A blog about literature, authors and place
My book Locating Australian Literary Memory looks at places and sites associated with eleven Australian writers (including Lawson) but while writing, I wasn’t able to dedicate much time/space to objects. Many of the artefacts connected with authors tend to be displayed in literary houses. Due to his lifelong poverty, Lawson doesn’t have a house –… Continue reading Henry Lawson’s relics
While researching the John Shaw Neilson memorial cottage in Nhill, my imagination has been drawn to the swamp behind it. In 1974 it inundated the cottage, leading to rotted timbers. Jaypex Park serves as the gateway for visitors who want to visit the Nhill Swamp Boardwalk. It's home to a scar tree which has been… Continue reading Memorial trees
John Shaw Neilson National Memorial Cottage in Nhill, opened in 1972 Last week, on a lightning trip to Nhill by train and bus, I had the privilege of visiting the poet John Shaw Neilson's cottage, which was moved from Penola in 1961 and opened in 1972. I have long been fascinated by heritage buildings that… Continue reading John Shaw Neilson Memorial Cottage
Reading around the history of Brunswick, I discovered that an electrical transfer station now occupies the site of the Stony Park mansion which was progressively and eccentrically demolished in 1924. Maie Casey wrote about Stony Park in her memoir An Australian Story 1837 to 1907 (1962). She would visit Stony Park on Saturdays with her mother… Continue reading Stony Park Mansion
Walking down Albert St in Brunswick yesterday, I noticed some text painted neatly on a wall on the edge of Little Randazzo park. 'The Secretary, Education Dept. Melbourne, School 1213 Brunswick Oct. 28 1889. Sir, I beg to report that the school bell is out of order. The contractor who has just finished the new… Continue reading Eve Langley’s old school
Historians have reflected on the deep satisfaction of finding things and that this is perhaps strongest during encounters with objects, with some even revealing a strong desire to steal objects as keepsakes. (Steedman 2001, Burton 2005, Rose 2000) On the one hand, I am horrified by the idea of scholars pillaging items they discover as… Continue reading Stolen keepsakes
This wreath made of wildflowers which was displayed at the grave of the 19th century Anglo-Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon was made for him by a 'lost love' Jane Bridges from England and transported to Melbourne by a devoted admirer. It was originally framed and then displayed under a glass dome and finally broken up… Continue reading Jane Bridges’ wreath
Jerekellimi, the Dark's 'private' cave Some writers are fascinated by caves. Two Australian authors Eleanor Dark and Nan Chauncy spent time in caves near where they lived. Chauncy wrote about the caves at the Chauncy Vale wildlife reserve in her first children's book They Found a Cave (1946) which was later made into a film.… Continue reading Writers’ Caves
Siting Writers 