Katherine Sheedy

Author, Historian

Katherine’s passion for making history accessible to a general audience inspired her decision to follow a career as a professional historian. She has broad experience in all aspects of professional history including commissioned histories, heritage, significance assessment and oral history. Katherine is the author of histories on educational institutions, businesses and professional bodies.

In all her work Katherine has been an enthusiastic supporter of oral testimony, in particular its ability to enable contributions from people who may otherwise be unlikely to contribute to the historical record.

Where were you born?

I was born in Ballarat, Victoria, a beautiful goldfields-era city, possibly best known to generations of school children as the home of Sovereign Hill.

What other jobs have you had?

One of my first full-time jobs was with a bridal magazine publisher. I got to attend wedding dress photo shoots and write gushy bride-to-be copy.

What themes are recurring in your work?

History, belonging, community, stories and women.

What have been the highlights of your career?

I love witnessing the process of turning a manuscript into a book: editing, images, design and production. There’s nothing like the thrill of holding your first published book.

What are you passionate about?

Helping communities trace and share their history with the wider community. Finding some of the lesser-known voices in the annals of history and bringing them to life.

Katherine is a Way Back When historian. Read more about the Way Back When Historians and their history sessions here.