This podcast series explores how Newcastle’s Aboriginal communities share and tell stories. Always Was, Always Will Be, recognises that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first storytellers.  

Australia has the world’s oldest oral story telling culture and Newcastle has a rich collection of storytellers. 

John Maynard is Professor of Indigenous Education and Research (Indigenous History) at the University of Newcastle. John is a Worimi Aboriginal man started with a family history research to become one of the world's most respected voices on Indigenous history. 

His books include the Aboriginal Soccer Tribe and the Fight for Liberty and Freedom, which was shortlisted for the Victorian Premiers History Award and a book about convict artist, Joseph Lycett, titled True, Light and Shade and Aborigines and the Sport of Kings. 

This is a Newcastle Libraries REAL Production.