History Week with Sue Whiting

In this workshop, participants will be taken back to the famous gold-mining town of Hill End, NSW, during the boom times of 1872, the setting of Sue Whiting's new novel Our History: Hill End Gold. Here, they will meet fictitious Alfie Wilson and his family, who have sold up the family farm and moved to Hill End to strike it rich and become the Wealthy Wilsons. 

Sue will share some of her research techniques and show how the historical facts that underpinned her story helped create tension and drama. She will ask participants to consider what might drive people to risk everything to find gold and whether fortune really does favour the bold. The workshop will include short written and brainstorming activities. 

What you will need: Students will need paper and pens/pencils for this session. 

Target audience: This session is suitable for students in Years 3–6 (children aged 9-12) but all welcome.

This session, artworks, film and sound clips are protected by copyright and may not be recorded, reproduced or used in any way without the express written consent of the State Library of NSW. 

This event takes place online via Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link to join after you register. Register here.

Sue Whiting is an acclaimed children’s and YA author, editor and former primary school teacher. She writes for many age groups, from picture books through to YA, including the bestselling mystery novels Missing and The Book of Chance, and the popular Pearly and Pig series. Many of her books have been named CBCA Notable Books and shortlisted for children’s choice and literary awards. Her latest books include the middle grade novels Promises and Other Lies and Our History: Hill End Gold. Sue is a passionate advocate for reading for pleasure and loves nothing more than enthusing kids about books and reading.