I am still tripping through Queensland, and had planned a more in-depth post for today – in fact, I’d started working on it before I left Canberra on 31 August – but my energy levels have been sapped by having had COVID for the last week, not to mention by our busy touring schedule. Rather than publish that post half-baked, I am saving it. Maybe next week!
Instead, I’m sharing a little sign on a library board at the Longreach School of Distance Education. This school was formerly called School of the Air, of which there were several around Australia (five in Queensland). These schools, which started operating in 1951, originally delivered education to children on remote properties via radio. Over the years, the delivery technologies changed, but it has only been since 2016 that the school turned to presenting online classes. A big change from their more paper-with-teacher-support based programs. I’m not sure when the name changed, but in Longreach, and presumably elsewhere, it is now called a School of Distance Education.
We did a little tour of the School, and in the library we came across a decorated quote on the library wall. It’s about reading, so this is my little post for today.
This quote is not Australian, and has been around for a century, so it is probably known to many of you. However, if you don’t know its origins, this is apparently it (from Quote Investigator, a site I hadn’t come across before):
“The earliest evidence appeared in 1926 in an intriguing report published in a journal called “The Library” from the Newark Public Library in New Jersey. The head of the library had received a collection of 43 slogans constructed by students, and that set included the statement under investigation. The creator of the slogan was a student named W. Fusselman.”
It’s worth reading the full Quote Investigator article, because it provides verification for its information, and a few other quotes. It also discusses an incorrect attribution to someone called Margaret Fuller. (Of course the School had done the job for me. They have credited Fusselman as the author.)
I do like that this quote came from a student.
Anyhow, this is your lot for this week’s Monday Musings. I hope to resume more usual posts next week.
Whispering Gums 
To-day a Reader – To-morrow a Leader. If only…
To-day a Reader (of History)! To-morrow a Leader (of Wisdom)!
I’ve had Covid, too – a few days after arriving back in Sydney via Air India – ex-Delhi! Nothing like the razor-blade throat version I had last year in January. Anti-virals clearing up both almost from the first taking of the medication. At least I was at home – and my wife did not get it as a result of my symptoms!
Just now reading William Dalrymple’s outstanding “The Golden Road” – published two+ weeks ago. India at the centre of the ancient world – Buddhism, Hinduism – religious thought, mathematics, trade – you name it! Not in central northern Queensland though…
Nice to hear from you Jim. We didn’t do the antivirals as we were in remote Queensland on a weekend and on a tour. Accessing such help was nigh impossible so we went the whole hog.
Anyhow if only too!
That book sounds excellent.
Glad you’re enjoying your Queensland adventure. Had a friend once who had spent her early married life
Thanks Sara … I was born in country QLD and spent the first 14 years of my life here (the middle 6 years in Brisbane, the rest in the country), so it’s been a wonderful trip. Did your friend enjoy her time?
Hi Sue, sorry to hear you had Covid, but still enjoying your trip. Just to add to your quote with a similar one: “Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte.
Thanks Meg … it’s a bummer but this is life isn’t it. Thanks for sharing your quote. Napoleon, eh? Love it.
Hi Sue, sorry to hear that you had Covid, but still enjoying your trip to North Queensland. And to add to your quote, I have a similar one: “Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
I’m sorry to hear your not well. I’m sure you are vaccinated to the limit and thus we should all wish you a speedy recovery and not be worried?
Yes, Melanie we are vaccinated ahead of schedule so hoped we’d be ok … don’t be worried. It’s been more irritatingly uncomfortable but not concerning! Thanks for your thoughts though.
Good, good, okay. Glad to hear this.
Take care. I hope that you feel better soon and can still enjoy your trip. How far north are you heading?
Thanks Jennifer. On the mend now… We are now in Brisbane until Sunday but our most northern place was Thornton Beach about 100 kms or so north of Cairns. Then when we moved inland our most northern spot was Karumba on the Gulf (which latitude wise is just south of Cairns I think.) Fascinating Place.