Mitchell Library entrance
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Matthew Flinder's log book
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Matthew Flinder's map of Australia, represented on the tiled foyer of the library
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ARTHUR PHILLIP CHAPTER: VISIT TO NSW STATE LIBRARY - 3rd May 2019
The NSW State Library recently opened its new $22 million world-class Exhibition Galleries in the Dixson Wing displaying items never seen before - a tribute to all those collectors past and present who left this great legacy. Library Guide and Public Speaker, Patrick Dodd, led our group on a fascinating heritage tour of the New Exhibition Galleries, including the special ‘UNESCO Six Collections’.
Our group gathered in the foyer of the Macquarie Street entrance to the Library and, at 10.15am, were met by Marilyn, Library Volunteer Guide replacing Patrick Dodd who was recovering from a stint in hospital. After a welcoming introduction, Marilyn lead us to the refurbished Mitchell Picture Galleries where she described some of the portraits on display - Caroline Chisholm, Sir Joseph Banks, Governor Lachlan Macquarie and wife, Elizabeth, early Governors of NSW and other notable people.
The NSW State Library recently opened its new $22 million world-class Exhibition Galleries in the Dixson Wing displaying items never seen before - a tribute to all those collectors past and present who left this great legacy. Library Guide and Public Speaker, Patrick Dodd, led our group on a fascinating heritage tour of the New Exhibition Galleries, including the special ‘UNESCO Six Collections’.
Our group gathered in the foyer of the Macquarie Street entrance to the Library and, at 10.15am, were met by Marilyn, Library Volunteer Guide replacing Patrick Dodd who was recovering from a stint in hospital. After a welcoming introduction, Marilyn lead us to the refurbished Mitchell Picture Galleries where she described some of the portraits on display - Caroline Chisholm, Sir Joseph Banks, Governor Lachlan Macquarie and wife, Elizabeth, early Governors of NSW and other notable people.
Visitors checking the digital information on the central station
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One wall of the Mitchell Galleries
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Mitchell Reading Room
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We saw the Sydney Elders’ exhibition about the lives of four Aboriginal elders from different Sydney clans – from the Gai-marigal people in the north, the south the Bidjigal, the east the Gadigal and the west the Dharug. A surprising revelation was that descendants of Aboriginal people, one of whom married a First Fleeter, were still living close to Sydney Harbour as their ancestors were at the time of the First Fleet.
Adjacent to the Picture galleries is the Amaze Gallery where displayed items included Miles Franklin’s notebooks, the Treaty of Waitangi, proclamations by Governor Fitzroy, and the earliest known sketches of Aboriginal people.
We also appreciated the poignant display of children of World War 1, their letters and drawings sent to their fathers serving their country, and tracing their later involvement in action in World War 2.
Next, we visited the new exhibition floors in the Dixson Wing and its current display of about 300 of the Library’s 1,600 pictures. Marilyn told many related stories about the current exhibition, the UNESCO Six collection:
- Original manuscript with Dorothea Mackellar reciting her famous Core of My Heart;
- The Holtermann goldfields photos including giant glass plate negatives;
- Papers of ‘enemy aliens’ interned in Australia from 1914-1918; and Diaries from World War 1.
Adjacent to the Picture galleries is the Amaze Gallery where displayed items included Miles Franklin’s notebooks, the Treaty of Waitangi, proclamations by Governor Fitzroy, and the earliest known sketches of Aboriginal people.
We also appreciated the poignant display of children of World War 1, their letters and drawings sent to their fathers serving their country, and tracing their later involvement in action in World War 2.
Next, we visited the new exhibition floors in the Dixson Wing and its current display of about 300 of the Library’s 1,600 pictures. Marilyn told many related stories about the current exhibition, the UNESCO Six collection:
- Original manuscript with Dorothea Mackellar reciting her famous Core of My Heart;
- The Holtermann goldfields photos including giant glass plate negatives;
- Papers of ‘enemy aliens’ interned in Australia from 1914-1918; and Diaries from World War 1.
Mutiny of the Bounty and Captain Bligh
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Matthew Flinders and Trim
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A collection of precious items
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Most important for our group was The First Fleet Collection, the most comprehensive collection of First Fleet journals in the world, i.e. of the fifteen surviving journals, ten are held in the State Library’s collections. Written by naval and marine corps officers, as well as seaman and surgeons, these journals vividly paint the voyage to and early settlement of Australia between 1787 and the 1790s. These powerful accounts describe the way the British viewed Port Jackson and its inhabitants, and record the hopes and ambitions of the First Fleeters, their feelings of homesickness and despair, along with detailed descriptions of the unfamiliar natural environment.
First Fleet diaries; William Bradley’s is beautifully illustrated.
Also on display and awaiting nomination were:
William Bligh’s HMS Bounty log book;
Myles Dunphy collection;
David Unaipon papers.
Two booklets for circulation at the May meeting:
- Uniexco Six
- Memories on Glass – the Macpherson Family Collection
First Fleet diaries; William Bradley’s is beautifully illustrated.
Also on display and awaiting nomination were:
William Bligh’s HMS Bounty log book;
Myles Dunphy collection;
David Unaipon papers.
Two booklets for circulation at the May meeting:
- Uniexco Six
- Memories on Glass – the Macpherson Family Collection
Bradley's precious illustrated journal - limited exposure to light
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First Fleet description
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Representation of marines guarding some convicts
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There was much more to be seen but time ran out. We returned to the starting point and showed our appreciation to Marilyn for her informative commentary on a remarkable legacy of our history and heritage, a real tribute to collectors past and present.
The rain had held off all day until we headed along Macquarie Street to the Da Capo Café in the Sydney Hospital courtyard. Our host Patrick Apirri had reserved a table under cover on the veranda ready for our pre-ordered meals to be served. It was good to spend time together to chat and reaffirm our close membership ties.
Afterward those who wished returned to the Library to spend more time perusing the fabulous UNESCO Six before the exhibition finish on 5th May 2019.
Compiled by Gillian Doyle
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2023-
Images: Courtesy of Chapter members; from the internet.
The rain had held off all day until we headed along Macquarie Street to the Da Capo Café in the Sydney Hospital courtyard. Our host Patrick Apirri had reserved a table under cover on the veranda ready for our pre-ordered meals to be served. It was good to spend time together to chat and reaffirm our close membership ties.
Afterward those who wished returned to the Library to spend more time perusing the fabulous UNESCO Six before the exhibition finish on 5th May 2019.
Compiled by Gillian Doyle
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2023-
Images: Courtesy of Chapter members; from the internet.
