Back Stories of Innovation
By definition, ‘innovation’ is a new idea, device, or method. It’s born out of ingenuity, passion and a desire to make things better. By nature, innovation is also intrinsically connected to ‘the future’ and as a result, we often dismiss the past as lacking relevance; being “the old way”. But could we be missing something? What can we learn from the past to help us into the future? Innovation has always existed, so of course we can learn from those who previously invented, created, adapted and pivoted.
The New England has an incredible indigenous and post-colonial history filled with stories of innovation. In this event series at NOVA, we will explore our Armidale region as an innovative and forward thinking community, historically and into our future. We simply can’t build the future if we don’t celebrate the past. We look forward to seeing you each month for ‘Back Stories of Innovation’.
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Anyone with an interest in building our future whilst learning from our past.
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Back Stories of Innovation is a lunchtime gathering at NOVA, 122 Faulkner St, Armidale.
Check the events page for next event!
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At each event we ask guest speakers to present on a range of topics centred on ‘innovation’. A light lunch is served.
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This is a free event.
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If you have any questions, please contact the UNE SRI team on 0482 949 684 or email
Creativity and perseverance are the cornerstones of innovation where new ideas builds value to the community.
Historic Armidale photos courtesy UNE Archives. Special thanks to UNE adjunct Bill Oates.
About the Armidale Folk Museum
The Armidale Folk Museum is conducted by Armidale Regional Council. With origins dating back to 1933, it is one of the oldest regional museums in Australia.
It is housed in the magnificent 1863 Armidale Literary Institute building and contains a vast array of fascinating exhibits, from a box brownie to a buggy.
You can see how Armidale grew from a tiny pastoral village to the Cathedral and University City of today, how our forbears lived and worked over a century ago, and the solemn sacrifice of its citizens at war.
Faces of Back Stories
Faces of innovation and back stories from Armidale through the lenses of local photographers
Faces of Back Stories is a photographic project that spotlights the faces behind the businesses from the event series, Back Stories of Innovation. In 2022 we have shared stories of our past ingenuity and creativity told by local historians, and in the same breath we have highlighted the stories of our innovators now building new enterprises driven by a sense of purpose and vision for what is possible in our changing landscape.
The Faces of Back Stories exhibition is showing at NOVA, UNE SRI from November 30 2022 to February 28 2023. View the digital exhibition here.
Thank you to our partners of the ‘Back Stories of Innovation’ event series: Armidale Folk Museum, Armidale and District Historical Society, Friends of the OTC, New England Regional Art Museum, Garden History Group, Business New England, and Armidale Regional Council.
The above poster of the original Mosman Estate in 1885 is on display at the Armidale Folk Museum. Special thanks to Armidale Regional Council.
Event snapshot stories
