I have delved before into Australian explorer's journals when researching posts, but I must admit that I've never read one right through. However, I don't think that prevents my sharing some of the things they have to offer ... Project Gutenberg Australia (PGA), which I've described before, is a rich resource of a wide variety of copyright-free works, including, not surprisingly, Australiana. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Explorer’s journals (1, Edward John Eyre)
Monday musings
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
Last week I wrote my fifth "Let's get physical" post, and chose Adelaide because visiting there was bookending our trip last week to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. You'll understand, therefore, why I've chosen the subject I have for this week! Lake Eyre was named for explorer Edward John Eyre, the first European to see it in 1840, but in 2012 its official name … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Adelaide
This will be the fifth in my occasional "Let's get physical" series, and I've chosen Adelaide because this week I'm spending a few days in this city, the state capital of South Australia, bookending a trip to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Adelaide, which was proclaimed as a British colony in 1836, is located in the country of the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Adelaide
Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Another treasure from Trove! Just over 50 years ago, on 1 January, 1965, an article appeared in a journal titled The Good Neighbour, which was published from 1950 to 1969 by the then Department of Immigration. The article is called "Ideal books for newcomers" and opens with: Following Mary Durack's articles on "The Old Australia" which appeared … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ideal books for newcomers, 1965-style
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Three weeks ago, I published a post on the first decade of the Miles Franklin Award. That seemed to interest some of my readers, so I'm back again with the next decade. I hope it's equally interesting. Again, I won't be describing all the decade's winners. You can check the Award's official site to see a complete list of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the second decade (1968-1977)
Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
OK folks, today I'm begging your indulgence to let me stray from the "proper" theme of my Monday Musings series. In other words, I'm not going to talk - except for a minor digression - about Australian literature. But, I am going to talk about Australians talking about literature. Bemused? I'll explain. This last weekend in Canberra … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: JAFA, an indulgence
Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the first decade (1958-1967)
This month we expect to see the announcement of the Miles Franklin Award longlist. While it's no longer Australia's richest literary prize, it is still the best-known and, if you can measure such things, our most prestigious. It is managed by a Trustee using the estate left for that purpose by author Miles Franklin. It was first awarded … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Miles Franklin Award, the first decade (1958-1967)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Some ad hoc awards
Okay, folks, so it's Easter Monday here in Australia, and a public holiday. We have had family - from Melbourne and Hobart - up our way for the long weekend and so I've not had a lot of time to think about my Monday Musings post. However, a couple of recent literary awards have come … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Some ad hoc awards
Monday musings on Australian literature: World Poetry Day
Well, folks, Trove has let me down, which is a very rare occurrence when I'm doing historical research. I looked for the phrase "world poetry day" and I looked for all the words "world", "poetry" and "day", but nothing apparently relevant appeared. Hmmm, because ... Interestingly, a Google search did retrieve a photograph on flickr of a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: World Poetry Day
Monday musings on Australian literature: Save Trove
I don't make a practice of discussing politics in my blog, though regular readers are sure to have picked up my pro-social-justice values (which is why I love writers like, say, Thea Astley). My reason for being politics-lite here is that politics is a divisive game, and my aim here is to be inclusive. However, I do want … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Save Trove
Whispering Gums 