Anzac Day broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. The public holiday is very meaningful to some, while others have vocally criticised it and sometimes faced backlash for doing so. The way we talk about and remember wars, conflict, suffering and violence shapes our understanding of it.

Welcome to our second Common Ground event, "narratives of war". The night begins with a Q&A between MC Alex Morris and local academic Prof Philip Dwyer. Philip has written prolifically on the subject of violence. He is the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence at the University of Newcastle. Philip’s most recent book, The Darker Angels of our Nature debunks the myth of non-violent modernity.

The Q&A is followed by a panel with Philip alongside psychiatrist Dr Cynthia Parker who holds a special interest in defence personnel and specialises in PTSD. Also on the panel is Joe Garcia, who served for four years as a soldier for the US Army in Fort Eustis, Virginia. Alex will moderate and each person will share their own stories of war and understanding of war. The audience is invited to ask their own questions on this broad and compelling topic.

Attendees are invited to purchase Philip's book in advance from local bookseller Betty Loves Books and pick them up on the night. Order books via this link: https://square.link/u/wqTc7ncV?src=sheet

Common Ground’s Mission Statement

Worried by the heated and divisive state of public discussion today, we seek to build a conversational community to facilitate productive discussion and critical thinking about complex and controversial issues. People with different opinions and perspectives are welcome. Common Ground is a place to share and a space to listen.

Come along. Learn something new, make a friend! BYOB. (Bring Your Own Brain). Tea and coffee available.

Wednesday April 24 at The Base Health in Newcastle West.

Doors open from 6:30pm and we aim to wrap up by 9.

Meet the Guests!

Philip Dwyer is Professor of History and founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence. He has been a Senior Fulbright Scholar, a Visiting Fellow to All Souls College, Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Leibniz-Institute for European History in Mainz. His primary research interest was once in eighteenth-century Europe with particular emphasis on the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire. His interests are now focused on world history and the history of violence.
Learn more about Professor Philip Dwyer here:
https://theconversation.com/pr...
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/p...
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/r...

Joe Garcia had a challenging childhood, growing up in southern California. In 2004 he joined the military after he learnt it would allow him to pay for art school. During his service he worked as a watercraft engineer, motor transport operator and armourer. He also served as part of the funeral detail. He was assigned (but never made it) to Iraq, and after his honourable discharge in 2008 he relocated to Brisbane. He then went on to work in film and TV in Sydney. During the pandemic he moved to Newcastle to finish his design degree. Joe joins the panel with caution. He loves his country but wouldn't call himself a patriot. He's no war enthusiast. He dislikes conflict but he also understands that it is sometimes inevitable. He is open to publicly sharing parts of his experience as an American soldier

Alex Morris is a writer, content creator, MC and events organiser. Originally from the States, she's lived in Newcastle for over a decade and has been involved in hosting and running all kinds of interesting and fun events. She loves throwing/attending a good party and equally adores intelligent, thought-provoking conversation. Learn more about Alex by reading her Substack Newsletter, The Weekly Write.

Dr Cynthia Parker is a psychiatrist practicing in Warners Bay, working in PTSD, women’s mental health and anxiety disorders. While studying medicine she received a scholarship with RAAF and worked as a doctor for them between the NT and Newcastle. She then worked as a GP at Nelson Bay and later went on to pursue psychiatry. She's been a practicing psychiatrist for nearly 20 years. She believes veterans are not only affected by war, but also by how they're treated afterwards.
Dr Parker is also a clinical director of a group therapy program, focused on acceptance and belonging.

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Contact the host of Common Ground: Narratives of War