There’s some confusion about exactly when the first camels and their handlers arrived in Australia, and for what purpose. We do know that “Harry” was the first camel to arrive in Australia after landing in Port Adelaide on 12 October, 1840. The animal was shipped from Tenerife, Spain, by the Phillips brothers, Henry Weston and George. Camels…
Educational requirements of Concord were commenced in a private school conducted by Mrs. Love, near Bray Grove. On Mrs. Love’s demise, her daughter continued the school, with the address on her letters: “Miss Love, ‘Love Dale,’ Concord, opposite Kissing Point.” (Note: At that time Ryde was known as Kissing Point.) Some few years prior to…
Bungaree, or Boongaree (1775 – 24 November 1830), was an Aboriginal Australian from the Kuringgai people of the Broken Bay area north of Sydney, who was known as an explorer, entertainer, and Aboriginal community leader. He is also significant in that he was the first person to be recorded in print as an Australian, and…
Ten days after the landing at Sydney Cove on the 26th January, 1788, Captain John Hunter with Lt. Bradley, led an expedition along one of the rivers running into Sydney Cove. This is now known to us as the Parramatta River. Having left at daylight, the expedition proceeded up the river, passing several natives in the…
Though Christmas may be celebrated differently around the globe, there’s one festive tradition that is shared the world over – dinner. Be it roast turkey with all the trimmings, spicy meat stew, grilled seafood, or even Kentucky Fried Chicken, ‘tis the season for feasting. Here are nine traditional Christmas meals to truly whet your appetite….
Just a reminder that our November speaker, Andrew Tink, will be talking about ‘Honeysuckle Creek: the story of Tom Reid, a Little Dish and Neil Armstrong’s First Step. His talk is about the pivotal role that the tracking station at Honeysuckle Creek played in the first moon landing. His book gives a gripping account of…
Often when we talk about early colonial history of Australia we mention great governors such as Major General Lachlan Macquarie (1810-1821), or the 1808 Rum Rebellion agitator Mr. John Macarthur. However, what if we explored the lives of each of their wives, Elizabeth and Elizabeth? On Saturday 3rd September, City of Canada Bay Heritage Museum…
For those who love the philosophy of ambiguity (as well as the idiosyncrasies of English).One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!Atheism is a non-prophet organisation.If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she…
Original Edition of The ANZAC Book The ANZAC Book is a true Australian artefact. There’s no war book that’s quite like it. It’s also a time capsule. The book tells us something about what men thought then – in 1915 – on Gallipoli and cut off from the world. It is not the story of…
One man is central to Australia’s understanding of its protracted defeat at Gallipoli a century ago. C.E.W. (Charles) Bean, Australian War Correspondent, Official Historian and unofficial curator of the Anzac legend. Bean’s overwhelming influence over how Australians remember Gallipoli, Anzacs and the Great War is undeniable and nowhere more evident than in his first Anzac…
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay “them.” 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s…
Harry was a valued member of our Society. Military history was one of his passions, and his immense knowledge was extremely helpful any time we were arranging new displays around our collection of militaria. He was also an intrepid traveller, visiting many places around the world where the average traveller would never think to visit. …
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