Pauline Conolly

Fireworks, the manufacture and art of displaying them, were a passion for English born Charles Knight. Exactly when he arrived in Tasmania is unknown, but it seems he had learned his craft at the famous Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens of London, in the 1840s. Knight established a fireworks...

Sydney Harbour has been the centre of fireworks displays from the very early days of the colony. In December  1855 they were used to mark the Fall of Sebastopol,  during the Crimean War. Military victories of  the ‘mother country’ were  celebrated with joy and pride by  the...

Punch seems the ideal Christmas party drink for Australia; so refreshing and festive, plus the perfect way to make use of summer fruits. My partner Rob and I inherited a heavy crystal punch bowl from Rob’s grandmother.   She lived in Adelaide, and  used it at 1930s tennis...

Red net Christmas stockings…no, not this kind Santa. 😎 I mean those cardboard and mesh ones stuffed full of trashy novelties. How I loved them. I particularly remember Chinese finger traps, blow out whistles adorned with a feather, flip books, tin patty pans and tilt toys with...