Our world-renowned Mitchell Library opened its doors on 9 March, 1910 – yes 100 years ago. During 2010 they are celebrating one hundred years of collecting, collections and service to the people of NSW and Australia. And
100 of Australia's most surprising, significant and intriguing objects from the Mitchell collection have been released in a must-see exhibition, ONE hundred. See 100 intriguing objects over 100 days! ONE hundred, is a free exhibition, at State Library Galleries, 9 March – 16 June 2010. Prepare to be amazed by the immense breadth of the Mitchell's collection on display from maps to photos, paintings to tea leaves, stuffed birds to porcelain china and love letters to junk mail ranging in date from the 15th century to today. Each object tells a unique Australian story. Highlights include Joseph Banks Endeavour journal, the earliest photograph taken in Australia and the extraordinary Macquarie's collector chest ONE hundred is supported by 702 ABC Sydney and JCDecaux. For more details go to the State Library website:
http://www.onehundred.sl.nsw.gov.au/

Orange celebrated 150 years of service to the community last night with a special council meeting held at the historic town hall. The meeting marked 150 years – to the day – the formation of the Municipal Council of Orange. Orange and District Historical Society's Elizabeth Griffin gave an informative presentation with anecdotes (including that some meetings were later held at the Carrington Hotel). The press of the day reported “the councillors re-entered the court house with John Peisley Esq as their first chairman who was received with reiterated plaudits of the assembly. A general explanation of peace making followed and the party adjourned to Mr Councillor Hanrahan's Wellington Inn where mutual expressions and happy toast followed in rapid succession during a merry hour.” The Central Western Daily is publishing a feature each month tracing the city's development. To read about our first council check out the article:
http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/a-municipality-is-born/1754383.aspx

English novelist Jane Austen was born on this day (16 December) in 1775, the seventh of eight children of a clergyman in a country village in Hampshire, England.
Jane concealed her writing from most of her acquaintances, slipping her writing paper under a blotter when someone entered the room. Though she avoided society, she was charming, intelligent, and funny, and had several admirers. She actually accepted the marriage proposal of a well-off friend of her family's, but the next day withdrew her acceptance, having decided she could only marry for love. Her novels include Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). She died at age 42, of what may have been Addison's disease. She is one of a handful of authors to have found enduring popularity with both academic and popular readers.
Here are some amusing Austen quotes in honour of the anniversary of her birthday:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

“You have delighted us long enough.”

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.”

“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.”

“Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.”

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.

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.