Capital history in the news
Biography
Extraordinary tales of Canberra’s icons unearthed | A new set of biographies focussed on individuals who have become part of Canberra’s history was recently launched. The Australian Journal of Biography and History: No. 2, 2019 was produced by the National Centre of Biography in collaboration with the Canberra and District Historical Society. It can be accessed here.
Exhibitions
National Archives lifts the veil on spy-craft with a glimpse into the 'mundane' reality of ASIO's work | The National Archives of Australia's latest exhibition examines espionage and counter espionage in Australia from the time of Federation until now. It features anonymous interviews with several ASIO officers and an interview with ASIO's most recent former director-general, Duncan Lewis. The exhibition is on until 27 April 2020. Entry free.
Remembering Hugh Ramsay lost star of Australian art | Article about the Hugh Ramsay retrospective at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). Deborah Hart, head of Australian Art at the NGA explains that Ramsay had been a prodigy who died far too young, at the age of 28, but still produced art to be celebrated. Hugh Ramsay is showing until March 29. Entry free.
Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial's poppy pinching pigeon welcomes new addition | The pigeon that made a nest of poppies in the Hall of Memory at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) has now been joined by its baby. The AWM have said the pigeons’ residency is a reminder of the battlefield bonds formed with animals.
Anniversaries
Happy 50th birthday Dickson library | On Saturday 30 November celebrations were held to recognise Dickson Library’s 50th birthday, which opened on the 6 December 1969. Its heritage listed building is also an iconic Canberra building having been designed by internationally respected Italian-born architect Dr Enrico Taglietti.
Other history news
Game set and match in Canberra | Archives ACT article about how tennis in the city progressed from Canberrans in the 1920’s establishing tennis clubs to the $27 million Canberra Tennis Centre in Lyneham. Highlights that the history of the city can be found in some surprising places with the Federal Capital Commission’s file on tennis offering insights into the long standing popularity of tennis and how the early tennis clubs led to Tennis ACT.
Acknowledgement: The image above is inspired by the National Archives of Australia's exhibition Spy: Espionage in Australia which I am really looking forward to visiting. It is a hand bill produced during the Second World War, titled Spies Are Loose in This Area...watch Your Tongue [picture]. (1944). The image comes from the State Library of Victoria and is out of copyright. See acknowledgement page for full details.
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