CHRISTMAS FRIENDSOn Friday 3 October, the Friends presented a very successful ‘white gloves evening’ at the National Library. The event was so-called because participants could actually get close to and handle items in the Library’s collection. The hands-on nature of the event required the use of white gloves, as material of this nature would usually only be displayed under glass. The subject of this particular experience was the Library’s vast and magnificent garden history collection, which includes botanical drawings, books, manuscripts and other fascinating items. Due to the success of the evening, the Friends are considering holding ‘white glove’ events annually, with various topics being considered.
Everyone knows that the National Library has plenty of books, the number now approaching eight million; what many may not know is that the Library also has an enormous collection of some six and a half million objects. Some are obscure and never see the light of day, but others are a collector’s dream come true. Fragility and rarity obviously make handling certain objects impossible, but some may make it to future ‘white glove’ events. Interesting items include: a tablecloth belonging to Napoleon; Billy Hughes’ false teeth; Ben Hall’s gun; the ashes of Thomas Ley; Kingsford-Smith’s fighter jacket complete with bullet hole; and a convict’s secondary punishment uniform. Who knows what may come out for ‘white gloves’ 2004? Friends should have received a notification in the mail for this year’s AGM. For any who might have missed out, the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the National Library of Australia Inc. will be held at 6.00 pm on Tuesday 9 December in the National Library Theatre, followed by the Friends’ Christmas Party. All members are encouraged to attend. Come and hear Chairman Russell Doust’s overview of the Friends’ activities during the year, get a preview of some of the events to come, and then please join us for some Christmas drinks following the meeting. In case you can’t make it, on behalf of the Committee I would like to wish all members and their families a safe and merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I look forward to seeing you next year. James Halligan |
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