Capital history in the news
Canberra 100
The 100 objects that define Canberra | Tim the Yowie Man article featuring our very own Capital history here project Canberra 100.
The Canberra Times’ history column
Taking leap of faith for Canberra | Archives ACT article about The Birdman rally that was one of the quirkier but very popular events held during the Canberra Festival from 1985 to 1992.
The big Canberra Day showdown | Archives ACT article about the Canberra Day Procession, a highlight of Canberra Festivals in previous decades, which provided Canberrans an opportunity to celebrate community organisations.
Bridge opened amid dust fanfare | Dr Peter Dowling’s article about the opening of the Tharwa Bridge in March 1895.
Surrounded by slabs of history | Matthew Higgins writes about the huts and homesteads that dot our high-country national parks and survived the recent terrible bushfires.
History mysteries
Can Leo find the Canberrans he saved | In 1944 Leo Weizen and his family in Poland saved two Australians from death by hiding them when they escaped from the Nazis and now, he wants to make contact. Mr Weizen knows the men only as Roy and Victor but thinks they came from Canberra.
Canberra prisoner of war mystery solved | A tantalising mystery about the identity of a Canberra prisoner of war has been solved. The owner of a military identity tag found during the renovation of a house in Reid has been identified as Andrew McNeill who was a prisoner of war of the Japanese on the Burma railway.
Anniversaries
1970 was a good year for community | Belconnen Lions Club and Corroboree Little Athletics are some of the community organisations celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2020 indicating that 1970 was a year of action for community minded Canberrans.
45 years of supporting and housing women and children escaping violence | Beryl Women's Refuge has recently marked 45 years of service to the Canberra community. The book Opening a new door: The herstory of Beryl Women Inc documents its history.
Obituaries and Commemorations
Sir Lenox Hewitt was respected and feared by leaders | Obituary for Sir Lenox Hewitt who was best known for his partnerships with politicians Prime Minister John Gorton and Rex Connor, Gough Whitlam’s Minister for Resources and Energy. After his public service career he became chairman of Qantas.
Don Furner's obituary | Canberran historian David Headon’s obituary of Don Furner, one of the founding fathers of the Canberra Raiders.
A great and gracious Australian | Canberran historian Michael McKernan reviews I Wonder: The Life and Work of Ken Inglis. The book is a collection of essays that celebrates and remembers Ken Inglis, who was a great Australian and Canberran historian and academic. He was a professor at ANU for more than 30 years.
Art and Heritage
An inspired idea for art to help South Coast bushfire recovery | David Pope has drawn inspiration from the classic travel posters of the 1950’s for his series of posters The South Coast is Calling which has been launched to help drive tourism to the fire-affected region and raise funds for bushfire recovery.
ACT Heritage Festival is retro a-go-go | The Canberra and Region Heritage Festival has been given a retro reboot thanks to stunning artwork by local artist Hannah Minter. Note: This year’s Festival has been postponed in support of measures to contain COVID-19.
Other news
In a little apartment in O'Connor lives a true trailblazer for women | Profiles 93-year-old Skaidrite Darius who was a trailblazer at the Australian National University working as an assistant supervisor in the early years of data processing and computer administration.
At Blundell’s Cottage, walls tell their own story | Profile of Blundell’s Cottage based on ANU Archaeologist Dr Ash Lenton’s history of the cottage which was recently published in the Australasian Historical Archaeology journal.
The Jennings Germans and the town they helped to build | Article profiling the ‘Jennings Germans’ — a group of adventurous young German builders who were recruited by construction company AV Jennings to help meet Canberra’s construction needs in the post-war years. Note: Building a Life: The Jennings Germans story was an exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery but the Museum is currently closed in support of measures to contain COVID-19.
Working dog’s memorial | The Australian War Memorial has recently unveiled a new memorial dedicated to, and created by, military working dogs and their handlers. The memorial titled Circling into sleep in the Memorial’s Sculpture Garden, honours generations of dogs who have served, given their unconditional loyalty and, in many cases, their lives, to a common cause.
Acknowledgement: Inspired by David Pope’s wonderful The South Coast is Calling posters I went looking for historic South Coast images and found the image above at the State Library of Victoria. It shows the view through a hole in a rock formation to the beach in Narooma. The photographer was Victorian Railways and it was taken in 1945. It is out of copyright and see acknowledgement page for full details.
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