Monday October 9, 2006
Early European observations of Australia's fauna
Frederick McCoy’s Prodromus of the Zoology of Victoria set out to describe the colony’s fauna. Published between 1878 and 1890, it included illustrations and text on 447 individual species. At least 250 more species were printed but never published and a further 500 were drawn.
Drawing on Museum Victoria’s rich archival sources, Caught and Coloured: Zoological Illustrations from Colonial Victoria explores the legacy of this great project.
Original drawings, lithographic proofs and manuscripts bring to life the work of both McCoy and the artists he commissioned.
Friday October 6, 2006
Captain John Hunter RN - his contribution to the early development of Australia and the memorials that honour his life and work
Mosman Council’s General Manager, Mr Viv May PSM, gave the following presentation at a luncheon in the wardroom of HMAS Penguin on Tuesday 29 August 2006 to celebrate Hunter Day, the birthdate of Captain John Hunter. The luncheon was attended by representatives of all the local schools.
Friday May 19, 2006
Explore the Mitchell Library archives from the comfort of home
The Mitchell Library has launched a great new website at www.atmitchell.com
The website is a fantastic resource for students and anyone else who has an interest in Australian history. It’s full of original materials such as personal journals, manuscripts, paintings, photographs and maps.
The site is interactive which means you can actually turn the pages of Joseph Banks Endeavour Journal, watch the flight of Bland’s Atmotic Ship (which was never built), as well as listen to the roar of the crowd at the very first cricket match played in Sydney.
Have a look at atmitchell.com and marvel at the wonders of digital technology and how it has brought to life these musty archives from the State Library.
Saturday November 5, 2005
What was flowering or flying around Mosman in 1789?
Glossy black cockatoo - George Raper
Linda Groom, Pictures Librarian at the National Library of Australia, informs us of a significant new acquisition that relates to Mosman and the Sirius – 56 First Fleet watercolours of birds and flowers.
They are attributed to George Raper, Midshipman of the Sirius, and at least two have been dated to no later than 1789.
“The seasonality of the species depicted, and the date, make it very likely that many of them were painted when the Sirius was careened at Mosman Bay, June to November 1789. That would make them a kind of survey of the species present in Mosman in 1788 or 1789,” says Linda.
Following is the full press release from the National Library:
Wednesday February 23, 2005
HSC Modern History links
These links are good sources of authoritative information on various aspects of the history curriculum.
PictureAustralia also has three photographic trails relating to ‘Military and War’.
Thursday February 10, 2005
Exploring Sydney Harbour
Hurley, Frank, 1885-1962. Mosman Bay. From the National Library of Australia Pictures Catalogue.
Mosman enjoys a beautiful location on the northern shores of Sydney Harbour.
The following tour offers multiple perspectives on the life of this great natural harbour…
Wednesday January 12, 2005
A Cook’s tour of the Pacific
Breadfruit - Possibly by Sydney Parkinson.; Rex Nan Kivell Collection
South Seas is an online information resource for the history of European voyaging and cross-cultural encounters in the Pacific between 1760 and 1800.
The first phase of the South Seas project is focused on James Cook’s voyage of discovery of 1768-1771.
Browse or search original sources in full text with comparative and explanatory links to contemporary documents, images and maps: