Anyone for Tennis?

Anyone for Tennis?

By the time I was 21, I was learning ballroom dancing, doing medal exams and training for competition dancing. My partner got hit with a hockey stick in the leg and ended up losing half of his leg. I was too distressed to continue and also gave ballroom dancing away. However, I was playing tennis…

From Our Collection

From Our Collection

The Begging Boy This is a garden statue of a boy wearing clothes reminiscent of Oliver Twist who appears to be begging for something. There is no inscription on the object, but it was probably mounted on a plinth that could have contained some information. This object only came to light when we finally moved…

Bee Miles:  A truly larger-than-life character

Bee Miles: A truly larger-than-life character

My grandmother and mother spoke about Bee Miles, a name known to everybody in that era, with many people remembering seeing her on the streets in the inner city.  For almost half a century, beginning in the 1920’s, Bee was celebrated and known as the best-known Sydney character.  Ellis describes Bee as “Australia’s famous bohemian…

The Joseph Marceau Legacy in Quebec, Canada

The Joseph Marceau Legacy in Quebec, Canada

Our friend Deke Richards, who made the documentary on the Canadian Patriotes, the French and English-speaking rebels who were sent in exile to Australia aboard the Buffalo in 1840—the 91 English-speaking Canadians were sent to Tasmania while 58 French-speaking Canadians came to Concord, NSW—recently contacted us regarding a special event held in Quebec. The Patriot…

My 21st Birthday

My 21st Birthday

Ever since I turned three and through my teens, I have had a myriad of social engagements. All of them were truly wonderful, from teen dances to weddings, the family New Year’s Eve parties, christenings etc. If I had a party of my own to feel strongly about, it would have been my 21st birthday…

From Our Library

From Our Library

Louisa Lawson: Henry Lawson’s crusading mother This book, written by Lorna Ollif, tells the story of Louisa Lawson (nee Albury). who was born in 1848, near Mudgee. In 1866 she met and married Peter Larsen, a Norwegian seaman – she was only 18, while Peter was 14 years her senior. Peter was a gold prospector…

Coming Ready or Not

Coming Ready or Not

Japanese Midget Submarines enter Sydney Harbour. The boom safety net protection across Sydney Harbour was designed in January of 1942 and its construction began that month.  It was located at the narrowest point of the inner harbour entrance, between George’s Head on Middle Harbour, and Green Point on Inner South Head.  This protective net was…