The Voice

Everyone is talking about The Voice at the moment. I have enjoyed every minute of the show and am amazed at the range of singing talent in this country. The coaches are fantastic and a great balance of personalities who are very respectful to all the contestants.
It is so entertaining to see Keith, Delta, Joel and Seal hear a singer who resonates with them and they start to sing along or start dancing along to the song.
I can't wait to see what happens once the blind auditions are done.

If you are a fan of any of the coaches have a listen to the following CDs which are free to borrow from Hurstville City Library and Penshurst Branch Library.

Keith Urban - Greatest Hits; Be Here

Delta Goodrem - 3 free downloads a week from Freegal via the library website select elibrary

Joel Madden (Good Charlotte) - Cardiology

Seal - Seal 6: Commitment; Soul

Should Simpson be Awarded a V.C. Posthumously? Find out more with ANZ Reference Centre Database

Most Australians know of the iconic ANZAC story of 'Simpson and his donkey'. John Simpson Kirkpatrick was 22 years old when he landed at ANZAC Cove on the 25th April, 1915. Simpson, a stretcher bearer, used a donkey to transport over 300 wounded soldiers from the battlefield at Gallipoli Heights down to the beach for evacuation. Just over three weeks later, Simpson was killed by a shrapnel wound to his heart.

Simpson's donkey was awarded a Purple Cross - the highest award for an animal, but ironically, Simpson was not awarded a Victoria Cross posthumously for his bravery. Simpson has for a long time been a central figure in the ANZC legend and controversy now rages over whether Simpson should be awarded a V.C. posthumously. Find out more about this controversy with the ANZ Reference Centre (Ebsco) Database. Rayyan.

Was the Titanic doomed to sink? Find out more with Gale History Resource Centre Database.

This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The Titanic sank at 2.20 a.m. on the 15th April, 2012. 1,514 of the 2,22o passengers perished in the early hours of the morning.

Recent research indicates that even if the 'unsinkable' Titanic had not struck an iceberg on that fateful morning, it still would have been doomed to sink. Experts studying previously undiscovered portions of the keel found structural flaws, which they concluded would have made the Titanic vulnerable in the event of rough seas.

Want to find out more? Log into the History Resource Centre Database (Gale) from home or in the library, by using the barcode number of your library card. Rayyan.

Source Citation:

"Not unsinkable." History Today 57.8 (2007): 8. Gale World History In Context. Web. 19 Apr. 2012.

Creative Workshops for Young People

Want to explore your creative side? Hurstville City Museum & Gallery is running a series of creative workshops for young people aged 12 – 18 years.

Upcoming topics include:

Saturday 21 April
1.30pm – 3.30pm
Painting with Watercolours
Enhance your painting repertoire with a session focusing on watercolours.

Saturday 19 May
1.30pm – 3.30pm
Self Portraits in Charcoal
Look at the fine art of drawing the human face, and create a portrait of yourself in charcoal and pastels.
NB: Each participant should bring a photograph of themself to work from.

Saturday 16 June
1.30pm – 3.30pm
Silk Painting Basics
Create your own design and learn how to paint it onto a silk scarf using silk paint and gutta.

Each workshop explores the basics of a new medium or artistic practice with qualified tutors, and materials are provided (unless otherwise stated). Participants will learn new skills and techniques and create their own original artwork to take home.

Workshops are $10 per person per workshop and bookings are essential. For more information and booking details, visit our website or contact the Museum & Gallery on 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au.

Tell us what kinds of art and craft activities YOU'D like to see at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. Post your responses here!

We will remember

Anzac Day April 25

Come into Hurstville City Library and browse our display of Fiction books.

The stories are based around the times of World Wars. How people survived, lived their lives and the changes they coped with.

It is looking at Anzac Day from a different angle.

The Book Display will begin on Friday evening, April 20.

Annie Murray

Have you ever read a book that you wished would never end, and when it does you feel like you have lost a good friend? All the days of our lives by Annie Murray is one of these.
This is the final book in a trilogy beginning with A Hopscotch Summer and Soldier Girl.
It's 1946 the war is over and three young women Kate, Em and Molly face a new life. But this brings its own problems.
Katie O'Neill's life is dominated by a temperamental mother in a household of many secrets she doesn't understand. Starved for love she meets up with a charming young man who leaves her with a son to bring up on her own. Spurned by her mother she sets out to start a new life.
Em Brown has spent the war living at home with her parents raising her son born while her husband Norm was away at war. Finally after all the waiting he returns but brings with him a new set of problems.
Molly Fox after a sad and brutal childhood joins the Womens Army during the War and at last finds a place to belong.But when the War is over the women are no longer wanted and Molly finds life bleak and difficult as she seeks a place to call home.
I could not put this book down and am now reading other titles by Annie Murray held at Hurstville City Library.

Research Databases @ Hurstville City Library

As a parent, I can't count the number of times that I have had one of my children informing me (at the very last moment) that they have an assignment due the next day and that they simply have to get to a library straight away. If you are a parent facing this ubiquitous problem, you may be interested to know that Hurstville City Library has free research databases that can be accessed by library members, from the comfort of their own home.

The databases are not just for school students - there is something for everyone. Whether you're fascinated by family history (like me) or concerned with business or health issues - you'll find something to pique your interest when you browse the databases.

To access the databases, go to Hurstville Library's homepage and click on the link Research Databases (listed under the Find Information tab). The databases can be accessed from home or in the library by entering your library card's barcode.

Rayyan.

Byron Bay Bluesfest

The 23rd Byron Bay Bluesfest is on this Easter weekend and there is a great line-up of artists. If you can't get to Byron Bay this weekend or you are just interested in the music and artists performing check out the following.

Cold Chisel: The Best of Cold Chisel; Last Stand; Ringside (DVD)
The John Butler Trio: April Uprising; Grand National Live at Red Rocks (DVD)
Blue King Brown: Worldwize Words
The Pogues: The Very Best of The Pogues
My Morning Jacket: Circuital; Evil Urges; Dark Was the Night; Z
Buddy Guy: Buddy Guy Collected; Living Proof; East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival 2009; 21st Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest 2010
Lucinda Williams: Car Wheels on Gravel Road
Josh Pyke: Only Sparrows
The Audreys: Sometime the Stars

All these titles are free to borrow from Hurstville City Library & Penshurst Branch Library.