It is with much sadness we wish to inform you of the passing of Betty Stirrat on 2nd June at the age of 96.
Betty was a former member of our society and one of our last direct links with Dame Eadith Walker and the Yaralla estate. Her father was the electrical engineer on the estate and she and the family lived in “Magnolia”, the engineer’s cottage. This house is still standing and has been converted to a dementia daycare unit.
Also known as All Fools’ Day, it is celebrated annually on the first day of April. It is a time for the traditional playing of pranks upon unsuspecting people . . . the victim of such a prank being called an April Fool. The origins of this custom are somewhat uncertain, but may have initially…
Her Newgate Prison jailors never imagined how far Esther Abrahams would travel. In 1786 London, pregnant prisoners like this young Jewish woman often died before or soon after giving birth. Yet fifteen year-old Esther and her infant daughter Roseanna survived and made an astounding journey—one that spanned thousands of miles and a vast social gulf. …
Australians can be an ingenious bunch. Here are some of the best inventions to have come out of the nation. Black box flight recorder: This has helped make commercial air travel the world’s safest form of travel. It was invented by Australian scientist Dr David Warren, who lost his own father to an aircraft tragedy in…
Photo Album: “Cupid Camouflaged”, a Red Cross Silent Film This photograph album of stills is from the Australian silent film ‘Cupid Camouflaged’. The film was commissioned by Dame Eadith Walker of Yaralla to raise funds for the Red Cross. This album may be one of the 27 souvenir books auctioned for a total of 201…
On 21 July 1898 Sydney celebrated as Mayor Alderman Mathew Harris officially opened the Queen Victoria Markets Building. The Lady Mayoress, with a commemorative solid gold key, opened the druitt Street entrance. That evening the Town Hall was transformed for the 1400 guests at a ball celebratig the opening of these markets. Designed by George…
Commode A commode is often assumed to be a euphemism for a toilet. Originally it referred to a chest of drawers or cabinet used for storing personal items. The name derives from the French word meaning convenience or suitable. French furniture makers in the 18th Century fashioned highly decorated cabinets topped with marble. These were…
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