New Purchase: The Germans in Western Australia

Mary Mennicken-Coley's The Germans in Western Australia (1993) looks at the German presence, immigration and influence in arts, botany, commerce and farming, as well as the situation during the two World Wars in Western Australia. The book spans from 1833 to 1990s. Mid West locals may be interested in the chapters about von Bibra, Dirk Hartog Island, Port Denison and Tardun. A lot of information about other WA German families and places are to be found alongside with photographs, immigration records and community information.  

The book is not for loan, but can be read at the Library. 

Family History Workshop TODAY!

Don't forget the family history workshop today at 5.30-7.30.

This time we will be discussing resources found in the internet: where, what and what not to do.

Also,  the Discover Heritage Services tour will start at 10 am this morning. Find out what is available at your local Library.

Everyone welcome!

Oral History Morning - Rose Croasdale

Please join us for another interesting Oral History Morning, and learn something new about the past.

Last month Ernie Cripps kept us entertained with his account on farming life in the region.

Ernie Cripps last month.

On 18 April at 10am we can hear Rose Croasdale's story.

Rose Croasdale was born in the timber town of Mornington Mill in 1924. The story of Rose’s early life is the story of the Depression. In her father’s quest for work the family moved from Mornington Mill to Geraldton, Perenjori, Rothsay, Fields Find and Mt Magnet.

Rose had a succession of jobs in Mt Magnet, Geraldton and Perth. After World War II Rose Thomas married Jim Croasdale, who was to spend 30 years working for the W.A.G.R. After living in one of the railway houses (since demolished) in Chapman Road, they took up a farmlet at Yetna. During weekends and holidays they established a Conditional Purchase block near Yuna.

Australian Heritage Week at Geraldton Regional Library

The whole nation will be celebrating their heritage from 14 - 22 April.

Heritage Services section at Geraldton Regional Library will be offering the following special programs:

Tue 17 Apr

• Discover Heritage Services tour at 10am - find out more about the resources in Heritage Services!
• Family History Research Workshop at 5.30pm - Internet research: what is available online, where do I look, what are the pitfalls? Bookings necessary: 9956 6653.

Wed 18 Apr

• Oral History Morning at 10am - Live interview with Rose Croasdale after a morning tea.
• ABC Open/Now and Then project 2-4pm - ABC Open's Chris Lewis will present a continous loop of local stories, film footage, photographs and advise on the possibilities new technology offers to bring heritage alive.
• Discover Heritage Services tour at 3pm - find out more about the resources in Heritage Services!

A new display of Old School Memories will be available for viewing next to the Heritage Services area for the whole week.

Welcome!

March Oral History Morning - Ernest Cripps

This month's Oral History Morning will be held in

the Geraldton Regional Library on Wednesday 21 March at 10 am.

The guest interviewee is Ernest (Ernie) Cripps.

Ernie grew up on Mumby Farm, north of Northampton. He was a

member of a large family and his early education took place at

home under the Assisted Teacher Scheme. He then attended St

Patrick’s College.

In 1942 his class was evacuated to Tardun Agricultural School.

Back on Mumby, Ernie was engaged in the wide range of farming

activities. He later established, with his wife Barbara, Barellan

Farm in the Ogilvie district. Their son, Bradley now runs Barellan.

Two other sons, Terry and Michael run Wepowie Farm and Gabyon Station.

****

Before we start with the Oral History Morning, City Librarian Susan Smith  will briefly talk about one of the 2012 Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival guests, Ian Parkes. Ian Parkes describes his early life spent working on sheep and cattle stations in the Murchison District as well as Mt Augustus in his forthcoming memoir – A Youth Not Wasted.

Find out more at:

http://library.cgg.wa.gov.au/2012/big-sky-readers-and-writers-festival-2012/

Book launch success

It has been a busy time in Heritage Services, both behind the scenes and 'out there'. Geraldton's Wildflower - The Wax was successfully launched. Everybody enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, delicious nibbles and drinks and good company. The booklets are for sale at Geraldton Regional Library for $9.95. While you're at the Library, remember to check out the display of Geraldton Wax-inspired art and artefacts near the Heritage Services, courtesy of Gary Martin and Leon Baker Jewellers (charm).

Author Gary Martin.

Our special guest and botanist, Dr Neville Marchant, who officially launched the booklet.

Artist and curator Marina Baker, who launched the Big Skier, Small Works after-catalogue.

The day before we kick-started the new Oral History Morning year with Ross Viner and morning tea.

Ross Viner.

Oral History Mornings continue every third Wednesday of the month at 10am. Please call the Library at 9956 6659 and ask to be added to the mailing list.

Book launch

Geraldton Regional Library is pleased to announce the launch of the ninth booklet in the Mid West Heritage Series.

Geraldton's Wildflower - the Wax by local historian Gary Martin, is going to be officially launched by a well-known botanist, Dr Neville Marchant on Thu 16 February at 5.30pm at the Geraldton Regional Library.

Coinciding with the launch is the launch of Big Skies Small Works 'after-catalogue' by curator Marina Baker.

RSVP by Mon 13 February (Ph. 9956 6659 or library@cgg.wa.gov.au) 

Interview with Ross Viner to start 2012 Oral History Mornings

The 2012 Oral History Mornings will commence with an interview with Ross Viner.

Ross is a retired businessman and a well-known sporting identity.

Ross Viner grew up in Perth and became a Bank Officer with the Commonwealth Bank in 1947. Five years later he was transferred to Geraldton. In 1957 he left the Bank to work in an accountancy firm before moving into Real Estate. In 1980 he established his own business, Champion Bay Settlements.

Ross Viner has had a lifelong involvement with sport and he has made a tremendous contribution to the sporting world of Geraldton. For 30 years he was a sports commentator and race caller. He initiated the Rovers Hockey Club, the Sportsman of the Year Award and the annual Country Week Golf, all of which are still going strong.

This Oral History Morning will be held in

Geraldton Regional Library on

Wednesday 15th February at 10 am.

2012 WA Heritage Awards

Please be advised that nominations for the 2012 WA Heritage Awards are now open.

The WA Heritage Awards are an opportunity to honour the State’s leading contributors in heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, interpretation, tourism and promotion.  Now in its 20^th year, the awards also acknowledge the contribution of the many volunteers and professionals in the heritage arena.

For the first time, the WA Heritage Awards will team with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Asia Pacific Awards, renowned as the region’s premium cultural heritage awards.  As a result, this year winners and high commendation recipients in the conservation and adaptive reuse categories will be shortlisted for nomination to UNESCO, the Heritage Council endorsement and agreement of the project owners.

The 2012 WA Heritage Award winners will be announced on 17 April at an event to be held at Government House Ballroom in the presence of His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker, AC CVO QC.  This date will coincide with Australian Heritage Week celebrations.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 2 March 2012. 

For more information visit http://www.heritage.wa.gov.au/

Family History Workshop success

20 or so family history enthusiasts attended the Family History Workshop for beginners last night. It was a fantastic opportunity to receive advice, share knowledge and learn something new. Notices for future Family History Workshops will be placed in this blog, on the Geraldton Regional Library website (http://library.cgg.wa.gov.au/) and in the Library Newsletter.

Workshop in progress.

Family History Specialist Liz Kelly

Geraldton on film - then and now

ABC Open's Chris Lewis and Ian Clinch have made this beautiful short film combining modern footage with the super 8 footage of Geraldton that Ian had shot in the 60s and 70s.  
Have a look at how things have changed and learn more at:

http://vimeo.com/34534252

The HMAS Moresby

The above photo is of the hydrographic survey ship HMAS Moresby which visited Geraldton in 1985/86.  The photo is one of several photos which we have in the Local Studies photo collection. 

Back on deck!

The Heritage Services staff are all back on deck after a lovely break over Christmas and New Year.

2012 will see more historical photographs catalogued and digitised; oral history cassettes digitised and interviews transcribed; new exciting purchases and donations to the Local Studies Collection; general preservation and organisation of the Collection as well as the familiar monthly Oral History Mornings resuming next month.

The Heritage Services staff are able to assist you with your queries on Mondays 1-5pm and Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm. When no staff member is available, please feel free to fill out a query form at the front desk and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please don't forget the Family History Workshop on the 17th. Remember to reserve a place, so that you won't miss out. It is a great opportunity to receive advice, meet people with similar interests and find out about different resources that will help you along in your research.  

Family History Research Workshop for beginners in January

Geraldton Regional Library's Heritage Services section is organising a Family History Workshop for beginners on Tuesday 17 January at 5.30-7.30.

The Workshop is free of charge, but please book at front desk, as we can only accommodate limited numbers.

Bring along your family research and tricky questions to receive helpful tips and professional advice.

In the workshop you'll learn:

- Where to start

- Where to find records

- What you are looking at

Welcome!

More WA newspapers available in Trove

The National Library of Australia has kept busy digitising newspapers, and a larger amount is now available in Trove: http://trove.nla.gov.au/

Click on 'Digitised Newspapers and More' to be able to conduct a keyword search or an advanced search. Trove is a free database containing a huge amount of digitised archival information in various formats.

For the Mid West researchers the following papers are now available online:

Geraldton Guardian 1906-1928, 1948-1950. Geraldton Guardian and Express 1929-1947, Inquirer 1840-1855 and The Inquirer and Commercial News 1855-1901.

 

Another Recipe from the Geraldton Branch of the Country Women's Association (CWA) "My Favourite Recipe" Booklet published in 1964

A bit of a  favourite in Australia is the Pavlova - particularly at Christmas.   Our CWA cookbook has a lovely recipe for Pavlova Cake which I have reproduced below:

PAVLOVA CAKE

Ingredients:   Four egg whites; 8 oz castor sugar; 1 dessertspoon cornflour; 2 teaspoons vinegar.

Filling:  Cream; mixed fresh fruit; tinned fruit; nuts.

Beat egg whites until stiff, then continue beating, adding sugar gradually.  Gently fold in cornflour, then vinegar.  Cook ina slow oven (250 degrees) for 1 1/4 hours.  Leave till quite cold, then turn onto a plate upside down.

Fill with fresh or tinned fruit then cream, and sprinkle with nuts if desired.

To make removal from pan easier, use bottom of sponge tin (turned upside down) and wrapped round with paper to stand up about 2 inches.  Line bottom with paper and grease well, then dust with cornflour.  Alternatively use aluminium foil shaped up at sides, greased and dusted with cornflour. 

This recipe is courtesy of Mrs E Doye.

Enjoy!

Call for titles

Mid West Heritage Series is a Geraldton Regional Library’s publishing project that explores the history and heritage of the Mid West region. So far, eight booklets have been published in the series: Geraldine Mine, Food and Cookery, Rock Lobster Fishing the Batavia Coast, Railways of the Mid West, Cemeteries of Geraldton-Greenough, The Batavia Saga and the Courageous Wiebbe Hayes, Point Moore Lighthouse and HMAS Sydney (II) Is Found. The ninth booklet in the series, Geraldton Wax, will be published in early 2012.

We are now extending the call for new titles to the wider community. We are looking for topics that fill in existing gaps in the information available to both residents and visitors to the region, that promote the region’s history and heritage and that can be covered in a concise, informative and intriguing manner.

Please send your suggestions for new titles to:

Heritage Services Librarian

Geraldton Regional Library

PO Box 101

Geraldton

WA 6531

 

email: sannan@cgg.wa.gov.au or call 9956 6655.

"My Favourite Recipe"

The Local Studies Collection has many treasures including the Geraldton Branch of the Country Women's Association "My Favourite Recipe" booklet.  This booklet contains a collection of recipes supplied by Geraldton Branch Members and was published in April 1964. 

I would like to share some of those recipes with you:

CHINESE CHEWS

Ingredients are:

1 cup of plain flour; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup chopped dates; 2 eggs (or 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of golden syrup); 1/2 cup self raising flour; 1/4 lb margarine; half cup chopped walnuts.

Melt margarine (add syrup if using this ingredient); beat egg, add other ingredients.

Place in flat tin and bake 15 to 20 minutes in a moderate oven. Cut into fingers when cold.

As a variation, instead of dates and nuts add 1 cup chopped raisins or 2 tablespoons preserved ginger or 2 tablespoons of cocoa. 

This recipe comes courtesy of Mrs I Gray.

I will publish another recipe from this booklet in the near future. 

Happy Birthday!

Today the Library is celebrating its very first birthday in the new location on Marine Terrace! Come in and join the celebrations. You can pick up a wrapped birthday surprise book to borrow or enter a draw to win books.

Thanks to ABC Open, you can view and listen to the journey from Cathedral Avenue to Marine Terrace at:
http://vimeo.com/32774287

National Year of Reading 2012

"Those who say 'you only live once' have never read a book."
- John Hughes

2012 is the National Year of Reading:

"The National Year of Reading 2012 is about children learning to read and keen readers finding new sources of inspiration. It’s about supporting reading initiatives while respecting the oral tradition of storytelling. It’s about helping people discover and rediscover the magic of books. And most of all, it’s about Australians becoming a nation of readers.

Nearly half our population can’t read with any fluency. It’s a shameful and worrying statistic. We have identified four goals which will help us to turn Australia into a nation of readers and encourage a reading culture in every home. Next year will see a whole heap of amazing, fun, reading activities taking place around Australia and online, so people of all ages, from different backgrounds, can discover and rediscover the joy of reading."

Find out more at:

http://www.love2read.org.au/index.cfm

Our Story is part of the National Year of Reading. You can vote online for one of the eight books that best reflects what WA is all about at:

http://www.abc.net.au/arts/yearofreading/

or you can pop in at the Geraldton Regional Library and cast a paper vote.

Geraldton Regional Library will be promoting reading as part of the National Year of Reading program. As John Hughes, one of the Friends of the National Year of Reading says:

"Those who say ‘you only live once’, have never read a book. Reading is the only way you can be someone else while remaining yourself. No one can do this unaided, purely by imagination. But when the words are in your head, then the imagination can take you anywhere. That’s why I support the National Year of Reading. Because no other activity can transport you in this way, because nothing else sparks the imagination like a word."

Why not give reading a go, discover something new and get inspired? The Library has a huge collection, including the Local Studies Collection. If we haven't got an item you want to borrow in stock, we may be able to get it for you through our Inter Library Loan system.

Those who already read a lot, why not try something new? I have decided to expand my views and read some crime, romance and maybe westerns next year - at least one book of each genre!