The book provides a dark account of the impact of Spanish Flu on Australia, a dramatic and alarming revelation of tragic mortality, but with numerous descriptions of heroism across the country. It should come with a warning of graphic content. It will distress most readers, but will captivate them too.
The epidemic killed between 50-100 million people worldwide and left most Australian families devastated. “Nearly 15,000 people died within a year, yet little is known of its generational impact”, wrote Dr. Peter Hobbins from the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry at Sydney University.
Jean Curlewis, early 1920s
Many Australian women joined the Red Cross as Voluntary Aides. One of these was Jean Curlewis, a young Sydney socialite, who volunteered for work at the Walker Emergency Hospital in Concord West. She wrote numerous letters to her family. Jean’s mother, Ethel Turner, was the author of Seven Little Australians. Dorothea Mackellar reveals Jean’s tragic fate. Henry Lawson relates of his despair while a patient at the Walker Hospital.
I transcribed Jean’s letters years ago. Recently, in National archives, more stories and first-person reports from doctors, nurses, patients, chaplains and teachers spoke from the past of an alien world becoming so familiar to us today. Social distancing, schools and businesses shut, borders closed, wearing masks; death and devastation in our communities. State versus State in lockdown. Our community failing.
“Filled with a deep humanity, it is a work that is both distressing and inspiring. It is a chapter in modern Australian history shat should never be forgotten”, wrote Professor The Hon. Dame Marie Bashir in her foreword.
Fully illustrated with graphics from the past, this book is dedicated with deepest respect to the frontline workers of today.
For more information or to pre-order the book go to https://frontlineofthepandemic.com or you can obtain a copy at the City of Canada Bay Museum, 1 Bent Street, Concord any Wednesday or Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:30 p.m.
For the modest price of $20 (plus postage is necessary) this would make a great read and a great Christmas present.
Municipality of Concord – Population 1901 – 2,800; 1911 – 4,076; 1921 – 11,013; 1933 – 23,213; 1947 – 29,401; 1954 – 28,326; 1961 – 27,750 From 1947 there is a falling off in the population because the people are growing older, but as young people come to the district the population figures will rise….
Year 2021 has gone – and best forgotten. No visitors, no speakers, no gatherings. We just need to put it all behind us and look forward to a brand new 2022. Guest speakers are back on the first Saturday of each month and special events are being planned. Follow us on Facebook or check our…
One of our members, John Byrnes, who is also a member of the newly formed Strathfield Homebush Historical Society, would like to hear from anyone interested in researching any aspect of Homebush Bay. If interested, reply to john.mail@ozemail.com.au to keep in touch. John is about to commence a review of Aboriginal history across the Bay…
More Industries of Exile Bay Major Brothers & Company The third company to purchase industrial land in Phillip Street was Major Brothers & Company, a manufacturer of marine paints, boot polish and floor wax. The company was founded in 1915 and moved to its 1.6 hectare site at Concord in 1924 when it had outgrown…
In December 1799 Parramatta’s log and thatch gaol burnt down and was replaced by a stone gaol under the direction of the Reverend Samuel Marsden, acting as Superintendant of Public Works. The building commenced in 1802 and sometime in 1803 it was decided to add a second storey as a linen and woollen manufactory. This…
Harrow is a small town situated half-way between Melbourne and Adelaide, and the Johnny Mullagh story is a proud part of its history. The local museum features the history of Mullagh and his first XI cricket team, the first ever Australian sports team to tour the UK, and contains a life-size bronze statue of him….
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The recently published book, “Sydney: A Biography” by Louis Nowra contains a lengthy chapter on Concord and the Walkers. Drawing on the work of Patricia Skehan, Nowra has produced a potted history of Concord which in itself is worth the price of the book.
The recently published book, “Sydney: A Biography” by Louis Nowra contains a lengthy chapter on Concord and the Walkers. Drawing on the work of Patricia Skehan, Nowra has produced a potted history of Concord which in itself is worth the price of the book.