Random Aussie history mystery #1953……..was the Woomera blast really to blame for the missing 367 pigeons? Was there really only four escapees? “Scientists will not allow the Woomera atom blast to be blamed……..” source: source: TROVE/NLA/Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 – 1954), Saturday 7 November 1953, page 1 Advertisements
With over two decades of experience in researching family history records I really should have seen it coming: ‘Colonial Maul’ as a death cause for my ancestor’s brother instead should have read ‘Colonel Maule’, and it was actually the name of a ship. It had started off as a really exciting day to finally find a reference to James Brabner, the missing … More Mauled English: the fate of James Brabner
A grassy single plot within the Ballarat Old Cemetery hides the heartbreak of an immigrant family who fled political unrest in England to seek a new start in colonial Australia, the proposed new land of opportunity, health and wealth. No gravestone exists in this country cemetery in Victoria’s west to count the mounting death toll as Suffolk-born Robert Francis Booley (1829-1875) … More A Grave Matter: Booley family plot at Ballarat’s Old Cemetery
There is growing accord among the historians at least that our mystery 1938 Ballarat ‘Bell School’ photo is instead the every well known ‘Bell School’ in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Preston. In the absence of any evidence that a Bell School ever operated at Ballarat, I have to agree with one experienced historian who says I have … More Mystery Ballarat School unravelled as Preston Bell School #4309
In 1925 a grieving widow donated art works to Victorian galleries in the hope her late husband would not be forgotten, and though that’s pretty much what happened Warrnambool however, has a special way of remembering talented Australian Impressionist Tom Humphrey (1858-1922). Warrnambool’s Art Gallery (WAG) is set to rehang Humphrey’s formative work The Way To School’ … More Way To Go! Art Remembering: Warrnambool Impressions of Tom Humphrey
Watching the replica tall-ship Enterprize tack its way today out of Warrnambool’s Lady Bay is a stark reminder of the dangerous conditions Europeans experienced voyaging aboard small-ton vessels bound for Victoria’s coast. There seemed a fair swell up though the Enterprize left Lady Bay in what is relatively calm conditions for this stretch of the coast, … More Enterprizing replica-ship at Warrnambool
On the eve of Australia’s military engagement at Gallipoli during World War One a stowaway soldier was found on board a troopship bound for the war front at the Turkish-controlled Dardanelles. In the grey dawn of 13th April 1915 as the 5,807 ton twin-screw HMAT SEANG CHOON (HMAT A49) steamed away from Alexandria on Egypt’s coast, … More Headlong into War: A Stowaway Soldier
Over the last four days Camperdown in Victoria’s south-west has been packed with visitors streaming in for some retro-fun, proving its Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Weekend a draw-card festival event. Think 50’s pin-up girls, burlesque and rock ‘n roll shaking off winters’ blue in an colourful October-fest! Its a perfect and somewhat rollicking introduction to summer in … More ‘Camperdown Cruise’ Rockabilly Weekend Delight
A ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ is just one of the few mementos John Thomas Chettle’s family have as a keepsake of their Australian soldier who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign during World War 1. Like some 8,709 other Australian soldiers Private Chettle never made it home. Melbourne realtor Mark Wood said his grandmother … More They were only boys: WW1 Private Thomas Chettle 3rd Rfts 14th Battalion
A postcard written by Private James Booley in August 1915 from the Dardanelles was sent to reassure his sister back home that he was okay, but instead it ended up being this Gallipoli soldier’s final farewell. The quaint little ‘Deakin English Canned Fruits’ postcard contains no details of battle because James’ little sister Jean … More Gallipoli soldier’s final postcard home
