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…
The History of the Kookaburra Coins Australia entered a modern age post World War I and for many Australians, it was a time for breaking out, questioning and changing old values and behaviour and enjoying the good life. It was a time of great change. People forgot the old and embraced the new in an…
Doyle’s adventures in the Antipodes Arthur Conan Doyle had trained and practised as a doctor until the success of his Sherlock Holmes stories allowed him to give up medicine and become a full-time writer. His autobiography, Memories and Adventures, reveals a more than passing interest in the supernatural as early as the 1880s. In his account of…
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….
Reverend John Flynn Reverend John Flynn (1880-1951), born in Moliagul, Victoria, was a Presbyterian minister who was instrumental in founding what is today known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service. In 1911, at age 31, John was ordained into the ministry. He volunteered in rural areas and completed a survey of the Northern Territory, writing…
From royalty to poets and preachers – here are the stories behind the familiar faces that grace our banknotes. It’s a question that stumbles teams at trivia nights across the nation – we see most of them daily, but for many, the names and stories behind the faces on Australia’s banknotes remain a mystery. The…
The People on Australia’s Banknotes Australian banknotes contain portraits of Australians and others, from royalty to poets and preachers, who have played a significant role in the life of the nation. The people on the banknotes have made defining contributions to Australian society in many fields of endeavour, and their mark on our national story…
One of the most valued possessions of the State Library of NSW, the Tasman Map, displays the results of Dutch explorer Abel Tasman’s two voyages to the southern ocean between 1642 and 1644. The Tasman Map shows remarkably accurate sections of the Australia’s western and northern coastlines, and forms the basis of most charts produced over…
Daisy May Bates was born Margaret May O’Dwyer, on 16 October 1859 at Roscrea, County Tipperary, Ireland. At the age of twenty-four she travelled on the Almora to Australia. She stayed at the home of the Bishop of North Queensland and later with several family friends who had migrated previously. Because of this she later said ‘Australia…
From life-saving devices to modern conveniences, a raft of great Australian inventors have turned game-changing ideas into a reality and forever changed how we live. Historically, Australia has punched well above its weight on the world stage of timely inventions, scientific breakthroughs and cleverly designed new technologies. We are naturally inquisitive and, since time immemorial,…
For more than 60 years, Australia has played a vital role in space tracking owing to its geographic location and its technical know-how. A high point was reached at 12.56pm (AEST) on 21 July 1969 when the Apollo tracking station at Honeysuckle Creek, near Canberra, transmitted live television of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the surface…
The Wattle Brooch – fit for a Queen In 1954 Queen Elizabeth made her Coronation Tour of Australia. To celebrate the visit it was decided to present her with a very special gift – something uniquely Australian. And what better choice could there be than the country’s native flora represented in a spray of precious…