For birds, sight is the most critical of the senses for survival. Hence, their eyes are much larger in relation to the size of their heads (and brains) in comparison to other vertebrate, including we humans. A large pupil allows more light to enter. That’s why an
Read more →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
Read more →Anna King was the first Governor’s spouse to reside in New South Wales. Her husband (and first cousin) was Philip Gidley King, the Colony’s third Governor. He was in office from 1800 until 1806. In 1799 Anna boarded the ship Speedy for a not so speedy trip
Read more →Is it possible to make friends with a bandicoot? Well, to my surprise the answer is ……yes! Lorraine Tongs Clifford spent her early years on a farm at North Motton, outside Ulverstone on the north-west coast of Tasmania. It was an idyllic childhood, as her recently completed
Read more →Residents of Devonport, on the north-west coast of Tasmania, once had an opportunity to pick up an old master; a portrait by French artist Nicolas de Largillière (1656-1746) THE SELLER – MR GARNETT Offering the painting at auction was Yorkshire born George H. Garnett. He was a
Read more →Three Hummock Island is located in the Bass Strait, close to the north-west coast of Tasmania. It became the centre of a mystery in October 1902. Captain Leask, master of the ketch Royal Oak, returned from a visit there and notified authorities that he had found the
Read more →Cremation was being advocated in Tasmania in the 1890s. The following piece is from the Tasmanian Democrat, August 7 1896. A correspondent asserted that traditional burial was very costly, and that cemeteries often became eyesores. ‘For a piece of ground suitable for this purpose you will have
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