Quoting from http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a690151d11502a1ac9e2e0307&id=75208176e0&e=a66f088e22
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (formerly known as Lu Rees Archives)
Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 1
"Locating the original artworks for Australian Children's illustrated books of the past can be a frustrating and disappointing exercise. All too often this work has not survived, or has been overlooked or even disparaged by collectors and institutions."
Robert Holden, Director of the Museum of Childhood Sydney in A Golden Age, Sydney Angus & Robertson 1992. |
|
|
Your Centre in 2016.
We start 2016 with some wonderful news and several exciting projects in which we would like you to be involved.
But first the news.
Congratulations to great friends of the Centre, Jackie French, Ann James and Ann Haddon who all received an Australia Day Award in January.
And the good news keeps coming. We are delighted to advise that Ann James AM and Ann Haddon AM have donated the fabulous John Barrow Collection of 135 framed artworks from Australian children's books to the Centre. The artwork published between 1980 to 2006 is historically significant. The collection is presently on exhibit at Dromkeen, Riddells Creek, Victoria until the end of March. It will then be packed up and delivered to the Centre.
Our projects relate to an exhibition of May Gibbs material and two on The School Magazine. To avoid missing out and for further information see the items below and join us for these very special events.
See photographs below
Left Ann Haddon AM and Ann James AM
Right The John Barrow Collection as currently exhibited at Dromkeen, Riddells Creek, Victoria
|
|
|
New Ambassador
Jackie French AM has very kindly agreed to take on the role of Ambassador for the National Centre of Australian Children's Literature Inc. This is great as Jackie will promote the Centre its vision and activities widely into the community.
Many thanks to all Centre friends for continuing to spread the word about the precious resources that make up the Centre's collection. |
|
|
The John Barrow Exhibition
The University of Canberra and the Centre will partner to jointly mount an exhibition of about 40 framed original artworks from the John Barrow Collection from late April to August this year. The exhibition will be open to the public and feature floor talks and an educational program for children. Longer term, this exhibition may be re-created as a ‘virtual’ experience. This collection enhances the already large original artwork that the Centre manages. To see a full list of the Centre's current artwork click here. http://www.canberra.edu.au/national-centre-for-australian-childrens-literature/research-files |
|
|
Remembering The School Magazine
Was The School Magazine (formerly The NSW School Magazine) a part of your childhood? You might be surprised to know that it is celebrating its centenary this year. It is the longest continuously published magazine in Australia and the creators, whose work filled its pages over all that time, are some of our best children’s authors and illustrators. Through reading The School Magazine children were introduced to the best in children’s literature and many became lifelong readers as a result. It is now available to children in all states and territories.
We are inviting everyone for whom The School Magazine is, or was, a part of their childhood reading, to send us a short story about what the magazine means or meant to them. You will be receiving a special email from Dr Trish Milne about the exciting celebrations that the Centre had planned. Please involve yourself in this celebration and circulate Trish's email widely to your friends and colleagues. Enjoy the replay of the 2011 Earshot program about The School Magazine by clicking here http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/earshot/earshot-23-february/7148076 |
|
|
| Congratulations Leigh Hobbs
Celebrate Leigh Hobbs's elevation to Australian Children's Laureate 2016 - 2017 by enjoying some of his Horrible Harriet and Old Tom stories on YouTube. Leigh was a May Gibbs Fellow in 2007 at the Centre. He contributed to the creative writing and graphic design programs at the University of Canberra. The Centre holds several pieces of Horrible Harriet artwork.
From Horrible Harriet, written and illustrated by Leigh Hobbs, Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 2002. |
|
The Way of the Whirlwind
A very special and generous donation of two editions of The Way of the Whirlwind by Mary and Elizabeth Durack has been received filling gaps in the Centre's collection.
One donated edition is a 1945 edition of the book which was originally printed in 1941. This copy came to the Centre by way of Lifeline, Canberra, and the donor had purchased it through Lifeline at auction. While the Centre holds a similar copy in the collection, it is not complete with some pages missing. (See below far left.)
The other donation is a 1969 edition which is significant because the title page has been signed by the illustrator, Elizabeth Durack. This book was found on the internet by the donor after some very careful research.
See photographs below.
Left 1945 edition with 1969 edition featured
Right The signature of Elizabeth Durack which is a feature of the 1969 edition.
|
|
|
Bree Blundell, our summer intern says
The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature is more than just a Centre that archives the works of Australian authors and illustrators as its name suggests. It is also a close-knit group of hard working and passionate men and women who share the common goal of preserving the history of Australia’s children.
In my short time with the organisation I was able to learn so much from the volunteers that make the Centre the well-oiled machine that it is. Their enthusiastic nature in greeting visitors, opening a package or even putting books on shelves made me realise that the Centre’s most important asset is not only the vast collection of books, artwork and research material but also its collection of people.
And so I must say a massive thank you to Belle Alderman and her inspirational team of children’s book heroes who make history by preserving history.
Thank you for believing in me and letting me do so much while I was at the Centre.
I was able to sit in on meetings; create the 450th author file (Michael Salmon); update publisher files; study original and preliminary artworks; create a display congratulating our new laureate; and enjoy the company of some truly inspirational and dedicated people. I wish the Centre the best of luck in its future endeavours.
Breanna Blundell
See photographs below: Left: Bree Blundell and Max Brown taking receipt of donated artwork from.....
Right: Bree Blundell, Belle Alderman, Pat Dickson, Belinda Gamlen and Rose Howes at Bree's farewell lunch at the University of Canberra.
|
|
|
Tracking a treasure
Anne Kelly, Belle Alderman and Bree Blundell with a possible donation of The Rainbow Painter written and illustrated by Esme E. Bell. A check on Trove revealed a 1939 and 1980 edition with a second impression. But, have we got all three? We will keep you posted on any further developments on this possible donation from Anne Kelly and her sisters. | |
|
Join us for........
May Gibbs exhibition from 18 July to 11 of September at the Canberra Museum & Gallery (CMAG) to coincide with the production of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie at the Canberra Theatre from 17 to 20 August.
Remembering The School Magazine exhibition at Civic Library on the 23 September to 21 October to coincide with the celebration of The School Magazine's100th year of publication.
|
|
|
National Centre's Annual Report
Our latest Annual Report is now available as an e-document covering the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, Go to http://www.canberra.edu.au/national-centre-for-australian-childrens-literature/publications/annual-reports to download or view. One advantage of our Annual Report as an e-document is that there are live links to additional material. Mention of the Annual Report's projected availability occurred in late December in our final e-newsletter for 2015.
The Centre will endeavour to contact our friends and supporters who previously received a print copy of our Annual Report where we do not have an email address. Please remember to contact the Editor if you change your email address. |
|
|
Comments