Ninth Australian Library History Conference

The Mechanics Institutes of Victoria and Monash University Centre for the Book are proud to announce the Ninth Australian Library History Conference

Mechanics Institutes on Google Maps

Something to while away a few minutes – If you have a copy of Pam baragwanaths book – ‘If The Walls Could Speak’ you can use Google maps to find those obscure Mechanics Institutes, and some of them are even findable by the Street View feature – like the Winslow Hall attached

CELEBRATION OF THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SYDNEY MECHANICS SCHOOL OF ARTS

This year marks the 175th Anniversary of the foundation of the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts. A series of events are panned to celebrate this most significant birthday.

A morning tea at Government House on Wednesday 26 March kicked off celebrations, attended by some 200 hundred members of the School at which Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW, became the Patron of the SMSA.

The next event will be on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th October (on 13 October 1831 Henry Carmichael and the Scottish mechanics arrived in Sydney on the good ship Stirling Castle).

In broad outline, the program will be:

Monday 13th October – commencing at 1.30pm a joyous yet serious celebration of the SMSA and the Broader School of Arts and Mechanics Institute movement in Australia. There will be two sessions of 120 minutes each [broken by afternoon tea] featuring short papers and presentations of say 15 to 20 minutes each. Then at 6.00pm a Reception of drinks and canapés will be held for friends of the SMSA. The reception should conclude by 7.30pm - the remainder of the evening is free.

Tuesday 14th October – a Coach Tour to visit Schools of Arts in the Hunter Valley to the west of Newcastle. Because of the distances involved the bus will leave the SMSA at 8.00am and not return until about 6.30pm.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BURKE AND WILLS

Dave Pheonix is planning on tracing the footsteps of Burke and Wills on their fateful 1860 expedition into the interior of Australia.

Pam Baragwanath reports that Dave Pheonix proved to be a most entertaining and informed speaker. Dave will be writing a book from his experiences, as part of his PHD.

Pam will meet him at the Mia Mia leg of the walk, hopefully with others from Mia Mia MI.

The picture shows Dave at the function at the Athanaeum.

Follow this link to find out more about Dave's adventure.