Seniors Week 2015

Over the last couple of weeks we celebrated Senior’s Week across the Library Museum & Gallery through a range of programs and events. 

We had a wide range of computer classes available  to our seniors ranging from basic computer classes to learning how to use and iPad and even Skype!

On Tuesday 17 March our bus tour took our participants across the vast area of Hurstville and its surrounding suburbs in search of our wonderful historic homes and churches. We even managed to stop in for morning tea at the beautiful Corollary House otherwise known as Gardens on Forest. Where we were treated to a talk and tour of the house and an impromptu sing-a-long. 

Our second stop on the bus tour was at the St Johns Anglican Church on the corner of Forest Road and King Georges Road. With a very interesting presentation and tour  by Minister Bart Vandenhagel. Who informed us that the new and improved steeple had just been installed and they are in the process of installing light. Keep a look out for it when you go past.

On Tuesday 17 March University of the Third Age got people thinking, talking and questioning, and on Wednesday 18 March Our Silver Sneakers group fitness run by BlueFit class got our participants moving through carefully coordinated obstacles.

We had Alzheimer's Australia Memory Van stationed at Penshurst Library on Thursday 19 March, with an informative presentation and discussion where our participants learnt strategies to help with memory and reducing the risk of developing dementia.

On Friday 20 March we had a very busy day, starting of with a hip and groovy jazz set, preformed by the  three cool guys from The Jazz Professionals.

Listen to a short snippet of the tremendous trio.

Followed by a detailed look into the personal stories and artefacts on display at the Remembering them: People of St George & the First World War exhibition with curator Birgit. 

To finish the day off we had a very relaxing Art as therapy class where participants got hands on with creating their own masterpieces.

  

Don't miss out next time on the exciting programs that Hurstville Library Museum & Gallery have to offer, join our online e-Newsletter where you will get a weekly highlight of our upcoming events. Or just keep up-to-date by checking out our What's On page.

Remembering them: People of St George & The First World War

ANZAC DAY TRADITIONS

The landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 founded the events that were to inspire and sustain a potent Anzac legend. We remember this legend each year on Anzac Day, as we did 99 years ago on that first Anzac Day in 1916.

Looking back today, it is hard for us to truly empathise with what the first anniversary of the Anzac landing meant to those soldiers who had served in Gallipoli. Some light can be shed by the first-hand accounts of Australian servicemen who experienced Anzac Day with their comrades.

Memorials in Egypt

Extracts of letters written by the brothers William and George Simms, of Penshurst, paint the scene of Anzac commemorations in Egypt in 1916. Their correspondence was published in the Hurstville Propeller in June of that year. [1] According to the brothers,

‘Anzac Day, the day which needs no explanation as to its meaning and importance’, was marked in Cairo by a memorial service organised by Anzac troops and attended by 1500 persons. The emotion of the day was felt by all present. ‘What an awe-inspiring spectacle it was to witness hardened war-stained warriors and hopeful untested soldiers alike battling with an unconquerable emotion, which spoke of past glories of fallen heroes.’ Hymns were sung and the Last Post sounded ‘amid a death like and saddening stillness. For any soldier who has been in action, or had a dear comrade die, this call has sepulchral significance.’ 

Commemorative services have been held across the world on Anzac Day ever since. Traditionally, they take place at dawn; the time of the original landing in Gallipoli.

Gallipoli, Turkey. 25 April 1923. Buglers sounding the last post as the firing party loads during an Anzac Service at Anzac Cove. Image: AWM H12949. (Donor Miss M. Berkeley).

Anzac Day marches

In Egypt 1916, following the memorial service, the troops marched four miles through Cairo to the Military Cemetery, where floral wreaths were placed on each soldier’s grave to pay tribute to the ‘honoured heroes’. Though their families were far away, their brothers in arms tended to them. ‘The cemetery is splendidly looked after and a headstone marks the place of those who are buried there. These have been erected by their comrades.’

Unidentified Australian soldiers march through the Cairo's city streets on Anzac Day 1916 on their way to do honour to their fallen comrades at Old Cairo Cemetery. 
Image: AWM C00016.

The march in Egypt was but one among many Anzac Day 1916 marches all over the world. In London, over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets. In Sydney, accompanying the marching soldiers were convoys of cars carrying those wounded in Gallipoli. Though they had to be attended by nurses, these soldiers could not be prevented from honouring their fallen mates on this day.

First World War returned soldiers marching through the streets of Sydney during an Anzac Day march, c. 1938. The men hold their hats over their hearts at the Centotaph. 
Image: AWM A03638.

Fun and games

A day of sports and games was also held in the Australian camp in Egypt. Two-up was undoubtedly played, for the game was very popular among the Australian diggers in Gallipoli as they huddled in the trenches.

Spectators enjoy a boxing match between two contestants during the sports carnival that was part of the Anzac Day celebrations at Tel el Kebir camp in 1916. 
Image: AWM C00267.

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The finish of a race at the AIF sports meeting, held at Duntroon Plateau on 
Anzac Day 1916. Image: AWM C04400.

Anzac biscuits

Originally called soldiers’ biscuits, Anzac biscuits were renamed after the Gallipoli landing and were a very popular food to send overseas to the Australian forces.

Try this Anzac biscuit recipe from 1926!

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup melted butter

1 tbls golden syrup

2 tbls boiling water

1 tsp bicarbonate soda (add a little more water if mixture is too dry)

Method:

Combine dry ingredients. Mix golden syrup, boiling water and bicarbonate of soda until they froth. Add melted butter. Combine butter mixture and dry ingredients. Drop teaspoons of mixture onto floured tray, allowing room for spreading. Bake in a slow oven.

Have you made Anzac biscuits at home? Please share your recipes and photos with us and tag us on facebook, twitter and instagram: #HurstvilleFamilyRecipes. 

A stack of ration boxes on the beach at Anzac Cove, 1915, arranged so that they form a shelter for the men responsible for its distribution. Can you see the man standing behind a stack of biscuit crates? Image: AWM C03393.

Do you want to find out more about the Anzacs? Come and visit our exhibition

Remembering them: People of St George & the First World War on show until 31 May 2015.

Follow our Commemorating WW1 and Anzac Day Pinterest board.

---

[1] Hurstville Propeller, 16 June 1916, p. 3.

Top 5 World Movies

Need some inspiration choosing a DVD from our collection? Below are the top 5 most borrowed World Movies from the Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection.

Image credit: http://www.aroyalaffairthemovie.com/assets/downloads/posters/medium/EKAalt-UKartwork.jpg

• A Royal Affair - Based on the book A royal affair by Bodil Steensen-Leth. This is an epic tale of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an entire nation. Winner of the Best Actor and Best Screenplay awards at the Berlin Film Festival.  Danish dialogue with English subtitles. 
• Hannah Arendt - A brilliant biopic of the influential German-Jewish philosopher and political theorist. Arendt's reporting on the 1961 trial of ex-Nazi Adolf Eichmann in The New Yorker, controversial both for her portrayal of Eichmann and the Jewish councils, introduced her now-famous concept of the 'Banality of Evil'. German and English, with English subtitles and SDH.
• The Rocket - A boy who is believed to bring bad luck to everyone around him leads his family and two new friends through Laos to find a new home. After a calamity-filled journey through a land scarred by the legacy of war, to prove he's not bad luck he builds a giant rocket to enter the most exciting and dangerous competition of the year: the Rocket Festival.  English subtitles.
• Mozart’s Sister -  A re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna 'Nannerl' Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right. French with English subtitles.
• Lourdes - "In order to escape her isolation, wheelchair-bound Christine makes a life changing journey to Lourdes, the iconic site of pilgrimage in the Pyrenees Mountains."-- imdb database. French, Austrian and German with English subtitles.

The library has a great selection of World Movies to choose from. Next time you're in the library  why not browse the collection. If you can’t wait to look through the shelves, you can always search our catalogue to see if we have any of your favourite World movie titles.  

Hurstville Family Recipes

Hurstville and its surrounding suburbs are a melting pot of vibrant food and culture.

We asked people from our community to send us recipes of some of their favourite foods that they love to make for family and friends.

Our FIRST Hurstville Family Recipe is from Ying! Who is sharing with all of us a wonderful and Easy Duck recipe. 

This recipe was taught to Ying by her parents and 

"[this dish]reminds me of the lovely festival season, enjoying dinner with my lovely family all together in Chinese with a lot of laughing"

Soy Sauce Duck

Difficulty: Easy        Recipe type: Main Dish

Serves: 8                 Preparation time: 10mins           Cooking time: 60mins           

Ingredients

1 tbsp Honey 

3 pieces Ginger 

5 gm Garlic 

1 tsp Premium dark soy sauce 

1 cup Premium soy sauce 

1/2 cup Cooking wine 

2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar 

2 pieces Dried mandarin peel 

5 gm  Cinnamon sticks 

5 gm Star anise 

30 gm Chinese rock sugar 

1  cup Water 

Special Equipment

Anything that can hold a whole duck on the stove, a wok would be ideal.

Directions

1. Wash and clean the whole duck.
2. Apply honey on the duck’s skin.
3. Put the garlic and ginger into the cavity of the duck.
4. Put all the other ingredients into a cooking wok and put on a low to medium heat on the stove.
5. Put the whole duck into the cooking wok. 
6. After 30 minutes or when the duck has turned a nice golden colour, turn the duck over to cook on the other side.
7. Once the duck has cooked remove it from the wok.
8. Cut the cooked duck into smaller pieces to serve.
9. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables.

Let us know how you go trying this recipe. #HurstvilleFamilyRecipes 

Have a look for #HurstvilleFamilyRecipes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and join our Family Recipes Community and add a snap of your special food.

Do you live, work or play in Hurstville or surrounding suburbs? Are there dishes you make on special occasions?

Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery would like you to share your family’s recipes with the community.

Whatever you cook, sweet or savory, we would love for you to share it with us!

If you would like to participate in this project, please follow the link to our What's On Page for more information.

Images courtesy of Ying.

Sir Terry Pratchett 1948-2015

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that, after September when The Shepherd's Crown is published, we will never see a new Terry Pratchett novel published again. No more will we enjoy the adventures of the various inhabitants of the Discworld; the world resting on the backs of four elephants who in turn are supported by Great A'Tuin, the Star Turtle.

Sir Terry's writing career began in journalism. His first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. But success came following the publication of the first Discworld novel - The Colour of Magic - in 1983 (Sir Terry later described it as "an attempt to do for the classical fantasy universe what Blazing Saddles did for Westerns"). After the publication of the fourth Discworld novel - Mort - Sir Terry quit his position as a press officer to become a full time writer; the sales of his novels in the UK alone were over 2 million copies.  Aside from the Discworld novels he also collaborated with other authors such as Neil Gaiman and Stephen Baxter.

Sir Terry was knighted in 2009 for services to literature after having previously been appointed as Officer of the British Empire in 1998, of which he said "'I suspect the "services to literature" consisted of refraining from trying to write any. Still, I can't help feeling mightily chuffed about it."
In December 2007 he announced that he was suffering from a rare form of Alzheimer's disease. Following the news of his passing last Thursday his daughter Rhianna sent three final tweets from his Twitter account.

"AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.
Terry took Death's arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night.
The End."

Remembering them: People of St George & the First World War

Family keepsakes

Many objects on display in our ‘Remembering them: People of St George& the First World War’ exhibitions are family treasures preciously kept for generations and generously loaned to the Museum & Gallery.

Carmel and Ellis Bollard
Photograph: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery

Oatley residents Carmel and Ellis Bollard presenting here their war memorabilia. Ellis’ father, Raymond Thomas, joined the 13th Battalion, 26th Reinforcement in 1917 and returned to Australia in December 1918. Among the memorabilia are Raymond Thomas’ diary and letters.

Ken Muggleston is preciously keeping his father’s war memorabilia. Here, he is reading from old letters and diaries. Alfred ‘Laurie’ Muggleston was a 29 year old station master of Hurstville when he enlisted in December 1916. He served at the railway station in Proven and Poperinge, near Ypres, France. 

Ken Muggleston
Photograph: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery

Written letters, documents, diaries, photographs, medals and other war related objects have a deep personal significance to many families to remember their ancestors who were involved in the war.

All these objects from the First World War are at least 100 years old! Some of them, especially paper documents and photographs are delicate items and need special care for their preservation.

Here are some quick facts how to handle and store your paper based memorabilia:

• Have clean dry hands when handling your artefacts
• Use both hands when handling your items
• Making copies of your paper documents and photographs limit the need to handle originals
• Store your items in a clean, dry and insect free place. Silver fish love to eat paper!
• Place the items in archival plastic sheets. Food storage bags made of polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene are suitable alternatives.
• Do not store them in direct sunlight or near heaters or fireplaces, where there are rapid changes of temperature. This can cause discolouration and staining of items.
•  Remove rubber bands and metal clips; they can cause damage to paper as they perish and rust over time.

This information is copied from: ‘Memories & Memorabilia. Recognising and Preserving Australia’s War heritage’, written by Dr Richard Reid, Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Dr Gordon Forth, Deakin University; and Sophie Lewincamp, Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, The University of Melbourne; published by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Canberra 2014.

Do you want to find out more about how to care for your wartime memorabilia?

Available online from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ website is a guide to preserving your family's heritage items. View it here.

Interested in more? 

come and visit the exhibition 'Remembering them: People of St George & the First World War' at Hurstville Museum & Gallery until 31 May 2015.