Experimental Gentlemen exhibition

Discover colonial Australia through the eyes of the artists that were there. Experimental Gentlemen, is an exhibition at The Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne, until 25 September 2011.

The 18th century term describing wealthy young virtuosi like Joseph Banks or Charles Darwin, who travelled the world in search of adventure and novelty were ‘experimental gentlemen. Artworks, books and photographs from the Sir Russell and Lady Mab Grimwade Collection of colonial treasures displayed at The Potter help to recreate wonder and awe that inspired explorers and adventurers from over 150 years ago.

Robert Havell and Robert Dale,

‘Panoramic view of King Georges Sound, part of the colony of Swan River’ (detail),

1834; steel engraving, aquatint and watercolour on three sheets; 18 x 271.4 cm.

The University of Melbourne Art Collection 

William Strutt

born Teignmouth, Devon, England, 1825; died Wadhurst, Sussex, England, 1915

Bushrangers, Victoria, Australia 1852 1887

oil on canvas

75.7 x 156.6 cm

The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Gift of the Sir Russell and Mab Grimwade Bequest, 1973

Goodman Teale artist

born 1819; died Kyneton, Victoria, 1885

Nathaniel Whitlock engraver

active London c. 1830–1860

The city of Melbourne, Australia 1855

engraving and watercolour

29.1 x 53.4 cm

The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Gift of the Sir Russell and Mab Grimwade Bequest, 1973

ISSUE # 4 COMPETITION GIVEAWAYS

Don't miss out on our giveaways! There are 2 great prizes up for grabs!

SO, WHAT CAN YOU WIN?!

[1]  Notorious Australian Women by Kay Saunders

Read about some of our famous (and infamous) women…

Bushrangers, cross-dressers and escaped convicts — Kay Saunders’ latest book Notorious Australian Women takes a look at some of the less than conventional ladies of Australia’s past. Resourceful, cunning, ruthless or ambitious, these gals snubbed the cultural norms of the colony and forged their own paths — for wealth, equal rights or even just their basic freedoms. Inside History is giving away five copies of this fantastic book to some of our lucky readers. As Saunders explains in her interview (see page 13), when researching your family history, context is everything. Don’t miss out on a tell-tale glimpse into the colonial conditions women, and quite possibly your own ancestors, were faced with.

To enter, send your name and contact details to Inside History, Notorious Australian Women Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm, June 28, 2011.

[2]  Win one of five copies of Unlock the Past’s latest publication!

Unlock the Past has released the first Australian and New Zealand History and Genealogy directory — and to celebrate Inside History is giving away five copies to our readers! This inaugural annual edition features 300 beautiful colour pages jam-packed with fantastic resources, including a products, services and organisations directory, 66 new research articles and more than $700 worth of vouchers. Topics explored in this edition include practical tips for writing and researching family history, as well as a wealth of new and exciting sources available for you to access. This book is a must-have for any passionate historian’s bookshelf.

To enter, send your name and contact details to Inside History, Unlock the Past Giveaway, PO Box 406 Erskineville NSW 2043 or email cass@insidehistory.com.au by 5pm, June 28, 2011

Save 25% off self publishing with Blurb

Subscribe to Inside History now and get 25% off at Blurb!

Want to create a book about your family tree? Or perhaps your local history society? Get creative, and save 25%, thanks to Blurb. With prices from $3.50, the possibilities are endless!

To take up this offer, simply subscribe to Inside History by 5pm, 1st December, 2011, and we’ll send you a voucher code to claim your discount! Self publish your family history today.

Learn more about Blurb at http://au.blurb.com

Terms and conditions:
Promotion code is for one use only. Voucher is for books created by you, the author. Offer not valid for non-authored bookstore purchases or gift cards. Total value of promotion does not include shipping. 

Issue 4 is out now!

In our May/June edition (issue 4):

• We're celebrating Australia's first superstar - Dame Nellie Melba! It's the 150th anniversary of our covergirl, and we look at how she became an international sensation 
• Learn how to find an elusive maiden name of an ancestor
• Discover how to get more information out of death certificates
• How state teachers' records can be a genealogy goldmine
• Read about the mythical monsters that scared our ancestors silly

And there's much more - in fact, 76 pages of terrific features, practical information on family tree research, chances to network with other genealogists, competitions and product reviews.

Issue # 4 is available online now and will be in newsagents nationally from Wednesday, 18th May 2011.

Melba as Manon in the opera, Manon

May 19 marks the 150th anniversary of Dame Nellie Melba’s birth. In issue 4, out now, Sue Thompson, from Lilydale & District History Society, looks at the soprano’s pioneering spirit in all things musical. Here, we offer a peak at some of the wonderful images that have survived of Australia's first superstar. All images courtesy Pamela, Lady Vestey and Lilydale & District History Society.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Inside History!

Roses, chocolates and a cup of tea… what better way is there to spend this Sunday if you’re a mum?!

Enter Inside History’s terrific Mother’s Day giveaway, and this lovely giftbox from Roses Only could be winging its way to your house or your mum's (don’t forget grandma!) this weekend. All you need to do is tweet this blog post and reference @insidehistory, or like us on Facebook, by 5pm (EST), May 5 and you’ll go into the draw!

Terms and conditions: Entrants need to tweet this blog post or like us on Facebook by 5pm (EST) May 5, 2011, to go into the draw. For those tweeting, remember to add @insidehistory so we can see your tweet! Delivery of the giftbox will be made on or before Sunday May 8, depending on recipient's address. Open to Australian residents only, aged 18 and over.

In Their Footsteps: Sneak peek