Singing the News in Early Colonial Australia revives a centuries-old tradition of singing ballads as a form of news transmission. Associate Professor Una McIlvenna and PhD Candidate Madeline Sargeant will trace the journey of news ballads from European streets and marketplaces, via convict and migrant ships, to the colonies’ streets, theatres, and newspapers.

Moving beyond the traditional narrative of the ballad as belonging to the bush, Singing the News reveals that songs were legitimate news media. But unlike other sources of news, the ballad is distinct in its ability to rouse the emotions of the listener through music. Using the technique of contrafactum – new songs set to old tunes – ballads are endowed with layers of meaning. Stories of real people, events, and places in the early colony will be performed, providing a unique opportunity both to encounter these underappreciated sources of historical knowledge and to even sing along.

Events are free but bookings are essential. Tickets to be announced soon at The Street.