational author (Across the Great Divide: True Stories of Life at Sydney Cove and other titles) and she speaks with warmth and clarity about how we find and represent truth in historical writing. After acknowledging the Gadigal people, Susan explains why she returned to original documents — journals, letters and official reports — to recover the voices of convicts, settlers and the Aboriginal people who witnessed the beginnings of colonial Sydney.

This talk ranges from revealing examples like the infamous Piltdown Man hoax to reflections on national memory, wartime narratives and how a nation’s enemies can become allies depending on circumstances. Susan discusses the responsibilities of writers and readers: how to weigh primary sources, spot bias and bring multiple perspectives into a fuller, fairer account of the past. She’s practical, thoughtful and funny at times, making complex ideas accessible for teachers, students and curious listeners.

If you’re interested in Australian colonial history, First Fleet stories, historiography or the ethics of storytelling, this is a must‑watch. Leave a comment with your favourite historical myth or surprising truth, share with a friend who loves history, and subscribe for more talks and book updates from Susan Boyer.

⚠️ CONTENT DISCLAIMER ⚠️
The views, opinions, and statements expressed in this video are those of the individual speaker(s) and audience members. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Western Heritage Australia or its affiliates.

This content is presented for educational and informational purposes as well as to facilitate public discourse on important social and political issues. We provide a platform for diverse Australian voices to be heard, to assist the public in forming their own informed opinions.

Western Heritage Australia does not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by speakers. All claims, statistics, and opinions remain the responsibility of the original speaker. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult multiple sources when forming opinions on these topics.

This video may contain strong political opinions, controversial viewpoints, strong language, or mature themes. Viewer discretion is advised.