Episode Details

The grim history behind the NSW State Library's doors. Opened in 1826, exclusively to the rich white men who could pass a secret "blackballing" test, the doors were redesigned during World War II to depict Indigenous people. But their origin story is wild, as Annabel Crabb discovers.

This episode's speakers:

• Damien Webb — Manager of the Indigenous Engagement Branch
• Richard Neville — Mitchell Librarian

You can see the bronze doors at the Mitchell Library on Shakespeare Place in Sydney, or by searching for SLNSW portico doors.

• Presenter: Annabel Crabb
• Researcher: Julia O'Shea
• Audio Engineer: Harvey O'Sullivan
• Supervising Producer: Rachael Cusick
• Executive Producers: Eric George and Carmel Rooney
• Head of Audio on Demand: Jessica Radburn

To hear the rest of the History Or Hoarding? podcast series, or for more of the best history podcasts covering Australian history, global history, including war, politics, literature and some of the most interesting people, moments and turning points in history, go to ABC listen Australia's history tab or the ABC Australia channel or wherever you get your podcasts.

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