Central West Libraries - Treasures

Orange Civic Theatre Festival Curtain - stories & memories

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:08:00 +1100

The Orange Civic Theatre Festival Curtain was made in 1983 by more than 300 volunteers from around the district. Orange City Council is calling upon anyone who may have assisted or knows someone that was involved in the project. Council wanted to record memories of the curtain. This is one way of keeping the history of the curtain alive. Stories are often lost when people pass away or the item is removed from its context. Council intends to record the stories on video. The curtain project was designed and directed by local artist, the late Cath Wyatt. It was a community craft project to celebrate the biennial Orange Festival of Arts. The work now forms a giant backdrop to the stage of the theatre and depicts the rural landscape of Orange. The curtain is made up of 30 panels. Anyone with information about the curtain can contact Alison Russell on 6393 8170 at Orange City Council.

Galileo Rare Book and Talk at Forbes with Paul Brunton

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:28:00 +1100

Galileo is one of the fathers of modern science. He was a physicist, mathematician, and astronomer and 2009 is the 400th anniversary of Galileo's development of the telescope and his first pointing it to the heavens with such earth-shattering results. His book Dialogo dei massimi sistemi (Dialogue on the two chief world systems), his celebrated defence of the Copernican system, was published in Florence in 1632. It led to his house arrest and the banning of his books in Italy. The only copy of this book in Australia is held by the State Library of New South Wales and it has never before left Sydney until now.......... You are invited to see this rare book and hear Paul Brunton, Senior curator from the State Library of NSW, speak at Forbes Library,Victoria Lane, Forbes on Friday 16 October at 1pm for a 1.15pm start. Please RSVP by calling the Library on 6852 1463. A concert featuring Paul Brunton and professional musicians from Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music performing Monteverdi (Heavenly Bodies Galileo and Monteverdi: A Feast of 17th Century Italian Genius) will also be held on Thursday 15 October at the Conservatorium at 7.30pm. For tickets ($35 Adults , $25 Concession) please contact Book City on 6393 1333. All funds raised will support the Conservatorium and Library. The rare Galileo Book will also be on display at Orange City Library on Thursday afternoon. Paul is pictured above with a rare Longitudes book.

Rare Books on Longitude and Talk Coming Up

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:44:00 +1100

Join Paul Brunton, Senior Curator, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW as he reveals the fascinating history of longitude. Learn about English clockmaker John Harrison who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time allowing navigators to accurately pin-point a ship's position. See three rare books published in 1763, 1765 and 1767 tracing Harrison's battles to have his amazing invention accepted. These books have been recently purchased by the State Library of NSW and go on public display for the first time. Orange City Library Thurs 26 February 12pm-1pm BYO Lunch Refreshments served Orange City Library Thurs 26 February 5.30pm for 6pm-7pm Refreshments served Please RSVP to 6393 8132. Cowra Library Friday 27 February 12pm 1pm BYO lunch Refreshments served Please RSVP to 6340 2180. Can you name the item pictured? It is a chronometer - John Harrison's invention.

Free Memory Box Workshop on Monday

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:01:00 +1100

Adults are invited to attend a free workshop with experienced artist Colin Jones, of Mudgee, to create their own memory box. Create a miniature world and learn basic exhibition construction skills using various techniques to create miniature worlds in defined spaces. This space is the 'box' and can vary in size as required and be made from any available material - recycled, of course. NetWaste and Orange City Council have organised this free workshop to be held on Monday, 19 January at the Environmental Learning Facility at Orange Showground, Leeds Parade from 1pm 4pm. Please book your place or ask for more information by calling Sue Clarke on 6393 8771 or 0400 336 508.