More than 30 people attended Forbes Library recently to be among the first Australians to see a rare book by Galileo and hear Senior Curator Paul Brunton talk the book purchased by the State Library of NSW. Galileo was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who lived in Italy from 1564 to 1642. He is also regarded as the father of modern science for his improvements to the telescope and astronomical observations. The rare Galileo book is titled Dialogo dei massimi sistemi [Dialogue on the two chief world systems], Galileo's celebrated defence of the Copernican system, published in Florence in 1632. By casting Pope Urban VIII as the simple-minded Aristotelian Simplicius in the book, Galileo brought upon himself arrest, trial by the Inquisition and life imprisonment. The sentence was commuted to permanent house arrest, while the printing of any of his works was forbidden. Paul Brunton spoke about the origins of the book, how it was purchased and went into detail about Galileo's life. Surprisingly Galileo was not a rich man, despite his genius. Pictured above is: Barbara Cowled, Maud Morris and Glad Johnson from Jemalong Retirement Village, with Senior Curator of the State Library of NSW Mr Paul Brunton, at the talk and rare book display. Pictured below is the front of the book showing Aristotle, Ptolemy and Copernicus - note the candle burn on the side.

You are invited to join Central West Libraries and the Society of Australian Genealogists on a Lost in Black Sheep Family History Weekend to be held at the Orange Civic Theatre Forum, Byng Street, Orange on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2009. If your ancestors were 'black sheep' - divorced, destitute, or spent time in gaol or an asylum, they probably left behind a wonderful paper trail. Come along for the two day seminar featuring experts on State Records NSW, Divorce Records, Bankruptcy Records, Local Studies and Family History, Corrective Services, Greater Western Area Health Service and take a guided walking tour of Bloomfield Hospital and learn more about its records. Registration: $85 SAG members and Orange Family History Group Members; and $95 non-members includes two-day seminar, lunches & morning & afternoon teas. On the Saturday evening a casual dinner will be held for participants in a local restaurant in Orange. If you'd like to attend the dinner please let us know at the time of booking. Cost will be approx. $50 plus drinks per person, payable on the evening.

For more details and to book your place, please call (02) 9247 3953 or visit www.sag.org.au

The historic town of Forbes will be a hive of activity on Saturday when the town celebrates the Ben Hall Festival. A full program is available on the Forbes Council website www.forbes.nsw.gov.au. A highlight will be the Outlaw Spectacular in Victoria Park with live musical entertainment, historical re-enactments, bush poetry, folk artists, historical exhibitions, street theatre, historical tours and much more. It will take place in Victoria Park and surrounds from 12pm until 6pm, and the best part is most events are free. Children can also learn the history of bushrangers in the Forbes Library with the Bushranger Show taking place from 3pm. Enjoy!

Journalist and author Peter FitzSimons was in full storytelling mode as he told yarn after yarn at the Hotel Canobolas on Friday afternoon. Visiting Orange courtesy of Angus & Robertson and Orange City Library to launch his book Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men, the ex-Wallaby couldn't resist a few rugby tales, some choice French phrases, anecdotes from his experiences writing biographies and of course the amazing story of Smithy. Most of the large crowd took time out to enjoy lunch and had the opportunity to ask a few questions learning about his research and work on the book. Thank you to everyone who came along for a unique literary lunch in the pub.

Join Peter FitzSimons for a yarn at the Hotel Canobolas Front Bar, Summer Street, Orange on Friday 11 September at 12 noon for a 12.30pm start and hear about his latest book Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men. FitzSimons is a journalist with the Sun-Herald and Sydney Morning Herald and the author of nearly 20 books including Tobruk and Kokoda. He is a passionate Australian and is sure to tell a few funny stories along with the amazing tale of 'Smithy' - the greatest peacetime aviator of his generation. The visit is supported by Angus & Robertson Bookstore. No bookings required. And pictured is the book cover for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men.

Unfortunately we have had to postpone two events planned for History Week 2009 featuring author Pam McGlinn. The events were planned for Blayney Library on Thursday 10 September at 11.30am and Orange City Library at 6pm. Pam is not able to travel to the region at this time. It is hoped we can host Pam's visit next year. Thank you for your understanding.

Happy 212th anniversary birthday today (well technically August 30) to English writer, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Her Gothic novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus is considered her most famous work and created one of the world's best known monsters. She was inspired to write the work by a spontaneous creative writing competition during the rainy summer of 1816, in Lord Byron's Villa on the Lake Geneva. Frankenstein is not, as often assumed today, the name of the monster in the novel. The monster remains nameless. It is instead the name of the monster's creator - Victor Frankenstein - on whom the beast later takes revenge (because Victor Frankenstein would not create a mate for him). The story has become famous through numerous movies based on it with Boris Karloff most famous for playing the 1931 Hollywood version and it is the basis for a parody-character "Frank N Furter" in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mary Shelley was married to Percy B. Shelley, one of the most famous English romantic poets. So read her works or watch a scary movie to mark the occasion. Portrait: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, oil on canvas by Richard Rothwell, first exhibited 1840; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Orange Family History Group Vice President Shirley Duckworth presented Central West Libraries, Library Services Manager Jan Richards with a copy of the Orange and District Pioneer Register CD-Rom during National Family History Week. The CD is a compilation of Volumes I and II of the printed versions. The Pioneer Register records the families who contributed to the development of the area up until1888. The CD is available for purchase $20 per copy at Orange City Library. Pictured above is Jan Richards receiving a copy of the Pioneer Register CD Rom from Shirley Duckworth on behalf of the Orange Family History Group. Congratulations to all involved in this valuable project.