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

Homefront support: Hurstville's carnivals and sport demonstrations

Soon after the war broke out in 1914, music and theatre events, carnivals and sport demonstrations were regularly held in the local area to raise funds to support the nation during the war.

The carnival programs, many of them held at Hurstville Oval, would include games such as egg and spoon races, handicap wood chopping and greased pig chasing.

In November 1914, a ‘sports demonstration’ involving athletic events, processions and displays by school children and military units was staged at Hurstville Oval for the benefit of the Patriotic
Fund. The fund had been founded by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Alderman P.W. Richards, to support the families of the Australian military personnel.

The Hurstville Propeller reported on 4 December 1914, p. 2:

"Saturday last was a gala day in Hurstville, when the sports demonstration arranged by the combined lodges and the citizen committee took place."

Hurstville Propeller, 4.12.1914, p.2.
Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection. 

Patriotic sports, Hurstville Oval, November 1914.
Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection. 

School children's display, Hurstville Oval, November 1914.
Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection.

Another carnival was held at Hurstville Oval on 20 April 1918, in aid of the local War Relief Fund, "to gather funds to disburse among local soldiers or their dependants who may be in need" (Hurstville Propeller, 12 April 1018, p. 2). Despite heavy rain, around 5000 to 6000 people enjoyed the event. Only the night program was cancelled due to the bad weather (St George Call, 27 April 1918, p. 6).

Hurstville Propeller, 19 April 1918, p. 2.
Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection.

Do you want to find out more about Hurstville's homefront support? 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.

Boy bands!

Are One Directon bigger than 5 Seconds of Summer?

According to these pictures, 1D have more members and double exposure.

So, well, yeah! But if you disagree, check out these DVD biographies!

Click here to view Up Close and Personal / 5SOS

Click here to view All for One: The Unauthorised Biography from X Factor / One Direction

The Art of Asking (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help) by Amanda Palmer

"From what I've seen, it isn't so much the act of asking that paralyzes us--it's what lies beneath: the fear of being vulnerable, the fear of rejection, the fear of looking needy or weak. The fear of being seen as a burdensome member of the community instead of a productive one." - The Art of Asking, Amanda Palmer

Half autobiography, half self-help book, The Art of Asking takes you on a journey through the ups and downs of Amanda Palmer’s life and how she learned that both asking and accepting offers for help is ok!

If you’ve never heard of Amanda Palmer, or are a diehard fan of her music – it doesn’t really matter. This book is very honest and explores the ongoing relationship of trust that Amanda Palmer has with the world. I loved reading the ‘rockstar’ stories of her life as a living statue and couchsurfing as she played gigs across the world, alongside her personal battles like dealing with a friends illness and falling in love with someone unexpected (in this case, writer Neil Gaiman). 

I put the book down thinking that maybe she is right about some things – maybe we should all “take the flower” when it’s offered and trust in people just a little bit more.

 - Beth

A book review from our teen fiction collection

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Park is a quiet boy who loathes attention. Eleanor is a big, red-headed new girl whose gawkiness and style makes her stand out like a sore thumb. On Eleanor's first day, Park hesitantly invites her to sit next to him on the crowded bus and the pair share awkward trips to and from school, until they begin to realise they amicably share similar tastes in comic books and music. As time passes they both fall into a flurry of first love and nothing is ever the same.

I owned this book for a year before I decided to read it and I can't believe that I waited so long! Rainbow Rowell never fails to produce an amazing story and Eleanor and Park is no exception. I can see myself re-reading it in the future because the story was so captivating and I'm so fond of the characters.

It's easy to identify with the characters in this book. Park is an introvert who finds that the best way to deal with his teenage angst is to listen to music and keep to himself. Eleanor wants to be an individual, to stand out from the rest, and she expresses this through an outrageous style of fashion. If you read this book, not only will you fall in love with the story, but you will fall in love with the characters too.

This is a story that has won over my heart and I won't ever forget it. It's beautiful and it perfectly depicts the awkwardness and clumsiness of falling in love for the first time. Although this is categorised as a teen fiction/young adult novel, I believe know that this is a book that can also be enjoyed by adults.

Eleanor and Park is available for loan at Hurstville City Library. Don't cheat yourself out of reading this beautiful book! Click here to view Eleanor and Park in the Hurstville City Library catalogue.

- Holly.

A book review from our teen fiction collection

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This story follows the companionship between Violet Markey, a girl who has recently lost her sister in a car accident, and Theodore Finch, a charismatic and troubled boy who suffers from bipolar disorder. They meet each other on top of the school bell tower and from the moment they meet they begin an unlikely friendship.

I cannot give this book enough praise, I am still whirling from the experience of reading it. It is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, and most importantly it tackles a delicate issue - mental illness.

Violet and Finch get paired up together for a Geography project, which sends them travelling to find 'the wonders of their state'. They learn more about one another as each new adventure passes, each of them discovering more details about the others depression and dark thoughts.

I was gripped from the very first page and once I picked the book up I could not put it down. A book like this, including its characters and messages, stays with you forever.

This story changed my life. It is so confronting and raw. It shows that people from all walks of life can be affected by mental illness, no matter who they are or what they've been through.

Experience the journey with Violet and Finch and borrow this book from our library! Click here to see All the Bright Places in our catalogue.

- Holly.

Spandau Ballet now available at Hurstville City Library!

Remember the Eighties, then you will probably remember Spandau Ballet. One of the most influential rock bands of the era in music and fashion. Well, you can now watch the Spandau Ballet story on a new dvd titled: ‘Spandau Ballet: Soul boys of the Western World’, now available for loan from Hurstville Library. Follow this link for more information.

National Trust Heritage Festival 2015

The National Trust Heritage Festival started in NSW in 1980 to nurture & promote heritage related events in NSW. From the 11 April – 26 May 2015 join the National Trust in celebrating Australia’s cultural heritage, through talks, tours, exhibitions and events across NSW, the National Trust invites people to explore our heritage and find out what has shaped Australia.1 

To celebrate the theme of this year’s National Trust Heritage Festival Conflict and Compassion Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery will be hosting the following events:

We will start our program of events on Wednesday 22 April 2015 with a beautiful and informative tour of Oatley Park. You will be guided on a journey through the natural beauty of Oatley Park with Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society Inc. This walking tour will explore the abundance of flora and fauna and significant sites relating to the heritage of the area. Yummy refreshments will be provided! 

More information.

Hurstville War Memorial c.1930

 Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection

Join us on Wednesday 6 May 2015 for a bus tour where we will visit some of the war memorials and places of commemoration throughout the Hurstville and surrounding suburbs. There will be time to view the Remembering them: People of St George and the First World War exhibition is included. Scrumptious refreshments will be provided. 

More information.

 
Image: Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection

On Monday 11 May 2015 join Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery staff as they present the talk 'Mateship and Mercy' which highlights the compassion and camaraderie of the people of the Hurstville district during the First World War. Extensive research has been undertaken, finding a selection of published letters, diary extracts and correspondence, reflecting the experiences of both local service people and their loved ones during the conflict. 

More information.

Our final program for the National Trust Heritage Festival will be a film screening of 'Revealing Gallipoli' on Tuesday 26 May 2015. Revealing Gallipoli tells the story of the nine-month battle, which ended with the evacuation of all its troops in December 1915. The film was produced in 2005 and has been provided by the Commonwealth Department of Vetrans' Affairs. After the screening, talk some time to view the exhibition 'Remebering Them: People of St George and the First World War'.

More information.

Bookings are essential for all programs.

Remembering Them - People Of St George And The First World War exhibition runs from the 15 February to the 31 May 2015 at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.This exhibition commemorates the ANZAC centenary in 2015 showcasing the experiences of men and women of the St George area during WW1. Personal stories will come to life through soldiers‚“ diary and letter extracts. A highlight on display from the Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery collection will be the pictorial honour rolls portraying over two hundred photographs of soldiers.

Hurstville Museum & Gallery 

14 MacMahon Street Hurstville 2220

Phone: (02) 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Visit our Website for more information.

  1. Australian Council of National Trusts http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/Heritage-Festival