I am a freelance writer and historian with qualifications in writing, cultural heritage management, and history, and have worked in a variety of public programs and research roles in the arts and cultural sector. Since 2006 I have been working as a writer and consulting historian through my business, Blake Hyland Group Pty Ltd. Please contact me for more information or to discuss work opportunities.
My key strengths include:
- Extensive research experience as a historian and reference officer in a variety of cultural institutions including libraries, archives and museums.
- Well-developed written communication skills with an ability to write everything from academic thesis, peer reviewed journal articles, and lectures to books, blogs, exhibition text, brochures and tour scripts.
- Demonstrated interpersonal and oral communication skills. This includes experience delivering conference papers and talks to academic peers, lectures and tutorials to university students, as well as more informal talks on various aspects of history and cultural heritage to community groups. I also have experience aiding clients and visitors of cultural institutions in person, by phone, or email, and devising and delivering guided tours for adults and primary and secondary school groups.
- Demonstrated ability to work with a range of information technologies and social media.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively either without supervision, or as part of a team.
EDUCATION
2019
Doctor of Philosophy, History, Monash University.
2004
Masters in Biography and Life Writing, Monash University.
1996
Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Cultural Heritage Management), University of Canberra.
1992
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing, University of Canberra.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2021-
Library Officer, Whitehorse-Manningham Regional Library Corporation
- Delivering customer service and performing a range of public floor duties as part of the branch teams at Warrandyte and The Pines libraries.
2014-2015
Sessional Lecturer & Unit Coordinator, School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education and Arts, Federation University Australia, Gippsland campus.
- Undertook teaching and assessment of undergraduate students within areas of History/Sociology/Politics.
- Developed, taught and moderated courses in History/Sociology/Politics at undergraduate level.
- Performed full course coordination duties within History/Sociology/Politics.
2010-2015
Consulting Historian, Archaeology at Tardis Pty Ltd.
- Historical research and the preparation of reports on land ownership and land use that formed part of Cultural Heritage Management Plans and other applicable reports.
2007-2010, 2001-2003
Project Officer, City of Whitehorse.
- Worked as research assistant and project officer for the City of Whitehorse municipal history, Suburban Heartland: A History of the City of Whitehorse.
- Researched and prepared interpretive text for a range of historical displays and heritage projects, including a series of 36 interpretive panels and six brochures covering various aspects of the history of the City of Whitehorse as part of a Centenary of Federation project.
- Assisted the Heritage Programs Officer and Arts Curator in the development and delivery of arts and culture programs, including the publication of the City of Whitehorse Art Collection catalogue, and Artists Trail brochures.
2006
Research Consultant, National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
- Conducted wide-ranging research to assist in the interpretation of the award-winning Crime & Justice Experience at Old Melbourne Gaol.
- Planned and executed interviews with a range of individuals with experience of the justice system to support education and interpretation programs.
2003–2006
Access Services, Reference & Administration Officer, Public Record Office Victoria.
- Provided a reference service to the public and government clients including face-to-face, by telephone, email and written correspondence. Provide advice and training to PROV clients in the use of the catalogue.
- Participated in the preparation of PROVguides and publications.
- Provided a photocopy service to the public.
1997–2000
Display Coordinator & Interpretation Officer, National Library of Australia, Public Programs Division.
- Coordinated the development and installation of displays for the Library’s public access spaces, including liaison with curators, conservators and installation team members.
- Researched, developed, and documented displays for the Library’s public access spaces.
- Assisted with the research and interpretation of public programs, including volunteer guide programs and online productions.
- Developed tour scripts and other interpretive material for volunteer guide programs.
- Organised public programs events, including conferences and literary events.
PUBLICATIONS
Peer reviewed
“Women on the Woods Point Goldfields: A Case Study in Microhistory.” Journal of Australasian Mining History 14 (October 2016).
“Chasing Eliza Miles: An Archive Story,” Lilith: A Feminist History Journal 21 (2015).
“Shaping a Family Archive,” Circa: The Journal of Professional Historians 2 (2011).
“Rescuing the Regent Theatre,” Provenance: The Journal of Public Record Office Victoria 4 (2005).
Non peer-reviewed
“Getting it Write: Telling Stories from your Family Archives,” Ancestor: Quarterly Journal of the Genealogical Society of Victoria Inc, 30:1 (March-May 2010).
“ ‘Woods point is my dwelling place’: Interpreting a Family Heirloom,” Provenance: The Journal of Public Record Office Victoria 8 (2009).
“Fanzines: The First Frontier,” National Library of Australian News, (Nov 1998).
Unpublished theses & conference papers
“Women and Community on the Upper Goulburn Goldfields”, PhD thesis, Monash University, 2019.
“Marriage and Family Life on the Upper Goulburn goldfields, 1870-1880,” Entangled Histories, Australian Historical Association Annual Conference, University of Newcastle, 2017.
“ ‘Hotel keepers and bar maids galore’? Women’s Experiences and Activities on the early Upper Goulburn Goldfields, 1860-1863,” From Boom to Bust, Australian Historical Association Annual Conference, Federation University Ballarat, 2016.
“Agnes ‘Mother’ Buntine,” Foundational Histories, Australian Historical Association Annual Conference, University of Sydney, 2015.
“Chasing Eliza Miles,” Conflict in History, Australian Historical Association Annual Conference, University of Queensland, 2014.
“Women on the Woods Point Goldfields,” Diversity in Mining, Australasian Mining History Association Annual Conference, Beechworth, 2013.
‘Seeing Melbourne through the Prism of Family Stories’, The Talk About Town: Urban Lives & Oral Sources in 20th Century Australia, State Library of Victoria, 2009.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Peer reviewer for academic journals.
Australian Historical Association
Member, 2014-ongoing.
Australian Museums and Galleries Association
Member, 2020-ongoing.
Old Treasury Building Museum
Volunteer, 2019-ongoing.
Professional Historians Association (VIC & TAS)
Member, 2010-ongoing.
Committee member, Professional Development sub-committee, 2013-2018.
Committee member, Publications sub-committee, 2020-ongoing.
State Library of Victoria
Volunteer Greeter, 2019-ongoing.
Victorian Folk Music Society
Member, 2013-ongoing.
Committee member, 2016-2017.
Writers Victoria
Member, 2018-ongoing.