Grandparenting in Australia: a History (1945-2025)

Grandparents can play a fundamental role in family; yet they have often been overlooked in Australian history. We are writing the first history of grandparenting in Australia; and producing a guide to conducting oral histories with and about grandparents.

Nonna Fausta and her grandchildren, early 1980s. Courtesy of Francesco Ricatti

This project is supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (DP250100728)

Nicol families at the family holiday home “Lochnagar”, 1970s, Ebor, NSW. Courtesy of the City of Coffs Harbour
Madge Durrington with grandchildren Jane and Peter Markham and 1913 student Mary Thomas, 1985. Courtesy of the City of Coffs Harbour
Photograph of May and Sidney Louey Gung with their grandchildren Helena, Phyllis, Jeffrey, Barbara and Robert, in one of the family backyards, Melbourne, circa 1949. Courtesy of Museums Victoria

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Grandparenting fact sheet

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Baby held by mother and grandmother, 1930s, photographed by Sam Hood, Home and Away – 4472, Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Allan Gallagher with his son and grand daughters, 1997. Courtesy of the Gallagher family
Gung Family, Ascot Vale Home, circa 1965. Courtesy of Museums Victoria
Marjorie, Bill and Suzanne Cruttenden being met by Mrs Dorcas Brown, Marjorie’s mother, at Essendon Airport in December 1948. Bill was English and married Marjorie, their daughter is Suzanne. Courtesy of Museums Victoria.

Research Team

Francesco Ricatti

With Nonno Maurizio, mid 70s

Alexandra Dellios

Dellios children with Yiayia Loula, Melbourne, 1990

Tanya Evans

With Grandpa and her sisters at Littlehampton Beach

Liz Allen

With two of her great aunts, 1980

Emily Gallagher

Three generations of eldest daughters, c. 1997

Nathalie Nguyen

With her Ông Nội and Bà Nội in India

Media

The Conversation
ANU Press Release
QBN City News

Radio: ABC Illawarra, ABC Canberra, and Canberra 2CC
TV: Canberra WIN News

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Rally for the climate crisis, Saturday 22 February, Melbourne, organised by the Climate Justice Alliance, 22 February 2020, by John Englart
Family shot. Courtesy of Tracey Northcott (Flickr)