Talking History: Oral history guidelines

These guidelines bring together background information about oral history theory and practice, policy and discussion papers, select practical information, and information about relevant resources such as designing interviews, interview techniques, recording equipment and project evaluation.

Oral history played an important part in previous Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC; now Office of Environment and Heritage) projects involving Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Oral history recording was an accepted and essential part of our cultural heritage work.

Aboriginal communities of New South Wales in all their diversity are a vital source of living history. Their knowledge, experience and memories, combined with the attachments and meanings they bestow upon particular places and landscapes across New South Wales, contribute to our understanding of cultural heritage significance and conservation.