WWI – Ninety Years On

2008 marks a significant year for World War I commemorations. It is 90 years since the cessation of hostilities which are acknowledged on Remembrance  Day (November 11th). In the past, this day was known as Armistice Day.

For Australians, one of the most significant commemorations will take place in the French village of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day. In 1918, Australian troops fought a fierce action against the advancing Germans, who had initiated Kaiserschlacht, the Spring Offensive, which they hoped would win them the war. The Australian success in re-taking Villers-Bretonneux heralded the end of the German advance in the Somme.

The official website: anzac 2008 in the Somme contains practical and useful information, not only for those attending the 90th anniversary services, but also for anyone who has an interest in WWI.

 

          Clifford Sadlier VC

          51st Battalion, AIF

Battye Pictorial Collection 005038D

Internet Broadway Database: Website

Internet Broadway Database is a fabulous theatre database for every Broadway production.  It includes dates, opening night cast, production credits, number of performances, awards and songs.  The home page has links to current shows.

PM Apology to the Stolen Generations State Library Capture

The State Library of Western Australia seeks to play a key role in collecting, preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of all Western Australians. Here is a link to our Strategic Directions document should you wish to read more about this.

The Prime Minister’s apology to the stolen generations is a major historical moment and a hoped for turning point for Indigenous communities. The State Library of Western Australia is keen to capture this historic moment in our collections to ensure its memory is preserved for future generations.

We would love to have your help and support in helping to capture this moment, so would please let us know of any materials you have that can be added to such a collection.  The types of things we are looking for are:

• Ephemera from the day – flyers, email notices, program run down and campaign action materials
• Personal photos and audio visual images collected on the day
• Personal accounts of gatherings on the day, the significance of the day and hopes from it
• Media clips and alerts about the day and commentary about it
• Websites, blogs and other forums of online communication that refer to the apology

In the positive spirit of reconciliation we look forward to your help in our efforts to record the significance of this day for all Australians.

For more information please email our Specialist on indigenous subjects.

WA singer in top 11 on American Idol

Perth-born Michael Johns, now living in Los Angeles, has reached the top 11 on season 7 of American Idol. He was praised by infamous judge Simon Cowell as “like a white soul singer” when he auditioned, singing the Otis Redding hit “I’ve been loving you too long”. More information about Michael, including his audition videos, is available through the Michael Johns fan site and the American Idol website.

See yourself as the next Australian Idol? Start preparing for your audition now using the song collections of the State Library of Western Australia. Search for your favourite songs using the Song Index, and come in and borrow them today.

How to play really high notes on reed instruments

It’s easy, to play in altissimo register you just need to tune your vocal tract to your instrument to get at least another octave. Only really good and professional players can do this, therefore opening up the altissimo range. A study was recently performed at the University of New South Wales about this and although saxophonists were studied, the findings can be extended to all single and double reed instruments.

Livestock Library

I got an email reminder this week about the wonderful database Livestock Library - I can’t put it better than they did…

The Livestock Library is a free online library targeted at all participants in Australia’s livestock industries.  By doing a search on the Livestock Library it is now possible to simultaneously interrogate the websites of all the state departments of agriculture and primary industries, as well as Australian Wool Innovation, Meat & Livestock Australia, Kondinin Group, Beef CRC, Sheep CRC and the Livestock Library Research Database.  This has been achieved by adding a federated search, WebFeat™, to the Livestock Library.  Other websites will be added to the federated search over the coming months.

So if you need, as their website tagline puts it, credible information on livestock in Australia, Livestock library is the place to go – and best of all nearly all the information is available for free over the internet!  Tell your farming friends!

Australia in numbers – 100 years of Year Book Australia on the web…

Most of us will be aware of the work of the Australian Bureau of Statistics – all Australians will have come across the Census – and most of us will at some stage (at school or uni or in their local library come across that wonderful annual compilation Year Book Australia.  This year is the 100th anniversary of the publication of the first yearbook in 1908 – and you can access every edition free (along with the Census and many other statistics) online on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Website.  You can read more about the history and usefulness of the Australian Year Book in the 2008 edition on the ABS website.  

Dennis Cometti on “Who Do You Think You Are?”

This Sunday, the popular SBS family history show Who Do You Think You Are? will star the only Western Australian of the series, popular football commentator, Dennis Cometti. The family history specialists were lucky enough to attend a preview of the show last week and found it very enjoyable. Dennis’ sense of humour comes across as he tries to discover the story behind some very strong female characters in his family.

Tune in to SBS on Sunday 10 February at 7:30pm.

The image shown above is from the State Library pictorial collection and shows Dennis Cometti in 1972 (347344PD).

What is a Recession?

The R word is in the news a lot at the moment and on the principle that when America sneezes the rest of the world catches cold this posting on Docuticker will help you find out how the US National Bureau of Economic Research defines that unpleasant event…(recessions, not sneezing, you can find out what a sneeze is here!)

ASX Investor Hour in the State Library theatre

The State Library theatre seats 207 people and yesterday a capacity crowd came to the venue hear the first ASX Investor Hour for 2008. The ASX Investor Hour is hosted in WA by the Australian Shareholders’ Association. Chris McGrath of ASANDAS cheered the attendees with his presentation in which he identified many positives for the market in 2008.

Many attendees took the opportunity to visit the Library’s specialist business information collection on the first floor and were interested to find that as well a current and extensive selection of electronic financial information resources, there are also many relevant reference books in print. Darryl Guppy’s “Bear Trading” and Russell Napier’s “Anatomy of the Bear” attracted interest ! Many experienced traders as well as those looking to become market investors,  were interested to find that the Library’s Subject Specialists: Business will be presenting the Library’s financial information resources at the forthcoming Business Information Seminars being offered at the Library in 2008.

We are looking forward to meeting and sharing stories with existing and potential investors !