Irish born Myra Farrell lived in the Sydney suburb of Mosman, at 27 Prince Albert Street. She was an eccentric genius, credited with some thirty inventions. Many had a domestic application; including stitchless buttons, boneless corsets, and a folding clothes line that could accommodate 280 ft of
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Cape Everard Lighthouse in Victoria is now known as Point Hicks Lighthouse. The reason why is explained in a link at the end of this article. From The Argus, January 10 1935 STEAMER CAPE YORK TAKES TOYS AND STORES Although the Christmas and New Year festivities are
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Cabinet maker Tom Piper arrived in Ulverstone from Victoria in 1921 and set up business in Reiby Street. What an asset he proved to be. If I were asked to describe the furniture showroom of Mr. T.H. Piper, cabinetmaker, Ulverstone, at the main entrance to which is
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The soprano Amy Sherwin was ‘discovered’ as a young woman when members of an Italian Opera company heard her singing in rural Tasmania. Many years later something similar happened in England, but this time it was Amy who was the discoverer. As Amy’s own singing career began
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Isn’t this a striking, full length portrait? The subject is Tasmanian born artist Florence Rodway. It was completed by her friend and fellow artist Norman Carter (1875-1963), in 1910. Unfortunately no colour version exists. The first mention of the portrait in the press was in 1911; Mr
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The Kindergarten Union of New South Wales was established by a handful of educational reformers in 1895. They believed that Sydney’s deprived, inner-city children should be given the opportunity to experience gentle, play based learning before entering public school. A founding member of the group was the
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While visiting Tasmania a few years ago, I bought a miniature barrel (circa 1940s), made from Tasmanian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). It’s a very tactile object, but more importantly it reminds me of my childhood in the island state. On the lid is a tiny, silver map of
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Fitzgerald’s…..the name evokes memories for so many Tasmanians. In March 1886, Hobart born George Parker Fitzgerald (1843-1917) established a department store that would remain an integral part of the city for decades to come. I suspect this is one of the earliest photos of the building, not
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By the 1850s Tasmania (still known as Van Dieman’s Land) was in need of its own, official postage system and legislation was duly passed. It was intended that the first stamps would be printed in England, but as the deadline of a November 1 1853 issue date
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Edith Holmes (1893-1973) was born in the rural community of Hamilton, in Tasmania. She showed great promise at drawing from an early age. Encouraged by her mother, Edith began studying art at the Hobart Technical College in 1918, aged 15. In 1930-31 she received tuition at Julian
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