North Shore Historical Society Inc. - North Sydney Council

North Shore Historical Society Inc.
ABN 58 742 490 986
PO Box 399 North Sydney NSW 2059
Email: northshorehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com.au
He Lives Doubly Who Also Enjoys the Past
BULLETIN for OCTOBER 2013
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10 October in the Conference Room, Stanton Library, Miller
Street, North Sydney. Light refreshments are served from 6.30pm prior to the meeting which
commences at 7pm.
Guest Speaker: Stewart Reed
Stewart Reed began his research into May Gibbs’ comic strips when doing research for the Was Thinking
of Home Today exhibition at the North Sydney Heritage Centre in 2004 at Nutcote. He continued when
co-curating the Our Working Lives – in Gumnut Town exhibition at Nutcote in 2006 and the Inspired by
May exhibition at the North Sydney Heritage Centre in 2007/2008. Stewart was a Board Member of May
Gibbs’ Nutcote from 2005 to 2008. He is now working on a catalogue of her comic strips.
He has used the wealth of May Gibbs’ material in the Mitchell Library where there are dozens of boxes of
notes, correspondence, original drawings, cuttings and proofs for her comic scripts. Unfortunately some
of the original material is no longer extant – a by-product largely of the way May worked. Stewart runs a
course on The Unknown May Gibbs for the University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education.
Topic: May Gibbs’ comic strips – a little known treasure
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie was published in 1918 and in the years immediately following several more
gumnut books were eagerly devoured by her readers. In August 1924, the two gum nuts were
transformed into Bib and Bub. This comic strip first appeared in Sydney’s Sunday News and Adelaide’s
Mail. The success of Bib and Bub lead May to create a second strip Tiggy Touchwood which ran from
1925 to 1932 in a rival newspaper. Bib and Bub ran until 1967 (when May Gibbs was 90) and, including
Tiggy Touchwood, she created approximately 2,300 strips. Their development is complex as the comic
strips illustrations and text were recycled and the format varied from city to city. They also reflect May
Gibbs’ interaction with the events and activities around her. This talk describes the variety of characters
in the comics, how the original artwork was transformed into the final printed comic and her use of
language, spelling and punctuation.
At the Annual General Meeting 12 September 2013 the following Office Bearers were elected: -
President
Geoff Huntington
Vice President
Don Napper
Treasurer
Don Napper
Secretary
Robin Finlayson
Minute Secretary
Elizabeth Fountain
Guest Speaker Organiser Vilma Bowers
Outings Organizer
Don Orr
A certificate of appreciation was awarded to Brian Evesson on his retirement from the Committee.
Christmas Afternoon Tea - Saturday 30th November 2-4pm - Don Bank Museum, 6 Napier Street,
North Sydney. Live entertainment and excellent catering for only $25.00 per person-
Bookings/payment required now to Treasurer Ph 02 9460 0634 OR Secretary ph 02 9955 2504

VALE: It is with sadness I report the passing on the 11th September of long time member David
Killeen. David was well liked and it was always a pleasure to have him at our meetings. A lasting
memory is that of his performance at our Christmas Party two years ago when we were enjoyably
entertained by the Gordon Quartette. On behalf of all members of the Historical Society I have offered
our sincerest condolences to Jenny and family.
NSHS History Competition Prize Winners
At the AGM in September, prizes were awarded to the winner and runner-up of our Biennial History
competition.
First prize of $3,000 was awarded to Chris Monnox for his entry
Billy Hughes, North Sydney and the Unraveling of the Nationalist Party [1929]
The judges considered this to be a really well-written, well-researched piece that addresses a huge gap in
the written history of North Sydney – namely the role and significance of politics beyond the municipal.
The author outlines the pragmatism that brought Billy Hughes to the local area as a maverick ‘conservative’
in search of a safe seat.
In doing so he provides insights into the complex political demography of North Sydney – an electorate that
was home to many people from boat builders and clerks to doctors and bankers.
As the building boom of the 1920s gathered pace, the author explores the local appeal of Hughes to these
people while also charting the changes to the area.
Second prize of $1,500 was awarded to Beryl Mitchell's entry
The Hobsons and Whitings of North Shore.
Much effort obviously went into this extensively researched family history that ranges over a large
timeframe and several individuals to present a story of two families who made fascinating contributions to
Sydney’s cultural life through retail, real estate, philanthropy, sport and the press.
Using relevant primary sources it is logically organised and includes sensible observations based on the
evidence presented. Images are well chosen and complement the text.
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Mapping North Sydney: maps and charts from the Heritage Centre collection
Date: 28 October 2013 - April 2014: North Sydney Heritage Centre, Level 1, Stanton Library, 234 Miller Street
This exhibition features original maps and charts, some dating to the 19th century, which show changes to
North Sydney over 150 years of development. Highlights include an 1879 trig survey chart which makes clear
the dramatic alteration of the Milsons Point and Kirribilli waterfronts, 'resumptions maps' showing properties
slated for demolition during the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and hand-drawn late 19th century
survey maps of Careening Cove by members of the Loxton family; significant local landowners.
GORE HILL MEMORIAL CEMETERY TOUR – SUNDAY 3 rd NOVEMBER 11.00am
A bi-annual tour of the Heritage Listed Gore Hill Memorial Cemetery will be conducted by members of the
Friends of Gore Hill Cemetery on Sunday 3 rd November commencing at 11:00am
This is an opportunity for residents to participate in a two hour tour led by experienced and knowledgeable
guides of some of the highlights of this amazing historic cemetery hidden behind the trees on the Pacific
Highway at St Leonards.
During the tour we will visit and talk about some of the leading historical figures from the North Shore of
Sydney buried in the cemetery and will spend some time in the St Mary MacKillop precinct.
Participants are advised to wear good walking shoes and to bring a camera to record the memorials in a sea of
flowers. Following the tour there will be an opportunity to make enquiries about location of graves and
deposition of ashes. This is a popular tour and bookings are essential Contact John May on 9906 5106 to reserve
a place.
CAN YOU HELP?
The Crows Nest Community Centre wants to create a display about their history. Particularly about the people
who have been named in the various rooms and halls at the centre.
We are asking members if they were involved in the early years or know of someone who was, to contact Eliot
Ball, at the Stanton Library on Wednesdays and Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoons. His office number is
9936 8412 or 9936 8438 on the local history desk (1pm to 5pm Mon - Sat).
Any information would be most welcome. Eliott's email is eliotball1@gmail.com.