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THE IRASCIBLE DR GARDE!

THE IRASCIBLE DR GARDE!

Dr Henry Croker Garde  was a long term resident surgeon at the Maryborough General Hospital in Queensland. Born in 1855, he was a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast and  a prize winning Fellow of  the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The doctor was well travelled, having

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STELLA MARKS’ PORTRAIT OF EDITH CAVELL

STELLA MARKS'  PORTRAIT OF EDITH CAVELL

First, a little background. In 1931, art collector George Garnett presented prominent Hobart surgeon Dr. Victor Ratten with a gift, in thanks for saving the life of his 14 year old daughter Myra. Appropriately, the gift was a large oil painting of the British nurse Edith Cavell.

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A BRAVE AND CARING CONSTABLE

A  BRAVE AND CARING CONSTABLE

In April 1929 there was a devastating flood in the small tin mining town of Derby, in north-eastern Tasmania. A dam burst after a period of unprecedented rain. Fourteen people lost their lives and many others their homes and livelihoods. The death toll would have been much

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ARNOTT’S MILK ARROWROOT BISCUITS- BEST FOR BABY?

ARNOTT'S MILK ARROWROOT BISCUITS- BEST FOR BABY?

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Arnotts sought testimonials from people feeding their little ones on milk arrowroot biscuits. The possibility that an image of their child might be chosen to illustrate an advertisement was irresistible. The company was soon swamped by photos and letters

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TRAVEL TORTURE – A PLACE CALLED WHAT?

TRAVEL TORTURE - A PLACE CALLED WHAT?

 Lost in a Labyrinth of Consonants It’s fun showing of your pics when you return from foreign parts. The only problem is pronouncing the name of the places you captured in those fabulous shots! There’s no problem if you’re showing them to cousin Frank, who lives in

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EDITH CAVELL’S LOST PORTRAIT

EDITH CAVELL'S LOST PORTRAIT

Edith Cavell was a  nurse, and WWI heroine.  A portrait of her was a fitting gift for a Tasmanian surgeon.                 IN APPRECIATION…..               In 1931, Dr Victor Ratten performed life-saving surgery on 14

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A MIRACULOUS BONE GRAFT?

A MIRACULOUS BONE GRAFT?

Stephen W. O’Flaherty was a worker in Scott’s sawmill at Derby, a small community in the north-east of Tasmania. In 1913 he suffered a significant injury when a lever at the mill rebounded and a lag slipped, breaking his arm in two places. It was said that

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THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ‘PANTHER’

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS 'PANTHER'

The Blue Mountains…a mystical, wild region where talk of a lurking panther, Big Foot, Drop Bears’ and the like have excited and terrified tourists for years. Are we locals just having fun at their expense?   Below is a report from the Blue Mountains Gazette, March 23

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THE GRACE HOTEL

THE GRACE HOTEL

Recently I paused and looked skyward at this wonderful Sydney building. At street level it’s hard to appreciate its full, 300ft glory, sheathed in glazed cream, terra-cotta tiling. Somehow it reminds me of the toy blocks I played with during my 1950s childhood. However, it was built

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CATS CALLED THE HARBOUR BRIDGE HOME

CATS CALLED THE HARBOUR BRIDGE HOME

Around Christmas 1950, twin white cats were spotted atop the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There they remained. It seemed the pair had decided it was the best location in the city, with world class views. Well really, who could blame them? The snowy residents

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