An online talk hosted by the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA). The first talk for 2025 is presented by Associate Professor Jon Prangnell, entitled Revisiting the Peel Lazaret after all these years. This 45 - 50 minute talk starts at 6 pm AEDT/3pm AWST/5.30 ACDT/8pm NZDT and will be followed by a Q & A session.

All bookings are through Humantix (link is below). A Zoom link will be sent to the email address you used to register closer to the event. We look forward to seeing you - virtually!

Abstract

The Peel Island Lazaret housed Hansen’s Disease patients between 1907 and 1959. Along with numerous other ‘undesirables’ they were isolated from the rest of society on an island in Moreton Bay. My PhD research focussed on the paternalistic management of the Lazaret by the Department of Health and Home Affairs and its impact on the daily lives of the inmates. Now decades later, I revisit this project for a new audience and reflect on the ways changes in historical archaeological practice and thought would have improved my project.

Speaker

Associate Professor Jon Prangnell recently retired after over 30 years as a historical archaeologist and cultural heritage practitioner at The University of Queensland. He continues to research the development of capitalist social relations in colonial and post-colonial Queensland. Through this work he assists non-dominant groups to explore the ongoing expression of these relations in contemporary society and to use their tangible and intangible heritage to help achieve their political ambitions. He was awarded the Governor’s Silver Heritage Award in the 2013 National Trust of Queensland Heritage Awards. Jon was President of ASHA from 2010 to 2013 and co-edited five volumes of the ASHA journal. But, most of all, Jon enjoys mucking around with Heidi, his 3 year old granddaughter.