Capital history 5
Dear Readers
We hope that you are faring well despite the difficulties of the lockdown. Today we are also celebrating Father’s Day. Best wishes to all, including those who may be finding this day difficult because they cannot be with their father or have lost their father.
I have enjoyed plating up some tasty history treats for you, may they, in a small way, brighten your day. Bon Appetit!
Historians always want to know the backstory so I was pleased to come across this ABC article about the history of Father’s Day: A history of Father's Day: From ties and tobacco to heartfelt family tributes. Answered many of my questions.
Appreciate this Canberra Weekly article that explores our national institutions online content with an emphasis on learning opportunities for children and young people: Explore the national institutions in lockdown virtually.
Also big thank you to the Canberra Times for drawing attention to Joy of Museums a site that explores and shares insights into the world’s best Museums, Art Galleries, and Historical sites worldwide as virtual Tours. This includes many of Australia’s major museums and galleries.
The 2021 NSW Premier’s History Awards, offering $75,000 in prize money, were announced on 3 September 2021 by the State Library of NSW as part of the official launch of NSW History Week. Canberra based author Matthew Colloff’s book Landscapes of Our Hearts: Reconciling People and Environment was amongst the winners:
Australian History Prize ($15,000)
People of the River: Lost Worlds of Early Australia by Grace Karskens (Allen & Unwin)
General History Prize ($15,000)
The Wardian Case: How a Simple Box Moved Plants and Changed the World by Luke Keogh (The University of Chicago Press and Kew Publishing)
NSW Community and Regional History Prize ($15,000)
Landscapes of Our Hearts: Reconciling People and Environment by Matthew Colloff (Thames & Hudson Australia)
Young People’s History Prize ($15,000)
Tell Me Why for Young Adults by Archie Roach (Simon & Schuster Australia)
Digital History Prize ($15,000)
FREEMAN by Laurence Billiet (General Strike and Matchbox Pictures)
Jenny Horsfield is one of Canberra’s terrific local historians. I highly recommend her latest book, A Bookshop in Wartime. It cleverly uses Verity Hewitt’s bookshop to tell the story of how Canberra was transformed during World War Two from rural backwater to capital city. Here is a taste:
War brought many changes to Canberra. It had always been a town of comings and goings but the upheavals of war brought a new influx of people: journalists, public servants, the military. They saw themselves as there for the short term. Canberra had always been a place people were glad to leave once their service was over. There were still few who called themselves ‘Canberrans’, though as time went on families put down roots here, grew to love and defend the place and be committed to its future.
— Jenny Horsfield, A Bookshop in Wartime
Acknowledgement: The image above of Canberra based author Matthew Colloff’s book Landscapes of Our Hearts: Reconciling People and Environment came from the Thames & Hudson website.
Please share. Let’s get the past and present talking.
