Book Reviews

Iola Hack Mathews with patten maker and merchant, explorations of the northern Chris Durrant, Chequered owning a handsome estate lands across to the Gawler Lives: John Barton Hack and substantial funds at his ranges and north beyond Lake and Stephen Hack and the death, leaving ten children. Torrens. Later in life he lived early days of South , These were the classic ‘anxious for a while in South Africa, middle classes’ who sought and back in England, before Wakefield Press, , to prosper in a world of again trying rural life in SA. 2013, pp.xii+291, illus, rrp expanding opportunities, but $29.95 pbk The Hacks were undone by one full of dangers. Barton Barton’s careless financial Hack, in part for his health, optimism when the depression determined to make in fortune of the early 1840s hit the colony. in South Australia, drawing Their ruin was exacerbated brother Stephen with him. by the neatly conspired sharp Accompanied by his loyal practice of their former school and extremely competent friend and fellow Quaker wife Bridget, who bore him merchant, Jacob Hagen. Their fourteen children, Barton Hack principal resource was the land began in Adelaide in 1837. He they had taken up around what engaged in importing goods became Echunga: ‘Echunga and then stock for sale, Bridget Springs’ was Barton’s answer to ran a dairy, then among other his father’s country estate. But ventures he invested in the Hagen was the more astute Encounter Bay whale fishery, business man, with better and pressed for special surveys financial contacts, and he took The papers of the Hack to permit him and his brother it all. I celebrated my birthday brothers have teased researchers Stephen to take up their recently in the Echunga inn in Adelaide for many years. country acre entitlements. which symbolised his success, They include diaries, letters the Hagen Arms. and complex financial records Much turned on the family stretching over many years. trust in England providing While Stephen continued Now at last they have been the brothers credit, and their restless for the remainder of his skilfully unravelled by Iola brother-in-law Gates Darton days, Barton Hack continued Hack Mathews, aided in a kept meticulous and sober to seek prosperity as his family fruitful partnership by Chris accounts, unlike Barton’s grew. He tried a stint on the Durrant. The outcome is a confused, optimistic valuations Victorian goldfields which readable family history of early and expenses. Barton ran up yielded temporary relief, then merchant venturers in South debts that continued to grow, dairying on the Coorong. Australia, men who both with mortgages hanging off Not surprisingly in all this prospered and failed and, in everything. he and Bridget buried several the case of Barton Hack, who Stephen meanwhile was more children, eventually losing all stayed the course to become an restless, preferring the outdoor five daughters. honoured Old Colonist. life. He was an early overlander In all this both Barton and The Hacks came from a Quaker of stock from southern NSW Bridget maintained their merchant family of Chichester, to the Hentys at Portland and Christian faith, first with the in Southern England. Their then shipping to Adelaide. Quakers (to whom Barton father Stephen prospered as a He engaged in some useful gave the land for their Meeting

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House on Pennington Terrace), attractively-illustrated, well- documents, photographs, and later with the Bible researched, and written with heritage studies and published Christians. There is a hint that love and care. This is more histories, and state and local the controversy over the role of than another coffee table book. archival collections in weaving the Bible in Quaker life that together Robe’s story. This affected his mother in England Liz Harfull introduces the wide range of sources is fully was also significant in this book with her childhood documented in the References change of allegiance for Barton recollection of ‘entering a section, and set out chapter by Hack. Eventually he settled magical place’, a sense shared chapter, although I consider down to city employment as by many other visitors, that an actual bibliography an accountant, ending his days including me. She also draws should also have been as a senior financial officer with on a personal connection provided, even if only a select the SA railways, gaining end- with Kathleen Bermingham, bibliography as otherwise it of-life fame for his well-written whose local histories fostered takes a long and patient search and optimistic memoirs of the that sense of a beguiling to locate particular references. early days of Adelaide. place, and nourished Harfull’s On the other hand, the detailed own history book many years Iola Hack Mathews is frank in referencing may also draw later. The book is dedicated to attention to – and perhaps her assessments of the Hack Bermingham’s memory. brothers, especially her forbear even voluntary help with – the Barton, but she is also incensed Almost an island comprises a local history collection held at at Hagen’s sharp practice. She substantial 19 chapters divided Robe. shows us some of the people into four main sections, titled I have been told that Almost an who helped establish a good The Early Years, Life, Work Island is leaping off the shelves society in the new lands of and Play. The author’s main in Robe as it is purchased by South Australia. historical narrative is supplied locals and visitors, but the in the first section, beginning book deserves also a wider Brian Dickey with Nicolas Baudin’s readership. This is a well- Flinders University exploration in 1802, but researched, well-written and the entire book interweaves beautifully-illustrated history Liz Harfull, Almost an Island: long-distant and recent as well as a pleasure to browse. the story of Robe, Wakefield histories. Harfull includes Not least this may induce a Press, Adelaide, 2013, pp. many recorded oral histories, new generation to enjoy the 288, illus, rrp $49.95, hbk especially documenting her town and treasure its heritage. main theme of ‘play’ in this summer place. Susan Marsden President, History Council of The book is well set out South Australia with a readable font with substantial pages of text at the same time generously illustrated with historic and recent photographs and reproductions of paintings, drawings and postcards, in colour and black-and-white. Interest is also piqued by The seaside town of Robe in the boxed and illustrated South Australia’s South East is stories, both historical and a small place with a beguiling contemporary. history set in a beautiful location. This book does justice Harfull makes a highly to both as it is nicely designed, competent use of recollections,

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Janis Sheldrick, Nature’s Line: Goyder’s importance in her research in 1993, and George Goyder: surveyor, shaping the entire pattern twenty years later we have environmentalist, visionary, of rural settlement in South Nature’s Line. Australia in the second half Wakefield Press, Adelaide, The difficulty of the 2013, pp. xiv + 457, illus, rrp of the nineteenth century has, of course, been recognised undertaking is reflected by the $45, hbk by historians and historical length of time taken for the geographers for decades and research and writing. Although numerous pieces of research a prominent and powerful and writing have illuminated figure in his public life, just how influential he was. At Goyder kept his personal life a time when state governments intensely private. Almost all were notoriously unstable and of his known writings take the rose and fell with monotonous form of official departmental regularity, Goyder provided correspondence, annual a rock-like stability, and his reports and parliamentary intelligence, managerial skills papers. For a biographer and extraordinarily high energy seeking to understand and levels ensured that the process portray the man this presents of rural land survey, release real difficulties. There can and sale would be carried out be no doubt that the author to a very high standard. has meticulously probed the George Woodroffe Goyder records, Goyder and his Line was Surveyor General of South Something of a polymath, being the topic of her Deakin Australia for 33 years, and a he was highly respected, University PhD in 2000, but measure of the man can be his expertise and interests at the end it all Goyder the gauged from the numerous extending to weather and private man remains elusive. references to him which climate, mining, railways, continue to the present. artesian bores, forestry and Given the dearth of the private Among other things, we have a hydrological engineering. And record, this situation may South Australian electorate of his work was not confined to never change, but it does not Goyder (as does the Northern South Australia; Northern significantly detract from Territory), a regional council Territorians remember and the importance and worth of of Goyder, Goyder Highway, celebrate him as the founder of this work: it is well written, Goyder Lagoon, the Goyder Darwin. meticulously researched and Institute for Water Research, documented, much new Mt Woodroffe in the Musgrave Curiously, the most prominent material has been uncovered Ranges – South Australia’s scholarly researchers of Goyder and the analysis and discussion highest peak – and the list have come from outside South is first class. Which is not to say could go on. Most importantly, Australia, even if much of their the work is flawless – colour though, we have Goyder’s research has been conducted plates of some of the key early Line, his 1865 demarcation here. We can include in this the maps have not reproduced of the relatively reliable historical geographers Donald well, there are geographical agricultural lands of the south Meinig, Michael Williams, Joe slips which will raise eyebrows from the marginal cropping Powell and Les Heathcote. amongst those who know the country and pastoral lands to And now historian Janis regions well, there are some the north. It is Goyder and his Sheldrick, a lifelong resident minor errors of historical celebrated Line which are the of Melbourne, has joined the fact, and there is an editorial subjects of Janis Sheldrick’s ranks. Intrigued by the ruins mistake which confuses access scholarly biography Nature’s of stone farmhouses on the to the references by having the Line: George Goyder: surveyor, marginal limits of agriculture end notes chapter numbers out environmentalist, visionary. in South Australia, she began of synchrony with the titles.

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The sheer length of the work Appropriately, he starts with could only be found on the and density of detail will also how the several thousand edge of the crowded towns and discourage casual readers, but Enclosure Acts in Britain up cities, the concept developed from a scholarly perspective to 1844 deprived many small of providing a surrounding the detail is also the book’s farmers of their livelihood, ‘green belt’ between them and great strength. This is an obliging them to seek work in rural land beyond for public important study which lifts the new factories established in recreation. Johnson provides a our understanding of Goyder major towns in the course of good range of quotations from and his public achievements to the industrial revolution which relevant writings and speeches, new levels. It will undoubtedly got underway there c. 1790. as well as a selection of plans become the standard reference The ensuing overcrowding, that illustrate progressively the in the field for many years to pollution and poverty in sources and development of come. towns and cities led not only the concept. to increased crime (with Colin Harris PSM Just who was to provide this consequent overcrowding of green belt was initially unclear. Professional geographer, prisons) but to poor health, Adelaide As neither the ‘apathetic alcohol abuse, and calls for Crown, the uninterested increases in demands for aristocracy’ nor the central opportunities for recreation government in London was Donald Leslie Johnson, by the general public in ready to do so, it was left to Anticipating Municipal clean, open air spaces. It also public spirited citizens to act, Parks – London to Adelaide fuelled arguments in favour of either through the municipal to Garden City, Wakefield emigration, both of disposed councils they were now able to farmers but also convicts, elect, or by outright donations Press, Adelaide, 2013, pp. to unsettled land in British 200, illus, rrp $29.95. of land. Johnson not only colonies overseas. traces how the first public Johnson traces in considerable parks were created in Britain, detail how persons such but also includes a selection of as John Claudius Loudon, plans that were used to inspire through his monthly the design of park lands in Gardener’s Magazine (starting new cities – especially in the in 1826), and a range of other colonies where the land had diverse reformers collectively not already been settled. generated a compelling case for the provision of park Most plans formulated for lands within or immediately new towns contained large surrounding towns and cities. public squares (or rectangles), Their arguments fortunately which Johnson argues were coincided with the wider inspired by an analysis of reformist movement in Britain Renaissance town plans. These Donald Johnson, an Adjunct that resulted in the Electoral idealised plans showed formal Professor of Architectural Reform Act of 1832 and squares at or near the centre History at the University of the Abolition of Slavery Act of a city, viewed from broad Adelaide, has brought his in 1833. In that same year, axial avenues as focal points life’s research, writing and a select committee of the and used for civic gatherings. teaching together to support British Parliament produced Most were surrounded by his assertion that the park a report which spoke of the government buildings for city lands that surround Adelaide need to provide public walks functions, and a church. were the forerunners to the in the fresh air, especially Perhaps the most valuable provision of municipal parks for working class people and contribution Johnson makes worldwide. the urban poor. As such land is his thorough investigation

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of the writings, arguments and subsequently towns within along the Hawkesbury River public debates of a wide variety the State, although regrettably (as well as Liverpool) in 1811 of reformers including Robert he does not demonstrate this. – most of which gradually Owen, Jeremy Bentham and In the course of asserting evolved into each town’s major a host of others (cited in pp. the impact of this concept park. All this occurred a quarter 21-24) who helped shape the overseas, he tends to overstate of a century before the park conceptual climate in which that influence. He claims, for land plans for Adelaide were the plan for Adelaide was example, that Adelaide was finalised in London, let alone formulated. In addition to the first colonial settlement pegged out in the following Loudon, Johnson attributes to provide park lands and a two years. major inputs by George botanic garden open to all In the light of the above, as a Kingston, John Roebuck, the public. He adds that: ‘The colleague has remarked to me, Edward Wakefield and several English-speaking world took Johnson was perhaps a little others who worked on it in note, and followed’ (p.15). too determined to claim firsts, 1835 at Adelphi Terrace in This somewhat ‘campanellistic’ when to be among the first London. claim needs some qualification. would have sufficed. A considerable amount Without going into too much According to the recent of Johnson’s research was detail here, I did note in my AGHS Journal,1 Johnson’s devoted to identifying just recent book Town Parks of book ‘brings together much how ‘uniquely unqualified’ Lt NSW that, in fact, six village that the author has previously Colonel William Light was for commons were proclaimed published in disparate sources his position of surveyor general, around the periphery of but with the benefit of and how slight and ineffectual as early as 1804 by Governor considerable reflection and his contribution was to the King; also that Governor the chance in book-length actual laying out of the new Macquarie proclaimed the treatment to do his subject settlement. He contrasted this first Sydney Common (Hyde justice’. Overall, his book is to the enormous and energetic Park) for public use in 1810, an admirable, sustained and contribution made by Kingston followed by the much larger valuable work, summating at and a small group of surveyors Second Sydney Common in 83 his life’s research. It is easy who pegged out the park lands 1811 to the south-east of the to read because of its slightly on the ground in Adelaide the city (used mainly for various chatty style, as if addressing following year. It was mostly types of recreation). and seeking to win over a group due to their sustained efforts Macquarie also established a of post-graduate architects and that provision for park lands Botanic Garden within the town planners to his beliefs and around the outer boundaries Governor’s (inner) Domain as claims. That a few may be over- of the new town were achieved, early as 1816 (which approved, stated, others perhaps a bit and were defended against genteel folk could visit). parochial, is a little surprising, encroachment by private (Adelaide’s botanic garden was given the remarkable width interests. Johnson does note only finally opened on its fifth of his reading and research (and regret), however, the later site in 1855.) Then, in 1829, internationally. For me, this inroads made on these park Governor Darling issued an does not diminish enjoyment lands, particularly along the order to open up the outer of it – his passion for his southern banks of the River Domain to the general public, subject is engaging. Torrens by the government which – after the provision Although his book may not administration. of necessary roads and paths readily appeal to the general Johnson goes on to examine the – they visited from 1831. reader, it will be of considerable influence which the provision Meanwhile, Macquarie had interest and value to urban of a belt of park lands around seen to it that market squares planners, academic researchers Adelaide had on the design of were provided for the public into park land development, nearby villages (slight), and in all the new towns he created those park managers interested

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in parkland theory and Philip Jones with the external surface of some background, and assorted Warlukurlangu Artists, thirty doors around the school historians and researchers. Behind the Doors: an art buildings as an educational Apart from my own book history from Yuendumu, medium for the children and on town parks of New South South Australian Museum uninitiated young men. In Wales, I am not aware of other 1995 and Wakefield Press, books which have attempted Museum negotiated with the such a broad, conceptual Adelaide, 2014, pp. 212, 193 community for the purchase coverage for park creation illus, rrp. $44.95. and conservation of the doors. within Australia. Johnson’s The following year a selection focus is principally on Adelaide of the doors was shown at the (although he claims its Adelaide Festival, and in 1999 influence overseas), while mine The Yuendumu Doors became covers the whole of NSW and the subject of a travelling examines at least 60 significant exhibition. parks there, in some detail, This is not the first survey of the and with many illustrations. Yuendumu doors; in 1987 on Perhaps if landscape historians behalf of Warlukurlangu Artists from other states also trace the then Australian Institute of the creation and evolution of Aboriginal Affairs published public parks in theirs, it will Kuruwarri – Yuendumu doors, be possible for a broad-ranging In 1946 Yuendumu, north- a bilingual description with academic eventually to distil an west of Alice Springs, like the photographs by Gerry Orkin, Australia-wide story. I suspect better known Papunya further these last an invaluable aid for the Adelaide experiment may to the west, was established the conservation work carried prove to be the exception as a government controlled out over a number of years by rather than the model Johnson settlement largely for Warlpiri ArtLab in Adelaide. claims. speakers. While Papunya, This earlier descriptive Warwick Mayne- dominated by Pintupi and Anmatjera became famous as publication has been Wilson incorporated by Philip Heritage Landscape the birth-place in 1971 of the acrylic painting movement Jones in the current Consultant under the tutelage of Geoffrey study, supplemented by a 1 Journal of the Australian Garden Bardon, Yuendumu followed commentary on the complex History Society, Vol. 25, no.2. a decade later, and in 1986 process of their creation, the Warlukurlangu Artists was conflicting bids as to their established. In contrast to future and their near fate of Papunya, from the beginning being painted over as part women played a key role, and of the regular maintenance it was their earnings which led contract – as indeed had to their purchase of a Toyota happened with the iconic four-wheel drive – essential in Honey Ant Dreaming scene at the continued visits to their Papunya in 1974. ancestral lands. In 1984 with Indeed, it is a pity that Jones the encouragement of the did not offer a fuller account of then school principal, Terry the delicate, indeed sensitive, Davies, five senior Warlpiri negotiations between the men, Paddy Japaljarrii Stewart, South Australian Museum and Paddy Jupurrula Nelson, the Yuendumu community led Paddy Japaljarri Sims and by Paddy Japaltjarri Stewart, RoyJupurrula, Curtis painted who resisted the Doors being

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sold to a private collector. by Kintore Avenue and North R.M.Gibbs, Under the The harmony in which the Terrace – what should be Burning Sun: a history of transfer to Adelaide of the conserved and what removed. colonial South Australia, Doors seems in contrast with So too with the Yuendumu 1836-1900, Southern what has recently happened in Doors, which over a period of Heritage, Adelaide, 2013, putting together the Songlines twelve years became a handy pp. viii + 678, rrp $85.00. exhibition based on the art bill-board for contemporary of the Pitjantatjara in the commentary. As with historic far north of South Australia. buildings the Doors did not Perhaps Jones’s background remain static in time – or use. in law with a continuing Jones notes that the translation concern in history – he is not of the Doors from ephemeral an anthropologist as he has teaching aids to art works is of recently been dubbed – was course foreign to the original not given full rein. role of ground painting and Be that as it may, there are body designs out of which the many thoughtful topics which acrylic painting movement was demonstrate that you do not born. The decision to retain need to be trained as an art some of the graffiti I am sure historian in order to offer was the correct one and might telling comments on aspects have been seen as an invitation of the visual and which could to revisit the continuing Within the last decade histories have made a publication on debate as to what constitutes have been published of all the their own. Just one example art within contemporary Australian States except for is the meaning of the typically Indigenous society. South Australia. More’s the multivalent Kuruwarri as used It remains only to welcome pity, because South Australia in the title of the earlier study this publication and the has been the venue for two of the Yundumu Doors. opportunity that has been of Australia’s most important regional histories, Douglas Today it seems to refer to the given to reproduce again Garry Orkin’s photographic survey of Pike’s Paradise of Dissent (1957) distinctive designs that mark and John Hirst’s Adelaide a particular painting, and 1984 augmented by Michel Kluvanek’s images. The book and the Country 1870-1917 in 1987 it was translated as (1973). ‘designs’ and often refers to the forms an attractive package distinctive dotting technique and the quality of printing – Few would deny that South which was the virtual trade in China of course – certainly Australian history offers mark of the earlier work matches that by the Griffin significant variations on from the Centre. Certainly Press who were responsible for many major themes dear to the late Eric Michaels in the earlier work. Australian historians. The only Australian colony founded on characteristically dismissive J. V. S. Megaw systematic principles, the least mode would have none of it, Flinders University and yet it can be seen how in directly affected by convict many paintings the dots are an transportation and the gold- essential part of the painting of rushes, the most Protestant in its settler population, and an early country. laboratory for social reforms One of the most complex such as the enfranchisement issues in the conservation of of women, South Australia the Doors reminds one of the offers a stimulating challenge debates over the restoration to enterprising historians; and rebuilding of the Museum but until now none has come Precinct in Adelaide bounded forward to respond.

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Now we have a rejoinder, and Australia has been unique Arthur James Russell it is a hefty one, weighing in among the Australian states in Davidson, From Private at rather more than 300 000 that historical research in the to Captain in the 17th th words and covering only the first half of the 20 century Battalion, 1915-1919: letters th 19 century. Yet the content owed much to the initiative of from Gallipoli to Amiens is muscle rather than fat. R. geographically trained scholars compiled by his daughter M. Gibbs has spent many such as Grenfell Price. The years researching and writing Royal Geographic Society Daphne Elliott, Digital on South Australian history, of South Australia for many Print, Adelaide, 2013, pp. and the result is evident in the years outshone the historical 316, rrp. $38.50. forty-two pages of reference societies. A staple theme for notes. He must have read all Gibbs is agriculture and its the relevant sources including impact on the environment, comprehensive browsing in and he has some interesting the rural press. Everything observations to make about from Primitive Methodism the fortunes of ‘Goyder’s line’. to prostitution is here, even He is also a perceptive social an entry in the index for the historian, not content with the Islington sewage works. old cliché about Adelaide as ‘a city of churches’. And he guides It might be feared that this us with a cool eye through the would result in an avalanche political changes of the period, of facts, but Gibbs has with some judicious comments controlled his material by on personalities such as Henry organising it into what is in Ayers and Charles Kingston. As its title suggests, From effect a series of essays linked Private to Captain is a collection But it is a very big book; too in a broad but not pedantic of letters sent from Arthur big to read in bed or to fit chronological sequence. Thus James Russell Davidson to his easily into the saddlebags of a South Australia’s Aboriginal parents during the First World university student. We are still population receive attention War. The letters have been much in need of an overview at the time of first contact – as compiled by his daughter, taking us over the whole is now standard procedure for Daphne Elliott, and they track range of South Australian regional histories – but instead Davidson’s war experience history. Meanwhile Gibbs has of disappearing from the later from his enlistment in rendered a valuable service by phases of the narrative they are Sydney through to his service providing us with a reliable given sustained consideration Gallipoli and later in France, and readable work of reference, in at least two later phases of culminating at the conclusion often suggesting new ways of the story, with illuminating of the war. consequences. Who would looking at the evidence, and have realised that in 1894 offering the indispensablePersonal narratives (letters and Aboriginal women were starting point for any future diaries) are, in the absence eligible for the vote in South research on South Australia in of any living memory, the th Australia, if only by accident the 19 century. only way that we can arrive rather than design? at conclusions as to how the Geoffrey Bolton war affected the daily lives If we seek a leitmotif for this Murdoch University of the soldiers who took part history, it will be found in in it. As such this book is a the title. Under a Burning valuable contribution to the Sun suggests a focus on the understanding of Australia’s response of European settlers First World War. One of the to their environment, and this downsides of reading someone should not be surprising. South else’s mail is that it is often

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full of references to people Anzacs use such narratives to Bob Petersen, Way College: the reader does not know, nor paint pictures of how the war 1892-1903, Bernard is the relationship they have impacted on the lives of young Whimpress, Sydney, 2013, with the letter’s author always Australian service people. pp. 220, rrp. $60, including clear. This is especially true of Those two authors analysed postage, available from the war letters, as the soldiers used large collections of personal author. their letters home as a bridge narratives to find evidence to normality and a reminder of key points and build a of a better life. Elliott, to her strong narrative that explained credit, has done a good job something vital in Australian in explaining some of these history. relationships and filling in To be fair to Elliott, she has not those gaps for her readers. attempted to emulate those Though Arthur James Russell great works, nor claimed to do Davidson’s length of service so. Instead she has faithfully and climb through the ranks transcribed the letters of her from Private to Captain are father. She has provided good extraordinary, in most other explanatory notes on those respects his story seems typical letters and in doing so has of many Australian soldiers. given her readers access to a His letters reveal, as many valuable primary source in a letters from this period do, a way that goes beyond donating For a short time at the end of great concern with maintaining the originals to an archive. To the nineteenth century, Way the normality of relationships lay readers though, I wonder College was at the forefront at home, mixed with an if that will be enough. The of advanced education for almost casual acceptance letters are not exciting enough boys and young men in South of the death and wounding to be read casually or for Australia. It was experimental of close acquaintances. I curiosity, and the narrative in but thoroughly practical. On a wonder though if Davidson’s the letters is not strong enough level with St Peter’s and Prince ‘normalness’ is detrimental to to keep the reader interested in Alfred College, it was however the book, with which despite someone who arguably lived a within the grasp of aspiring its interesting subject matter it very interesting life. middle-class parents. Yet who is at times difficult to remain David Brooks today knows that the school engaged. Local History Officer ever existed? Only perhaps in family oral histories has the One of the more appealing City of Tea Tree Gully name lingered, and among aspects of the historiography of historians who recall that Australia in the First World War the former site of Annesley is that, almost from the outset, College was once the home of it was primarily concerned Way College. Bob Petersen’s with the soldier in the trench concise, self-published, history or behind the gun rather than of the short but brilliant Way grand strategy or military College career should be technique. The personal examined closely by all who narratives of soldiers have are interested in the history of provided Australia with some education in South Australia – of the best examples of works and beyond. on the Australian experience of the First World War. Bill In 1880s South Australia, the Gammage’s The Broken Years Bible Christian denomination and Patsy Adam Smith’s The was one of the colony’s fastest

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growing church groups. with a curriculum expected catered for with the inclusion Census figures show an increase to turn out the colony’s next of an alphabetical list of some of 50% in its membership generation of successful one thousand boys who were between 1881 and 1891, and businessmen – together with a students at the school, as well an even greater increase up to handful of ordained ministers as a staff list. 1901. With such growth rates, on the side. Aside from those interested the issues for its adherents The book is fascinating. It in the history of Adelaide were how to provide locally touches on a multitude of and education, Way College trained ministers to lead historic moments, beliefs, and also records some of the and consolidate the growing events. It is doubly fascinating childhood world of the young congregations, nourish the for having been written by men who lived through the Bible Christian ethos, and a researcher from outside South African (Boer) War prevent the loss of members the cosy confines of South and later the First World to other churches. The idea of Australia, who has been able War. Less laudatory aspects establishing a denominational to look at an aspect and period of activities on the homefront secondary college for these of South Australia’s history during the First World War are purposes was floated as early as with genuine detachment. The foreshadowed in the author’s 1877. day-to-day running of a large discussion of reactions to the Although the Bible Christians Adelaide day and boarding strong ‘German’ element in were one of the earliest school catering to a wide cross- the school. Headmaster Torr’s Christian groups to recognise section of young men and boys knowledge of German teaching female preachers, the aim in is usefully detailed, reflecting philosophies, and in particular this case was to establish a the years of research that went the affair involving visiting college that would combine into the book. gymnastics master, Herr Hugo training of male pastors with Bob Petersen put almost thirty Leschen, documents one early the general education of young years into researching the expression of anti-German men. However, as Dr Petersen intricacies of Way College, its sentiment. points out, the idea did not find founders, staff and students. This is a deceptively wide financial support among Significantly, he has placed the unassuming-looking book. individual congregations and work firmly within a broad The history of an obscure members, so fund-raising for view of nineteenth century and long-defunct school the venture was a slow process. educational techniques might potentially have had a A key to the eventual success and systems, calling on his limited readership. However, of the college was the selection lifetime of teaching in the field Bob Petersen has successfully of the gifted young teacher, education history. While his recreated the fascinating and William Torr, who in this terms of reference are mostly forward-thinking, but sadly instance combined the role of detailed within the text, purists short-lived, Way College headmaster and governor. and others (occasionally within its broader and The choice of a non-ordained including myself) will equally fascinating social and man as headmaster was also lament the deliberate lack geographical context. of conventional footnoting, a departure from tradition. Anthony Laube bibliography or indexing. Prior to the opening of the State Library of South school in 1892, Torr had Occasionally I found myself Australia travelled the world examining wanting to know more about a systems of practical education particular reference. Petersen’s for young men. On his return focus on physical education Way College was opened, and activity reflects his keen and Torr made the school a interest in Australian sports unique venture. It combined history. Family historians practical, vocational education and biographers have been

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Greg Taylor, Sir Richard in the new settlement, Hanson ordered all settlers to obey the Hanson, The Federation abandoned plans to emigrate administration established in Press, Sydney, 2013, pp. ix + to it and, in August 1838, Auckland under Governor 244, illus. rrp $64.95. joined the ‘shady entourage’ Hobson. Hanson formed his that had accompanied the own private whaling enterprise, Earl of Durham, sent to pacify engaged in disputes with other rebellious colonists in Lower settlers, began to champion the and Upper Canada (now land rights of the Maori and Quebec and Ontario). yet, within a year, proposed After three months in Britain’s leaving and trying to establish remaining North American a better paradise in Chile! colonies, Hanson re-crossed Nevertheless, after resigning the Atlantic and wrote a paper from the New Zealand (on the lands that had been Company, in September 1841 granted for the support of the he accepted appointment Church of England). It was as a Crown Prosecutor. The published as part of the first salary was £200 a year, but he appendix to Durham’s report, gained a concurrent right of and he drafted another (on the private practice in the Court outcome of lands granted to of Quarter Sessions, opened This is the first book-length war veterans) also included in in the following month. life of Hanson (1805-1876), that appendix. He failed to secure election a figure familiar to students to Wellington’s first local of South Australia’s past Hanson’s contacts with government authority, but because of his early support Wakefield and Durhamsupported the foundation of a for ‘systematic colonisation’ prompted him to accept, in Mechanics Institute. August 1839, a post in the and later work in Adelaide: as In 1844 he ceased to prosecute New Zealand Company, first a public servant, constitution- after taking the lower-paid formed in 1825 with Durham maker, parliamentarian, post of Crown Solicitor for cabinet minister and chief (at that stage still called John the southern district. But his justice. The author, Greg George Lambton MP) as its private practice did not grow Taylor, who studied and later head. Hanson arrived at Port because he fell foul of the first lectured in the Adelaide Law Nicholson (Wellington) in puisne judge of the Supreme School, is now an associate January 1840. Taylor devotes Court of New Zealand, professor of law at Monash fifty-two pages to Hanson’s Henry Samuel Chapman, who University and an honorary six and a half years in the severely reprimanded him for professor of the University of Shaky Isles. His activities there disputing a decision. included: speculating in land Marburg, Germany. Diligent Because he also became research has enabled him to and the company’s shares, selling land on the company’s disgusted by the zeal of a shed new light on Hanson’s new Governor, George Grey origins, schooling, training behalf and choosing locations for other investors as their (demoted from South Australia in the law, short spells of to New Zealand) in directing practice as an attorney, forays agent, producing a newspaper and practising law. military operations against into journalism, active interest rebel Maori chiefs, Hanson in the Wakefieldians and He became vice-president of decided to move to Adelaide his contributions to their a settlers’ committee formed in the winter of 1846. As his early planning for a new to promulgate ordinances, South Australian career is kind of colony on Australia’s raise taxes and organize more widely known it needs southern coast. After defence of the settlement. no further summary here. The unsuccessful efforts to secure The British Colonial Office book advances understanding appointment as chief justice would have none of that, and of it.

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Like many biographers, Taylor Again, it is unfortunate that like the chief justices in all has become an advocate for Taylor studied Hanson’s life other Australian colonies, be his subject. That invites a experiences in isolation. Not appointed a knight. Taylor continuing conversation with all were unique. Here too, has not noticed that Mr any who consider some of one example must suffice. Justice Montagu, in Van Hanson’s achievements over- In 1851 Hanson married his Diemen’s Land, and Mr Justice rated, or find at least some housekeeper. Her parents, Lutwyche, in Queensland, merit in groups and individuals Taylor has shown, had been were similarly, and equally who disagreed with his stance miserably poor. Yet that fact unfairly, ostracised by ‘society’ on particular matters. This was known in Adelaide. in those colonies, and for applies to the whole of the considerably longer periods subject’s career. When a new governor, Sir than Hanson was in Adelaide, Dominick Daly, took up office because they too had married To take but one example, in 1862, he learnt that Mrs Hanson’s contributions to their housekeepers (in 1832 Hanson had been ‘excluded and 1855 respectively). Appendix A of the Durham from Government House’ by Report, 1839, had dealt only his predecessor (Sir Richard This failure to give the broader with minor issues. Yet Taylor MacDonnell). Daly himself context is a pity, because it is revives the hoary old chestnut, explained to London that historically significant that the which even Douglas Pike had he could not recommend scorning of those judges by swallowed, that Hanson was that Chief Justice Hanson be latter-day Pharisees explains ‘privileged to be associated’ commissioned to administer why the young Samuel Way with that inquiry. Pike, like (who was to be Chief Justice many mid-twentieth-century the government in the absence, of South Australia from 1876 historians, had accepted illness or death of the governor to 1916), on making a servant the pronouncement of Sir because of ‘his wife’s social Reginald Coupland, Beit position’. in his parents’ household pregnant in the late 1850s, professor of colonial history For many decades, such a at Oxford from 1920, that bowed to the advice of his marriage was commonly styled father, Bible Christian minister the Durham Report was ‘the a mésalliance. But to prudes Magna Carta of the second James Way, that he would amongst the nobs and snobs, forever blight his prospects if British Empire’. marrying one’s housekeeper he married the girl. More thorough and recent was far more scandalous than research, however, has shown marrying someone from an The source of this anecdote, Sir that Durham cannot be impoverished family, because George Murray, Way’s executor credited with suggesting the of all-too-quick assumptions and his successor as Chief inauguration of ‘responsible that the housekeeper must have Justice, also revealed two other government’ in the settlement been her groom’s concubine! things that few today know. colonies, for he had not only Daly, to his credit, found First, to restore the standing avoided use of that term Mrs Hanson charming and of the girl and her lover in but had also recommended above reproach. He ignored the eyes of the Almighty, the strictly limited colonial bluff and bluster from the Reverend Mr Way solemnised self-government, including likes of Sir James Fisher, (Sir) their union, secretly, in his the reservation of the vital , (Sir) George home, but enjoined Samuel questions of tariffs andKingston and George Hawker that he could never contract the disposal of colonial and made Mrs Hanson a most another marriage why she public lands to the imperial welcome visitor at Government lived. Second, that was the government. See the post-1970 House functions. Yet it took reason why Samuel did works cited at the end of Ged him five years to remedy the not wed the mother of his Martin’s life of Durham in the impact earlier slanders had subsequent children (sired, Oxford Dictionary of National wrought in Britain’s Colonial born and reared in Tasmania Biography (2004). Office, so that Hanson could, or Melbourne), and did not

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contract a public marriage Frank Van Straten, Her performers over the life of this until he was aged 62. Majesty’s Pleasure: a great and noble old house, Taylor’s prose is often centenary celebration for Mr Van Straten’s accuracy is disconcerting. Readers Adelaide’s theatre of the breathtaking. Given that Mr accustomed to biographies stars, Wakefield Press, Van Straten is a Melburnian adds to his achievement in written by historians trained Adelaide, 2013, pp. 176, documenting Adelaidean to ground their narratives on illus. rrp $39.95, hb. verifiable data will be puzzled history. This is not, alas, the by the extent of his indulgence case with the Melbourne in speculation. Even if most author Dino Hodge whose of his guesses are plausible, sexual biography of Don their frequency makes them Dunstan is much troubled by tiresome, especially when errors of fact, accuracy and expressions such as the taste. Get it right. following flow at a rate of up Happily, Mr Van Straten’s to five per page: ‘it seems’, book has little to trouble ‘perhaps he had some anxiety’, the pedantic. There are ‘he might have offended’, ‘his three errors; songstress Julie family may have benefited’, Anthony is from Galga not or ‘outsider status must have Lameroo, erstwhile critic James been impressed upon Hanson’. We must read theatrical Mullighan’s name is misspelled, Taylor also likes the royal history under limelight. It and my debut as The Artful plural. It may be tolerable, needs a pervasive sense of the Dodger in Oliver! was in 1971 even if unusual, to use ‘We’ to immediacy of the theatre; not 1972. Fiddlededee... mean ‘You, dear reader, and I, illusive and ephemeral. A The achievement of this book your author’ have ‘observed’ sense of ‘Overture! Beginners is vast, joyful and remarkable. something or other in an earlier please!’, of the hush as the Frank Van Straten reminds chapter of the present work. It houselights dim and just before is less patronising, and more the curtain rises, the smell of theatre-goers of the panoply helpful to those who may have the greasepaint and the roar of of history in this seminal failed to register a detail they the crowd. Theatrical history Adelaide theatre from its have not grasped as significant must include a cavalcade of vaudeville Valhalla as the Tivoli at its first mention, to write: troupers, the fashion of the and the Prince Of Wales, to its ‘As has been mentioned on boulevard outside, the shifting incarnation as Her Majesty’s, p. 69’, or whatever. Even so, heart of show business and owned and operated by the the book’s contributions to must recreate magic itself. largest theatrical empire in the world (J.C. Williamson), knowledge make it worth Frank Van Straten is Australia’s reading. whence it presented the finest theatre historian. His apotheosis of commercial P. A. Howell Her Majesty’s Pleasure is an theatre and cultural cringe, Flinders University excellent, vibrant, compelling, the ill-designed renovation as comprehensive and exquisitely the Opera Theatre as welcome detailed popular history (is home for the State Opera of there any other kind?) of Her SA and its rebadging as ‘The Majesty’s Theatre in Grote Maj’ again to a plea from its Street, Adelaide. It is published greatest, most regular and by the invaluable Wakefield durable star and drawcard Press for the centenary of the , who appeals theatre in 2013. for a return to its Edwardian Considering the book includes splendour replete with the many thousands of shows and ‘gods’ resurrected. In reference

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to the $500m recently spent on week. Here for Frank Van the renovation of the Adelaide Straten’s artists is a richer dust Oval, Mr Humphries opines indeed. Her Majesty’s Pleasure of the theatre that, ‘Sadly it demands the customary is not a sporting venue and theatrical ovation; ‘Bravo!’ cannot hope for government And thanks for the use of the munificence’. hall. Her Majesty’s Pleasure is beautifully written in its Peter Goers loves the theatre anecdotage (sic), lavishly and never comes late. He has illustrated and superbly been going to Her Majesty’s indexed. It is a handsome book Theatre since 1968 and has to proudly hold. also performed there. Peter Built a year after the Titanic is an ABC radio broadcaster, sank, this grand old theatre Sunday Mail columnist, with ghosts and plush seems and former Historian of the flesh and blood in Mr Van Performing Arts Collection Straten’s purview. The players of SA. strut their hour upon this stage yet again; Mo, George Wallace, Sir Harry Lauder, W. C. Fields, Peter Dawson introducing his new song ‘The Mallee Root’, and all the terrific tatterdemalion of vaudeville including Ted MacDonald ‘The Man With A Hundred Mouth Organs’ and Captain Miller and his performing cockatoos. Here aviator Captain Sir Ross Smith and his crew are welcomed home. Here Hair! and there the Public Service Revue tread the same boards as theatrical knights; John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Michael Redgrave. Here the greats of the Australian musical comedy stage; , Toni Lamond, Nancye (sic) Hayes. Here Leo McKern, Keith Michell, , Gordon Chater and as in ‘sit in the bath til your googie withers’. Here is the rich fabric of our theatrical life eight shows a

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