From Our Collection

From Our Collection

Concord’s Infectious Diseases Register Councils were required to keep a register of infectious diseases under the Public Health Act, 1896 (Act No. 38, 60 Vic). (This book covers the period January 1898 to March 1970.) As the local authority, Concord Council was notified of cases within the municipality by attending medical practitioners. Upon advice, the…

A Tale of Two Pandemics:  CBA during the Spanish Flu

A Tale of Two Pandemics: CBA during the Spanish Flu

One hundred years ago, another pandemic was causing devastation around the world. At a time where digital banking and contactless payments couldn’t easily substitute the use of cash, Danny John and Juli Liddicoat investigate what the world looked like for Commonwealth Bank employees and customers, as seen through the eyes of the Founding Governor Denison…

You Must Wear a Mask

You Must Wear a Mask

In 1918-1919, when the Spanish influenza pandemic swept the globe, Australians – with their peculiar sense of humour – devised unique ways of dealing with the apparatus and cures popular at the time. For example, hideous faces were painted onto the face mask, or kewpie dolls and huge wire spiders hung from the sides. However,…