Among the treasures from the Trevor Kennedy collection, purchased recently by the Australian National Museum, is a unique brooch. It was made-to-order in Amsterdam for pioneer aviator Charles Kingsford Smith, as a gift for his bride to be, Mary Powell. The couple had become engaged on Mary’s
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In June 1954, Welsh born artist Edwin Tanner was living in Tasmania, working as an engineer with the Hydro Electric Commission. He moved to Melbourne in 1957. Tanner (1920-1980) was a man of many parts. As well as being an artist and professional engineer he was an
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Someone asked me recently why people often speak of artist and author Norman Lindsay (1879 – 1969) as having lived at Springwood in the Blue Mountains, when the property is actually in the neighbouring village of Faulconbridge. One reason is that Norman himself always wrote his address
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Swansea is a small town on the east coast of Tasmania. This story begins in triumph, but ends in heartbreak. My thanks to friend and fellow history buff Margaret Schmidt for bringing it to my attention. In December 1933, 17 year old Swansea resident Mabel Cotton completed
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Goulburn, in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, is hardly the type of place one associates with anarchy. However, on Friday, July 13 (yes, Black Friday) 1962, the Catholic Church flexed its muscles against the State Government. Bishop John Cullinane ordered the closing of six Catholic
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My favourite spot during this Covid lockdown winter has been our ‘sun trap’ wood stack at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. Here I happily saw and split logs and enjoy the company of birds. Friends tell me I should get my husband Rob to do the work,
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The poor old wallaby was considered a huge pest in the old days. Any call to protect native animals was immediately cried down by farmers; The following image is from Town and Country Journal in 1906. Even youngsters went out with guns, a bit like my bother
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Stella and Reginald Harrison were married at Hawthorn, Victoria in May 1934. However, married life for the couple began in Sydney, where Reginald had been appointed Manager of the Mansion House Private Hotel in Elizabeth Street. The only shadow on their happiness was that in July Stella,
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If you visit the Mildura Arts Centre you will see this striking painting by Irish born artist William Orpen. The inspiration behind the c.1913 painting is fascinating. At that time in Ireland, government grants for art and education came from Whitehall under the direction of the Irish
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I love my woodheap. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in chilly Tasmania and now live in the Blue Mountains village of Blackheath (aka BLEAKHEATH). Oh that promise of cheerfulness and warmth. It is also a perfect sun trap on our property in autumn and winter. Despite
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