Capital history in the news
Reading history
Books a comfort in times of war | Historian Jenny Horsfield writes about Australians and New Zealanders’ reading habits during World War Two. Books were important to both civilians and the armed services. The public at home wanted reading that connected them to the troops serving overseas and for those serving books were a source of comfort, support and company. Article is an extract from Jenny’s book, A bookshop in wartime, to be published later in the year.
Utopian visions still very far away | After reading about the utopian novels that may have influenced Walter Burley Griffin and his design of Canberra, Russell Wenholz read them but concluded they were unlikely to have influenced his design of the city.
Writing history
New anthology of Canberra writing challenging city's identity | These Strange Outcrops is an anthology of new Canberra writing which includes Hilda Fitzgerald’s You are now New Australians an account of her mother’s life transplanted in the wake of World War Two to Canberra in 1953. Editors Nancy Jin and Rosalind Moran also edit Cicerone an on line journal based in Canberra publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Editors sought: Australian Historical Studies Journal | The Board of Australian Historical Studies is seeking expressions of interest to edit the journal for a 3-year term, 2021–23. An individual, or editorial team, can apply for the editorship. All enquiries and submissions should be directed by 31 July 2020 to the Chair of the Board, Professor Katie Holmes, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, by email K.Holmes@latrobe.edu.au
Teaching and learning from history
Insight into Professor Angela Woollacott's Interest in History |Manning Clark Professor of History, Angela Woollacott, was recently interviewed by the History News Network of America on her interests in History and how she became a Professor of History. You can read the full interview here.
Coronavirus lessons we can learn from history | Article about how an understanding of history can help us get through the COVID-19 pandemic. It features 96-year-old Joy Wheatley, who has witnessed multiple crises, including World War II and the Great Depression — events that were devastating, but united many people against a single challenge.
Acknowledgement: I really enjoyed reading Jenny Horsfield’s account of the importance of books during World War Two. Looking forward to her book to be published later in the year, A bookshop in wartime. The image above is a box of books being sent by R.A.A.F. Educational Services, under the circulating box library scheme, to a war zone in 1943. The image is out of copyright and comes from the Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria. See acknowledgement page for full details.
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