Children Writing

In efforts to clean up my stuff (personal assets) I am going through my genealogy folders and of course I'm unearthing some treasures of times past that had faded from my memory

Back in 1970/1972 I was the Children's Librarian at Randwick Municipal Library (now Randwick City Library). In those days, when many schools did not have libraries on site we forged strong alliances with local schools and hosted regular visits from there classes. We also cooperated with neighbouring Municipal Libraries on several ventures. One of these that I had forgotten was a small publication, Children Writing. 

With the Children's Librarians from Waverley and Woollahra Libraries and support from local schools in our areas we edited and published several issues of Children Writing. I cannot remember how many issues were published or what happened to the funds raised from its sale. 

Children Writing : Record on Trove

When I fired up Trove this morning I was delighted to see that four Australian libraries hold copies of  Children Writing a little project to which I made a contribution to over 50 years ago. 

I grabbed my phone and took a few snaps of  my copy of Issue 2, June 1971 this morning.

Cover of Children Writing

Title Page 

Editorial

Trove Tuesday - Pumpkin Soup

As I sat down with my warm crusty bread and  big bowl of steaming pumpkin soup last night I felt  guilty as my soup was of the lazybones variety. It was store bought. I contemplated pumpkin soup and wondered how long it had been on Aussie menus.

The go-to place for my answer was a no brainer  - Trove of course.

The first recipe I found was in 1843. I thought Pumpkin soup was an Australian dish but it seems to have come from France.

1843 'ENGLISH EXTRACTS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 12 October, p. 3. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12408180

There were no onions in the recipe published in 1865.

1865 'HOUSEHOLD RECEIPTS.', Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918), 18 March, p. 20. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197036884

It's interesting to note the lack of precise measurements in this next recipe from 1885. That's how my grandmother cooked, I don't think she owned a set of scales or measuring spoons.

1885 'THE HOUSE.', The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 11 March, p. 2. (Afternoon Edition.), viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208343944

One hundred years later in 1985 chef, Stephanie Alexander, discusses pumpkin soup and shares her recipe.

1985 'STEPHANIE'S FOOD', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 29 September, p. 60. (GOOD WEEKEND), viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128258205

Let's also share a thought for Geoff who had the ingredient for a bumper batch of pumpkin soup.

1999 'top grower', Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999), 8 July, p. 14. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196861628

Trove Tuesday - Iceland

As I am researching for a forthcoming trip to Iceland I visited Trove to get some travel tips. The first description I found was from 1893.

1893 'ICELAND.', Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899), 29 July, p. 10. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39484242

I'll look out for that building, I wonder if it is still there. The remainder of that long article can be read here : http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39484242.

We'll be doing a self-drive tour around Iceland. Hope conditions are different from 1928.

1928 'MOTORING IN ICELAND', Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), 14 December, p. 7. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115693895

Pleased we'll be approaching Reyjkavik by ship in the middle of the day. I'll be out on deck with the camera.

1937 'Points About Iceland', Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1953), 31 March, p. 3. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189082038

In 1992 a South Australian exchange student recalled her time in Iceland.I may pass on the testicles. The article can be read here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196297227.

1992 'Exchangee tells of life in Iceland',Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999), 8 September, p. 3. , viewed 19 Apr 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196297227

Although these articles were written quite a while ago they still contain valuable information for the prospective tourist.