One of our enduring favourites over here at Wakefield HQ is Dogs in Australian Art. Even the cat-lovers agree: it's a brilliant book. From Ivor Hele's sketch of a great dane to Lin Onus's painting of a dingo surfing, there are some real Aussie icons in the mix, and a lot of them have a great sense of humour. The same could be said of Rodney Pople's I feel so pretty, so witty (2004), and yet, it's equally likely…
Continue readingDo you eat your almonds raw or 'activated'? Do you swear by them as a hangover cure? In her book Willunga Almonds Helen Bennetts discusses some of the real and imagined health benefits of almonds over the years. We've also included her delicious recipe for Smoked trout, almond and potato salad. Perfection! Since ancient times various health benefits have been attributed to almonds. Greek physician Hippocrates and his followers used almonds to treat coughs, as an aphrodisiac and for weight…
Continue readingIt can be difficult finding recipes for friends or family with allergies, which is where Linda Bosnic's wonderful One Bowl Allergy Free Baking is such a help. She explains the reasons for the book best – or just bake the chocolate cupcakes and see for yourself! All of the recipes in this book are nut-free, dairy-free and egg-free and there are also many recipes suited to those with a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. You can find…
Continue reading'The Subway System' is a poem from Bel Schenk's groundbreaking verse novel Every Time You Close Your Eyes, which is set across two blackouts in New York. The first is the famous blackout of 1977, when this excerpt is set, and which was remembered for widespread looting and arson. The second blackout, in 2003, forms a counterpoint – but you'll have to read the book to find out more! The Subway System People on the platform…
Continue readingIn October 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, Torrens Island off Port Adelaide was turned into an internment camp. It is a lesser known impact of war in Australia, but it is an ugly chapter in our history. Thanks to the diary kept by Frank Bungardy and the photos of Paul Dubotzky, historians Peter Monteath, Mandy Paul and Rebecca Martin have been able to recreate the conditions of the camp in Interned: Torrens Island…
Continue readingOne of the most familiar impacts of the voyages of Flindes and Baudin around Australia is the names that they gave to places. While many of Flinders names are still in use today, Baudin left very few place names in his wake. Jean Fornasiero, Peter Monteath and John West-Sooby explain why in Encountering Terra Australis. One of the most distinctive and recognisable symbols of any nation is the outline of the country its citizens inhabit. Determining the…
Continue readingWe had so many wonderful entries for our January newsletter's Summer Rose Giveaway, thank you all for taking the time to send us your beautiful roses. We all agreed, however, that the $250 Wakefield Press voucher should go to Ray Tyndale who sent in this lyrical, floral poem: Maud scant apologies to Tennyson! Come my poppy Fling open your flaming petals Give to me your black heart. Come my pansy Toss back your knowing…
Continue readingThink you know all there is to know about the Adelaide Park Lands? Think again! Here are five fun facts from The Adelaide Park Lands by Patricia Sumerling. The Elder Rotunda comes from Scotland – Patricia says: While the Torrens Lake was fringed with promenades and walkways, there were few grassy places to have picnics, listen to bands or linger and chat. Sir Thomas Elder, sojourning in Scotland, read about the forthcoming opening of the lake in his most recent batch of Adelaide newspapers and…
Continue readingRobert Dickson remembers the opening of the Little Theatre at Adelaide University in Addicted to Architecture. It was obviously a 'suitably anarchic' affair involving a hefty number of streakers … The Little Theatre The Little Theatre was the great gain. It was a 120-seat thrust-stage theatre with sophisticated control facilities and a small theatre bar. Students and other University users could use the theatre and operate all the sound and lighting equipment without any paid staff being there. The theatre consultant was…
Continue readingThere's been a lot of talk about cycling in Adelaide recently. The Tour Down Under opens tomorrow, and recently the City Council has devoted a lot of time to installing and ripping up bike pathways all over the city! But it's not like this is a new thing for us. Adelaidians have been mad-keen cyclists for yonks, as Denis Molyneux investigates in Time for Play, his history of recreation and leisure in SA. Check out the pics --…
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