Wealth and Poverty both seem to degrade most of us. (p. 249) So says Bohemian Connie Stratton to the hero Ned Hawkins in William Lane's 1892 novel, The workingman's paradise. William Lane, an English-born journalist, union supporter and socialist, wrote under a number of pseudonyms including John Miller, the name he used for this novel … Continue reading William Lane, The workingman’s paradise
Australian literature
Time for another gum
This is, I believe, a Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) though I could also be wrong as I'm very much an amateur when it comes to tree identification. It does look like: they can be found up and down the east coast of New South Wales, of which the Hastings River is part, and they … Continue reading Time for another gum
Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones (Review)
What is is about coming-of-age novels? Why do we like to read them long after we've (hopefully) come of age ourselves? Is it because we like to compare our own experience with that of others? Whatever the reason, it is clear that we do like to read them because they sure keep being written and … Continue reading Craig Silvey, Jasper Jones (Review)
Kendall’s favourite son
...is the Australian poet, Henry Kendall. Except, he's not REALLY a son - he was not born there, and he only lived there for 6 years, from 1875 to 1881, when he was New South Wales' first Forest Inspector. But, you know the story, when you are on a good thing...! And, anyhow, as a … Continue reading Kendall’s favourite son
Thinking of peace in 1941
Oh the benefits (and sadness) of hindsight! This week, during my reading of the 1941 issues of The ABC Weekly, I came across a few references to peace and the need to plan for it. Oh dear! It's probably just as well they didn't know how much longer they had to go. Anyhow, one of … Continue reading Thinking of peace in 1941
A.B. (Banjo, to most of us) Paterson
Within the next few weeks I will be reviewing the Australian Classic Library's re-release of Paterson's The man from Snowy River and other verses, so this post is just a teaser. It was inspired by a column in The ABC Weekly (of 22 February 1941). Paterson died on 5 February 1941 - and less than three … Continue reading A.B. (Banjo, to most of us) Paterson
Australian Battle Cry, circa 1941
Somehow I would not have thought of socialism and patriotism being combined in the same person but, logically I suppose, there's no real reason why they shouldn't be. And it does appear they were combined in Dame Mary Gilmore, a famous Australian poet and journalist who was also well-known as a socialist. How do I know? Well, today … Continue reading Australian Battle Cry, circa 1941
Poet’s advice to Australian writers, 1940
In 1940, Ernest G Moll's poetry collection, Cut from mulga, was chosen by the Commonwealth Literary Committee as the book of the year. In that same year, in a talk on the ABC, he exhorted Australian writers to stop being apologetic about being Australian. So, who was Ernest G Moll? He was born in Victoria … Continue reading Poet’s advice to Australian writers, 1940
Australian Classics Library
Am I the last to know? I have just discovered that Sydney University Press is publishing a new set of Australian Classics, using a grant from the CAL Cultural Fund. Each title has a newly written critical introduction and, in a nice bit of collaboration, some biographical and bibliographical information from AustLit. The titles - … Continue reading Australian Classics Library
Kath Walker aka Oodgeroo Noonuccal
I fell in love with Kath Walker, as she was known then, in my teens and bought her book of poems, My people. I loved her passion for her people and the intensity but accessibility of her poems. Every now and then I look at them again. Today, however, my mum gave me a dear … Continue reading Kath Walker aka Oodgeroo Noonuccal
Whispering Gums 