Privacy Policy

Last updated: 28 October 2026

Our Past is an independent Australian history project operated by Jacob Ure, based in Newcastle, New South Wales.

We respect your privacy and are committed to handling personal information responsibly. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use and store it, and how you can contact us about your information.

1. Information we collect

We may collect personal information when you interact with Our Past, including when you:

  • Contact us by email or through our website.

  • Subscribe to updates about documentaries, projects or events.

  • Submit historical information, photographs, documents or personal stories.

  • Participate in interviews, documentaries or historical research.

  • Enquire about collaborations, services or history tours.

Depending on the circumstances, this information may include your name, email address, telephone number, correspondence, photographs, audio or video recordings, and other information you voluntarily provide.

Our website may also collect technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited and website activity.

2. How we use your information

We collect and use personal information to:

  • Respond to enquiries and communicate with you.

  • Conduct historical research and produce documentaries, videos and articles.

  • Record and preserve personal accounts and historical information.

  • Contact potential interview participants and contributors.

  • Provide project updates you have requested.

  • Manage bookings, collaborations and other services.

  • Maintain, secure and improve our website.

We use personal information for purposes connected with its collection, other purposes you have agreed to, or as otherwise permitted by law.

3. Historical contributions and interviews

Preserving personal stories is an important part of Our Past.

If you contribute photographs, documents, personal memories or participate in an interview, we may retain these materials for research, production and historical preservation.

We will discuss the intended use of identifiable interviews and personal contributions with contributors and seek appropriate permission before publishing them.

Published material may appear on the Our Past website, social media platforms, documentaries, public screenings or other relevant publications.

Please contact us if you have questions about how your contribution may be used, or wish to discuss correcting, restricting or withdrawing material. We will consider these requests, although material already published or distributed may not always be fully retrievable.

If you submit information about another person, please ensure you have appropriate permission to share it.

4. Email subscriptions and communications

If you subscribe to Our Past updates, we may use your email address to send information about documentaries, historical projects, events and other activities you have requested.

Mailing list information is stored and managed through Squarespace and Google Workspace.

You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe option provided, where available, or by contacting jacob@ourpast.au.

We do not sell your personal information or email address to advertisers.

5. Website analytics and cookies

Our website is hosted by Squarespace, which uses cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security and performance.

We use Squarespace's website analytics features to understand how visitors interact with our website and identify opportunities for improvement.

Our website displays a cookie consent banner that allows visitors to:

  • Accept cookies.

  • Decline non-essential cookies.

  • Manage their cookie preferences.

Some essential cookies may still be required for the website to function properly.

Third-party services, including embedded videos and external platforms, may also use cookies or collect information according to their own privacy policies.

You can manage cookies through the consent options provided on our website or through your browser settings.

For more information, visit Squarespace's Privacy Policy.

6. Third-party services

Our Past uses third-party services to operate its website, communicate with visitors and publish content.

These include:

  • Squarespace: Website hosting, analytics, contact forms and mailing list management.

  • Google Workspace: Email communications and storage of contact information.

  • YouTube and social media platforms: Publishing and displaying videos and other content.

  • External booking and payment providers: Processing bookings or payments where applicable.

These services may process information according to their own privacy policies.

We may also share relevant information with people assisting with research, production or administration, where reasonably necessary and subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements.

We do not otherwise disclose personal information to unrelated parties without permission unless required or permitted by law.

Some service providers may store or process information outside Australia, including in the United States and other countries where they operate.

7. Storage and security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access and disclosure.

Mailing list and subscriber contact information is stored and managed using Squarespace and Google Workspace.

Other personal information, including correspondence, historical submissions and research materials, may be stored through email accounts, cloud storage, website services or research and production systems.

Access to personal information is limited to those who reasonably require it for legitimate Our Past activities.

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including historical preservation where appropriate, or where required by law.

When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it, unless it is being lawfully retained for an ongoing purpose.

8. Accessing or correcting your information

You can contact us to request access to personal information we hold about you, or to ask us to correct inaccurate or outdated information.

You may also request deletion of information you have provided. We will consider requests in accordance with applicable law and any relevant research, publication or archival commitments.

9. Privacy concerns

If you have a question or concern about how your information has been handled, please contact us using the details below.

We will review your concern and aim to respond within 30 days.

If you are dissatisfied with our response, and the matter falls within its jurisdiction, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our activities, website or legal requirements.

The latest version will be available on this website, with the date of the most recent update displayed above.

11. Contact

Our Past
Operated by Jacob Ure
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Email: jacob@ourpast.au
Website: www.ourpast.au