Nicole Townsend
@townsend-nic.bsky.social
Historian of war and conflict
Lecturer at UNSW Canberra
Director, Second World War Research Group, Asia-Pacific
2026 David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellow, State Library of New South Wales
All views my own
Lecturer at UNSW Canberra
Director, Second World War Research Group, Asia-Pacific
2026 David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellow, State Library of New South Wales
All views my own
🚨 Delighted to share that I have signed with Bloomsbury to write my first book: a study of Australia's involvement and strategic interests in the Middle East and Mediterranean in WW2.
November 5, 2025 at 7:43 PM
🚨 Delighted to share that I have signed with Bloomsbury to write my first book: a study of Australia's involvement and strategic interests in the Middle East and Mediterranean in WW2.
The short abstract for my fellowship project is now on the State Library of New South Wales' website—so here it is!
October 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
The short abstract for my fellowship project is now on the State Library of New South Wales' website—so here it is!
I'm delighted to say that I have been awarded the State Library of NSW's David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship for 2026!
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
October 22, 2025 at 11:08 AM
I'm delighted to say that I have been awarded the State Library of NSW's David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship for 2026!
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
My project is titled "Close the Bases: A History of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition".
Looking forward to getting stuck into the archives next year.
What a difference three weeks makes!
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
October 20, 2025 at 7:07 AM
What a difference three weeks makes!
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
Hating the heat in Canberra right now, but the tomatoes are loving it.
L to R: 19 October, 12 October, 5 October
As a certified AFL diehard, I'm watching the trade period news keenly.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
October 10, 2025 at 3:13 AM
As a certified AFL diehard, I'm watching the trade period news keenly.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
That means I got to enjoy this gem of an editing/proofing oversight from Fox Sports.
Though, to be fair, I kind of like this version. We've all had a bit of a whine over dinner.
Three months ago, our house flooded in the middle of the night. Suddenly moving meant leaving behind my magpie brood, well before I was ready.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
October 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Three months ago, our house flooded in the middle of the night. Suddenly moving meant leaving behind my magpie brood, well before I was ready.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
We visit the area when we can, and they fly to me immediately, warbling the familiar song that woke me each morning for several years. I miss them greatly.
With the unseasonably warm weather, interspersed with soaking rain, my tomatoes and zucchini have gone bonkers. These were planted as small seedlings ~3 weeks ago!
October 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
With the unseasonably warm weather, interspersed with soaking rain, my tomatoes and zucchini have gone bonkers. These were planted as small seedlings ~3 weeks ago!
Also, this particular one had me cackling when "I've had the time of my life" kicked in.
September 27, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Also, this particular one had me cackling when "I've had the time of my life" kicked in.
Our new house has a fully functioning kitchen, which means we finally got to cook a vegan lasagna for the first time in ages—and it turned out amazing!
Layers of rice pasta sheets, roasted eggplant, zucchini and pumpkin, and homemade marinara sauce. All topped off with vegan cheese.
Aced it.
Layers of rice pasta sheets, roasted eggplant, zucchini and pumpkin, and homemade marinara sauce. All topped off with vegan cheese.
Aced it.
September 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Our new house has a fully functioning kitchen, which means we finally got to cook a vegan lasagna for the first time in ages—and it turned out amazing!
Layers of rice pasta sheets, roasted eggplant, zucchini and pumpkin, and homemade marinara sauce. All topped off with vegan cheese.
Aced it.
Layers of rice pasta sheets, roasted eggplant, zucchini and pumpkin, and homemade marinara sauce. All topped off with vegan cheese.
Aced it.
I'll be in Syd quite a bit over the next year, so I think I'll be a regular there 🫣
I also forgot to recommend GingerSnap Pattiserie in West Melbourne. We got some of their cakes for our wedding because they're so amazing. The picture is their mocha layer cake.
I also forgot to recommend GingerSnap Pattiserie in West Melbourne. We got some of their cakes for our wedding because they're so amazing. The picture is their mocha layer cake.
September 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I'll be in Syd quite a bit over the next year, so I think I'll be a regular there 🫣
I also forgot to recommend GingerSnap Pattiserie in West Melbourne. We got some of their cakes for our wedding because they're so amazing. The picture is their mocha layer cake.
I also forgot to recommend GingerSnap Pattiserie in West Melbourne. We got some of their cakes for our wedding because they're so amazing. The picture is their mocha layer cake.
It's wattle season here in Canberra, which means the city is absolutely covered in bright yellow.
Spring is finally here!
Spring is finally here!
August 24, 2025 at 3:39 AM
It's wattle season here in Canberra, which means the city is absolutely covered in bright yellow.
Spring is finally here!
Spring is finally here!
It's one of those things where the more you look at it, the wackier it gets. The images are one thing, then there's PMs "Billy Mc-" and "Frase"
August 9, 2025 at 6:11 AM
It's one of those things where the more you look at it, the wackier it gets. The images are one thing, then there's PMs "Billy Mc-" and "Frase"
Today's unexpected vintage store find in Canberra: a mint condition copy of 1 Aus Para Battalion. Couldn't let it go for what was quite a steal!
July 13, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Today's unexpected vintage store find in Canberra: a mint condition copy of 1 Aus Para Battalion. Couldn't let it go for what was quite a steal!
This week marked the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Prevedello and Ian Meikle on 2CC's Sunday Roast about Australia's involvement in the Korean War, and some of the Korea-related findings of our recent survey.
This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Prevedello and Ian Meikle on 2CC's Sunday Roast about Australia's involvement in the Korean War, and some of the Korea-related findings of our recent survey.
June 29, 2025 at 6:15 AM
This week marked the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Prevedello and Ian Meikle on 2CC's Sunday Roast about Australia's involvement in the Korean War, and some of the Korea-related findings of our recent survey.
This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with Joe Prevedello and Ian Meikle on 2CC's Sunday Roast about Australia's involvement in the Korean War, and some of the Korea-related findings of our recent survey.
It's that time of year when the yellow-cheeked black cockatoos visit our backyard to feast on pine cones.
June 28, 2025 at 6:20 AM
It's that time of year when the yellow-cheeked black cockatoos visit our backyard to feast on pine cones.
After finding out we had no insulation in two-thirds of our rental property, we're *very* happy the installation happened right in time for this frigid weekend in Canberra.
Still cold, but at least the heater works now!
Still cold, but at least the heater works now!
June 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
After finding out we had no insulation in two-thirds of our rental property, we're *very* happy the installation happened right in time for this frigid weekend in Canberra.
Still cold, but at least the heater works now!
Still cold, but at least the heater works now!
Physical copies of our latest survey from the War Studies Research Group arrived yesterday, so here's a sneak peek ahead of its release tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing this research out there.
Watch this space for more details!
Watch this space for more details!
June 17, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Physical copies of our latest survey from the War Studies Research Group arrived yesterday, so here's a sneak peek ahead of its release tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing this research out there.
Watch this space for more details!
Watch this space for more details!
Nothing like paying a premium for Kayo Fox Footy, only to be forced onto free-to-air TV anyway because the Kayo feed has been stuck on an "ad break" for 45 minutes and counting.
June 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Nothing like paying a premium for Kayo Fox Footy, only to be forced onto free-to-air TV anyway because the Kayo feed has been stuck on an "ad break" for 45 minutes and counting.
A foggy start to the day here in Canberra!
June 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A foggy start to the day here in Canberra!
Very much looking forward to speaking at this conference in October. Tickets are now on sale, so grab one early to nab a spot if you're in Melbourne then!
June 9, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Very much looking forward to speaking at this conference in October. Tickets are now on sale, so grab one early to nab a spot if you're in Melbourne then!
We truly lucked out this long weekend: 20 degrees, sunny, and an aurora to boot. Chasing stars in Shoalhaven and going to sleep with the roaring waves is just what is needed at the end of the semester.
June 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
We truly lucked out this long weekend: 20 degrees, sunny, and an aurora to boot. Chasing stars in Shoalhaven and going to sleep with the roaring waves is just what is needed at the end of the semester.
10 years ago, I was in Venice. It's been a long time since then, and so much has happened in that time. Fingers crossed, I'll be able to return soon.
May 14, 2025 at 5:17 AM
10 years ago, I was in Venice. It's been a long time since then, and so much has happened in that time. Fingers crossed, I'll be able to return soon.
Parade ground views as I write lectures for my Contemporary Warfare course. Today's topic is the Arab Spring and the Libyan/Syrian civil wars. Lots of material to cover in only 20–30 minutes!
May 5, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Parade ground views as I write lectures for my Contemporary Warfare course. Today's topic is the Arab Spring and the Libyan/Syrian civil wars. Lots of material to cover in only 20–30 minutes!
Not surprising, but when pressed on the matter re: Qantas announcements, Dutton says: "I think it [Welcome to Country] should be reserved for significant events of our country".
His recent Anzac Day statement declared it "one of the most significant ... days on our national calendar".
His recent Anzac Day statement declared it "one of the most significant ... days on our national calendar".
April 28, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Not surprising, but when pressed on the matter re: Qantas announcements, Dutton says: "I think it [Welcome to Country] should be reserved for significant events of our country".
His recent Anzac Day statement declared it "one of the most significant ... days on our national calendar".
His recent Anzac Day statement declared it "one of the most significant ... days on our national calendar".
After a week of this, it's back to Canberra today. Already missing the escape into nature, but at least I'm coming home to mountains, lakes and greenery, too!
April 19, 2025 at 6:18 AM
After a week of this, it's back to Canberra today. Already missing the escape into nature, but at least I'm coming home to mountains, lakes and greenery, too!