Back to All Events

Fatal Contact: How Epidemics Nearly Wiped Out Australia’s First Peoples

Tuesday, 22 March 2022
18:00 19:00

National Library of Australia Parkes Place West Parkes, ACT, 2600 Australia (map)

Google Calendar ICS

Fatal Contact - Author Talk

Join Author & Speaker Dr Peter Dowling, National Trust of Australia

6-7pm Tuesday 22 March
National Library of Australia Theatre, Canberra ACT

Registration essential for this event. Register Here

Organised in collaboration with the National Trust (ACT), Canberra Archaeological Society and the Friends of the National Library of Australia.

In partnership with the ACT National Trust, the Friends present author Peter Dowling discussing his book, Fatal Contact: How Epidemics Nearly Wiped Out Australia’s First Peoples.

This ‘study leaves us in no doubt that imported diseases afflicted large numbers of people, resulting in their deaths, debility and sterility, ultimately leading to population depletion.’ - Dr Charmain Robson, UNSW.

‘A truth unremembered in a process of historical amnesia labelled the “great Australian silence” by anthropologist W. E. H. Stanner.’ - Dr Cassandra Pybus in The Conversation.

Members of the Friends of the National Library, National Trust, Canberra and District Historical Society and Canberra Archaeological Society are able to purchase tickets by entering their member number when prompted.