About

Dr Stella M. Barber

Dr Stella M. Barber is a professional historian who has written 18 books and several biographical booklets. She was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for her PhD thesis, "Woomera’s women: rolls and roles of film, camera operators on the Anglo-Australian rocket range 1947-1970,” which will become the subject of a forthcoming book and documentary.

Dr Barber has extensive practical knowledge of historical research methodology and written history, with excellent writing skills utilising an open, friendly style. She has experience in presenting historical information into any media: books, websites, exhibitions, historical markers, podcasts, film, and video. No job is too small, and she offers either a total package as researcher, writer, project manager for print, production and launch or each of these components individually. Additionally, she has professional qualifications in archives, heritage, and information management. Dr Barber has broad experience in conducting research in archival institutions, libraries, manuscript collections, newspaper houses and using the internet in Australia and worldwide, has been a practitioner of oral history for her entire career and is also available as a media presenter for historical and documentary programs.

Any area of history is of interest to Dr Barber, although she has a special interest in business, family, and social history.

When not writing, Dr Barber takes on contract work with museums and community groups. Most recently she has worked as Communications Historian to the National Communications Museum which opened in Hawthorn in 2024, as a researcher for the NSW Blue Plaques program, and as “Hidden Histories” tour manager for Link Community and Transport. She has written several significance assessments of major historical collections and has also been a contributing author for the Australian Dictionary of Biography, research coordinator and consultant historian on other publications, documentaries, and heritage projects; and has managed various archival collections, including for the Burwood Cricket Club, Coles Myer Ltd and the Myer family.