Hi there
I seem to be having some technical difficulties with uploading photos to the blog at the moment so until I can figure out what is happening, there will be no new posts for the near future.
Sorry about the interruption but as I said in the intro this is my way of keeping computer savvy so this will test my limited knowledge.
Enjoy your weekend and hope to be back online soon.
Cheers
Kim
Friday, 23 August 2013
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
The Morshead Fountain
The Morshead Fountain was erected in remembrance of Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Morshead and the men who served with him in the war of 1914-18 and in the defence of Tobruk Libya in 1941 for which he was knighted.
It is located across from the State Library of NSW at one of the entrance gates to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
It is located across from the State Library of NSW at one of the entrance gates to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The fountain was designed by architects Woodward, Taranto and Wallace. A new fountain head was installed in 1983.
It was unveiled by Lady Morshead in 1966.
Unfortunately the day I photographed the fountain the water wasn't flowing while I was there.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Equine Heroes of WWI
The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial is a piece of public art that most people would probably miss, as it is almost hidden, set back into the south west external wall of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
It is a memorial to the 140,000 horses that served in the desert campaign in World War One, only one of which was able to return to Australia. The memorial was erected on Anzac Day 1950 by the friends and members of the Desert Mounted Corps. It was unveiled by Lady Chauvel, whose husband General Sir Harry Chauvel commanded the Desert Mounted Corps.
The memorial consists of horses with ammunition pouches around their necks and reins held by a trooper in short sleeves, hats and boots, with ammunition pouches across his chest.
Like the Shakespeare Memorial this was also moved to its present location in the mid 1960's due to the construction of the Cahill Expressway.
It is a memorial to the 140,000 horses that served in the desert campaign in World War One, only one of which was able to return to Australia. The memorial was erected on Anzac Day 1950 by the friends and members of the Desert Mounted Corps. It was unveiled by Lady Chauvel, whose husband General Sir Harry Chauvel commanded the Desert Mounted Corps.
The memorial consists of horses with ammunition pouches around their necks and reins held by a trooper in short sleeves, hats and boots, with ammunition pouches across his chest.
Like the Shakespeare Memorial this was also moved to its present location in the mid 1960's due to the construction of the Cahill Expressway.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Shakespeare Memorial
Have you ever driven or walked past something and not ever really taken notice that it is there?
Well that is the case with the next statue I am featuring.
I have passed this statue many times but it wasn't until I participated in the public art walk that I finally took notice of what and who it was of.
It could be because of it's position in the middle of a roadway where you don't walk past it easily.
That particular piece of public art is The Shakespeare Memorial on Shakespeare Place across from the Mitchell Library.
Romeo and Juliet Hamlet
Portia Falstaff
Shakespeare
It has 5 well known Shakespearean characters around the base with a life size statue of Shakespeare at the top.
The sculptor was Sir Bertram MacKennal and was unveiled in 1926. In future posts I will highlight another of Sir Bertram's sculptures.
In 1959 the statue was repositioned to make way for the Cahill Expressway.
Well that is the case with the next statue I am featuring.
I have passed this statue many times but it wasn't until I participated in the public art walk that I finally took notice of what and who it was of.
It could be because of it's position in the middle of a roadway where you don't walk past it easily.
That particular piece of public art is The Shakespeare Memorial on Shakespeare Place across from the Mitchell Library.
It has 5 well known Shakespearean characters around the base with a life size statue of Shakespeare at the top.
The sculptor was Sir Bertram MacKennal and was unveiled in 1926. In future posts I will highlight another of Sir Bertram's sculptures.
In 1959 the statue was repositioned to make way for the Cahill Expressway.
Friday, 16 August 2013
A Popular Governor
Around the corner from an explorer and his cat is the statue of Governor Richard Bourke.
Found in front of the State Library, eastern side of Macquarie St Sydney, it is one of the first statues erected in Australia.
Governor Bourke, an Irishman was the 8th Governor of the colony and a very popular one by all accounts. He was instrumental in introducing the "trial by jury" system which replaced the military justice system which had been in place since 1788.
He also made a fairer system of granting land by stopping free land grants and putting land up for auction and if less than five shillings was offered, it was not sold or if the offers rose above that price it was given to the highest bidder. This was regarded as a very fair arrangement, and as a large number of money was annually received from the sale of the land, the Government was able to resume the practice , discontinued in 1818, of assisting poor people in Europe to emigrate to the colony.
A popular Governor who was sorely missed by the colony.
Found in front of the State Library, eastern side of Macquarie St Sydney, it is one of the first statues erected in Australia.
Governor Bourke, an Irishman was the 8th Governor of the colony and a very popular one by all accounts. He was instrumental in introducing the "trial by jury" system which replaced the military justice system which had been in place since 1788.
He also made a fairer system of granting land by stopping free land grants and putting land up for auction and if less than five shillings was offered, it was not sold or if the offers rose above that price it was given to the highest bidder. This was regarded as a very fair arrangement, and as a large number of money was annually received from the sale of the land, the Government was able to resume the practice , discontinued in 1818, of assisting poor people in Europe to emigrate to the colony.
A popular Governor who was sorely missed by the colony.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Statues, Public Art, Sculptures
A few years ago I participated in a Public Art Walking tour with Dr Nicholas Hardwick in and around the Royal Botanic Gardens. I enjoyed the tour and have recently revisited the walk and taken photos of all the various pieces we looked at along the way.
You might recognise some of the pieces but also find some new ones along the way.
The first statue is of navigator, chart maker and explorer Matthew Flinders outside the Mitchell Library on Macquarie St. It was unveiled in 1925. He was the first to circumnavigate Australia and gave Australia its name.
Behind Matthew Flinders perched on one of the window ledges is a small bronze statue of his faithful companion, Trim the cat. The statue has it's right paw raised and its head looking in the direction of its master. It was unveiled in 1996.
On the ledge behind Matthew Flinders' statue and the ledge in front of Trim there are small bronze paw prints.
You might recognise some of the pieces but also find some new ones along the way.
The first statue is of navigator, chart maker and explorer Matthew Flinders outside the Mitchell Library on Macquarie St. It was unveiled in 1925. He was the first to circumnavigate Australia and gave Australia its name.
Behind Matthew Flinders perched on one of the window ledges is a small bronze statue of his faithful companion, Trim the cat. The statue has it's right paw raised and its head looking in the direction of its master. It was unveiled in 1996.
On the ledge behind Matthew Flinders' statue and the ledge in front of Trim there are small bronze paw prints.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Statues
Sydney is full of statues, traditional, quirky and modern. Everywhere you look and sometimes in places where you might not expect statues appear.
This statue of Governor Bligh is next to Cadman's Cottage in Bligh and Barney Reserve and was unveiled in 1987 to "restore the proper image of a much maligned and gallant man".
On the back of the statue is a detailed description of William Bligh's life.
To me he looks like he looking out to the harbour as if he is expecting someone.
This statue of Governor Bligh is next to Cadman's Cottage in Bligh and Barney Reserve and was unveiled in 1987 to "restore the proper image of a much maligned and gallant man".
On the back of the statue is a detailed description of William Bligh's life.
To me he looks like he looking out to the harbour as if he is expecting someone.
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