Presented in association with the National Trust.

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 Librar, National Trust, Canberra and District Historical Society and Canberra Archaeological Society are able to purchase tickets by entering their member number when prompted.

Become a member of the Friends of the National Library of Australia. 

Image: Cover of Fatal Contact