Thinking about the history of ANZCA : an Australian perspective

This paper reflects on ways of approaching the historical development of the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA), from an Australian perspective. It is not in itself a history. Rather, it seeks to examine some of the questions that have been raised by prior work on ANZCA, and particular frameworks, problems, and issues that need to be taken into account. Formed in 1979, ANZCA is an organisation with a complex past and present, incorporating the Australian Communication Association (AeA), and operating across two countries. In this paper, I discuss four issues, among the many that could be looked at in detail: the question of an Australian communication studies, the situation of the field in Australian higher education, communication education, and the notion of the field itself.