Capital history in the news
75 years since World War Two
Commemorating all who served | Acknowledging the significance of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has produced a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration for every living veteran of the Second World War. Applications can be made online or for those without access to the internet, by phone on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
Cheers for veteran Roy's 100th | Canberra World War II veteran Roy Murphy will celebrate a very happy 100th birthday next week, surviving even the bombings of Darwin in 1942, including one day when he had to dive for cover as the Japanese attacked receiving shrapnel wounds to his leg.
History happenings
Collector's talk Martyn Jolly's phantasmagoria | Live demonstration of a magic lantern in the Canberra Museum and Gallery theatrette as art historian and collector Martyn Jolly discusses its history. On September 2 from 1.00pm. Free event but registration must be made at Eventbrite.
Virtual collection tour We can be queeroes | Every Tuesday from 12.30pm the National Portrait Gallery is providing a 30 minute online tour of the portrait collection. September 1 the tour’s theme will be We can be queeroes and it will be an exploration of gender, performance, and queerness.
National archives news
It will take longer than my lifetime: Archives go digital | The National Archives of Australia has struck a deal to take the first step in digitising its collection signing off on a $1.4 million contract with digital preservation platform Preservica.
Indigenous history
Welcome to Ngambri country says Paul House | Ngambri man Paul House explains that many Ngambri are concerned that they are not formally recognised by the ACT Government as Canberra’s first people, the custodians of the country south-west of Weereewa (Lake George), which includes the modern ACT.
Wattle Day
2020 Week of the wattle | For National Wattle Day (September 1) Australia’s national institutions are joining to create a golden glow in the night sky – just like blooming wattle in the parks and reserves during the day. See link above for other events.
Canberra’s sports history
When sport on Sundays was not on | Greg Blood, a member of the Australian Society for Sports History, writes about how from the late 1920’s to the 1970’s Canberrans were discouraged from playing sport on Sundays because conservative and religious values prevailed in relation to recreational activities.
Australia’s history in Canberra
Statue of caretaker Prime Minister John McEwen planned for parliamentary zone | A sculpture of caretaker Prime Minister John McEwen will go up in the parliamentary zone to commemorate the long-serving Country Party leader.
Visit Canberra for much more than a history lesson | A guide to visiting Canberra that highlights the places in Canberra that tell Canberra and Australia’s history.
Acknowledgement: Inspired by Martyn Jolly’s demonstration of a magic lantern at the Canberra Museum and Gallery the image above is a man with a magic lantern. It was created by Frank Ernest Allen in 1909 and comes from the State Library of Victoria. Full details here.
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