HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2009

Celebrate the NSW National Trust sponsored Heritage Festival 2009

 

- OUR PLACE IN SPACE: UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS

Cook and Leichhardt: How Explorers Found Their Way

Friday, 17 April, 2009 

On his first expedition travelling overland from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, during 1844-45, the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt used the same methods of establishing his position that Captain James Cook had employed on his first voyage, over 70 years earlier. Astronomers at Greenwich Observatory, in particular, Astronomer Royal Neville Maskelyne, who was the villain of the piece in Dava Sobel’s best selling book Longitude, perfected the method of lunar distances as a way of determining longitude.  Longitude, one of the two coordinates necessary to establish position on the Earth’s surface, is difficult to determine, while the other, latitude, can be found relatively easily by observing suitable stars.  In this illustrated talk, the curator of astronomy at Sydney Observatory, Dr Nick Lomb, will explain the method of lunar distances, talk about how James Cook became the first ship’s captain to know his position and discuss Leichhardt’s journey.

 

Time: 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm.

Venue: Within the Leichhardt Town Centre (exact location to be advised depending on Nos. of patrons)

Cost: Free event

Light food & refreshments will be available.

Bookings essential please RSVP to 9367 9223

 

Marine Officer, Convict Wife. The Johnstons of Annandale

 

Wednesday, 8 April, 2009

 

Few Colonial families can boast the fascination of such characters as Major George Johnston, his convict mistress, later wife, Esther Abrahams and their experiences in the young colony of New South Wales.  Author Dr. Alan Roberts will speak on his recently released book ‘Marine Officer, Convict Wife. The Johnstons of Annandale’, funded by Leichhardt Council through the Annandale Urban Research Association.  All copies of the book, for sale on the night, will be signed by the author.  All welcome.

 

Time: 6.30 pm – 8.00pm

Venue: Annandale Town Hall – 79 Johnston Street, Annandale (behind Annandale Neighbourhood Centre).

Cost: Free event

Light food & refreshments will be available and books sold at the event will be signed.

Bookings essential please RSVP to 9367 9223.

 

Leichhardt Council quarry, Moore Street, Leichhardt, ca 1920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Sandstone Quarries in Leichhardt — A Discovery Tour

 

Saturday, 4 April 2009 and Saturday, 18 April 2009, 2pm – 5pm approx (both days).

 

An adventure by bus to discover a stratum of Leichhardt’s history that you probably didn’t know existed. The tour will highlight some of the former sandstone quarry sites within the Leichhardt district and provide an insight into an industry which helped to create its built environment.  The tour will be hosted by architectural historians – Robert & Noel Irving and Leichhardt Council’s part-time heritage planner – Christopher Reeves.

 

Places are strictly limited (maximum of 17 persons per tour).

Pick up and return will be at Leichhardt Town Centre (location to be advised). Adventurers to bring their own food and water, sunscreen, hat and sturdy footwear.

Cost: The fee is $10 per person.

Bookings essential please RSVP to 9367 9223.

For the full statewide listing of Hertiage Festival 2009 events log on to:

http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/festival/program/default.asp