Capital history in the news
Anniversaries
YWCA Canberra has been fighting for women for 90-years | Canberra’s branch of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Article explains how the Y started in 1929 to support the large numbers of young women moving to Canberra to take up work during the early decades of the city.
Walter Scott Griffiths glass slides alternative plans for Canberra | The National Film and Sound Archive is marking the 55th anniversary of Lake Burley Griffin with the publication of 24 rare glass slides on their website featuring an unused alternative design for the city of Canberra.
Artur was 16 when he began work on the Snowy hydro scheme | This month it is 70 years since construction of the Snowy hydro scheme commenced. Article profiles Artur Baumhammer who at 16 started work on the Snowy hydro scheme only days after arriving in Australia from Germany in 1952.
The day Mick Jagger came to Braidwood | Tim the Yowie Man article about the 50th anniversary of the filming in Braidwood of Ned Kelly with Mick Jagger in the lead role. The anniversary will be celebrated with a gala screening at Braidwood’s National Theatre on Saturday October 26 at 7pm. Doors open from 6pm. Free admission.
Policing decades marked with craft | Australian Federal Police (AFP) museum curator Chris Cranston has marked the 40th anniversary of the AFP by making four quilts from blocks that were contributed by AFP members or their family. The quilts will be displayed at the AFP anniversary ball than in the AFP headquarters in Canberra before travelling around to regional officers.
Exhibition
New exhibition shines light on Australian peacekeepers | The Courage for Peace exhibition aims to tell the story of Australian peacekeeping efforts around the world across the decades from Rwanda to Cambodia, East Timor to the Solomon Islands. It will be displayed in the special exhibition’s gallery of the Australian War Memorial until late 2020.
Other news
Kosciuszko's pioneer weathermen | An article by Matthew Higgins about the young men who lived year-round on the summit of Mt Kosciuszko and from 1897 to 1902 sent weather recordings to Australia’s most engaging meteorologist Clement Wragge.
Geocon confirms plans to demolish Gus' cafe | A GEOCON spokesman has confirmed its plans to demolish Bunda Street’s heritage-listed cafe, Gus’ Cafe, to make room for the construction of an 11-storey hotel, Canberra City Luxury Hotel. Article explains how Gus’ cafe started in 1967 by Gus Petersilka became part of Canberra’s heritage.
Skywhale returns home to Canberra | The Skywhale, commissioned by the ACT government to mark the centenary of Canberra in 2013 is coming home. The balloon was anonymously donated to the National Gallery of Australia who will use its acquisition as part of a bigger plan for the gallery.
Acknowledgement: The image above is inspired by Matthew Higgins’ article about the weathermen of Mt Kosciuszko. It is The Top of Mt. Kosciusko. [picture] TAKEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT TRIG (1892) by J Macfarlane. It comes from the State Library of Victoria. Note this image is not in copyright. See acknowledgement page for full details.
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