Showing 39 items matching dreamtime
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The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Precious Opal
In Australia, precious opal is found in Cretaceous age sandstones and mudstones. These sedimentary rocks were deeply weathered and this weathering released silica into the groundwater.Australia is the only part of the world where opalised animal and plant fossils have been found. Opal artefacts several thousands of years old have been discovered in East Africa. As early as 250 BC the Romans prized opals, thought to have come from mines in Eastern Europe, the ancient world's main source of opals. There are many aboriginal dreamtime stories that feature opal. Australian opals discovered during the late 1800's found little favour with European markets but their commercial value increased in the 1900's and in 1932 Australia took over as the major producer of opals in the world and remains the largest producer to this day. Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world's precious opal and it is our official national gemstone. Opal was first mined commercially at Listowel Downs in Queensland in 1875 and later at White Cliffs in NSW. Today, Coober Pedy (SA) is the main producer of white opal, though in recent years this field has expanded and all types of opals are found. Other centres in SA include Andamooka and Mintabe. Lightning Ridge (NSW) is renowned for black opal and formerly White Cliffs was a large producer of high quality opal. Boulder opals (opals in concretionary ironstone) are mined in Queensland from numerous localities in a zone extending from the Eulo and Cunnamulla district in the south and northwest for a distance of over 700 km to Kynuna in the north. The towns of Quilpie, Yowah and Winton are the main opal mining and wholesale centres. Opals are considered gemstones and have been used in jewellery for thousands of years.Throughout much of history, opals were actually believed to be good luck. The Romans thought that opals were one of the luckiest gemstones and a symbol of hope. In the Middle Ages, opals were believed to be bestowed with all the positive properties of coloured gemstones due to its rainbow-like play of colour. Finally, there is a superstition that you should not wear an opal unless it is your birthstone otherwise misfortune will befall you. This, of course, is far-fetched, but the notion could have been promoted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries by diamond traders who were trying to increase sales of diamonds and deter people from buying opals. Possibly related to this is the thought that you should set opal jewellery with diamonds as their powers of good fortune will override any negativity held by the opal. The great majority of opal does not show play of colour and is called common opal or potch however this is not the case with a precious opal. Opal is a precious gemstone, like rubies, emeralds or diamonds. Opal is rare, and it is expensive to prospect and mine for.Silica is one of the most common minerals on the planet, but precious opal is very rare – far more rare than diamonds. Precious opal is rare because the natural processes that create it rarely occur.Most (at least 95%) of the opal found by miners is common opal without gem colour. In Australia we call it potch. It can be white, grey, black or amber coloured. Even when a miner finds gem-coloured opal, most of it can’t be cut into gemstones because it’s too thin, or sandy. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.It is not known where this opal originated, except that it is probably from Victoria, as it has been recorded from many localities in the State. Common Opal is formed from silica-rich water circulating through rocks near the Earth’s surface. It consists of minute spheres of silica arranged in different ways. In common opal, the spheres are of different sizes and randomly arranged, unlike in precious opal where the spheres are of similar size and uniformly arranged in three dimensions. These differences account for common opal generally being translucent to opaque and without the play of colours, or opalescence, displayed by precious opal. Common opal is found in many localities and different geological environments throughout Australia and the world. Precious opal requires special conditions to form and is much less common. Australia produces most to the world’s precious opal. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, precious opal, opal, brazil, mexico, honduras, queensland, coober pedy, gemstones, jewellery, play-of-colour, light blue -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Liz Pidgeon, Alan Marshall by Marcus Skipper (1995) outside Eltham Library, Panther Place, 21 May 2014
A sculpture of local author Alan Marshall welcomes visitors in the grounds of Eltham library. Alan loved telling stories and talking to children and his own story overcoming the legacy of polio has been an inspiration to generations of Australians. Marcus Skipper, the sculptor, knew Alan well and the sculpture is said to capture his spirit and appearance perfectly; the jumper was even cast from one of Alan’s own. A realistic depiction (almost life size) of Alan Marshall (1902-1984) cast in bronze with green patination. Dressed in a jumper and slacks, Marshall is shown perched on a crutch, holding a book to his heart, gesturing to his audience to come and listen to his words. It was scupluted by local artist Marcus Skipper (b.1950 Melb. died 2011). HISTORICAL INFORMATION Alan Marshall was an author of more than fifteen books, and lived much of his life in Eltham. He became a central figure in the area's arts community of writers, artists, sculptors, film makers, actors and musicians . He is shown stroking a book to his heart, perched on a crutch, which references his disability (contracted polio when he was young), and his status as one of Australia's most successful and loved authors. His most famous book, 'I Can Jump Puddles' is based on his life story and the obstacles he faced as a child in trying to overcome his disability. Marcus Skipper submitted the idea for the work to the first 'Art in Public Places' Awards in 1990. The selectors at the time recommended that the work would be more suitably placed near the Eltham Library. It was commissioned and installed for the new Eltham Library, which was designed by Greg Burgess in 1994. It was partially funded by the then Shire of Eltham's Art Development Fund (Eltham Arts Council) and the rest donated by the artist Marcus Skipper. - Highlights from the Nillumbik Public Art Collection. "The setting and location are ideal and Marcus has really captured the typical Marshall character. It has attracted much favourable comment since its completion. .. Alan Marshall, A.M., O.B.E., Hon.LL.D. (1902-1984) was born at Noorat, Victoria and became one of Australia's most famous authors. His association with the Eltham area began in 1920 when he started his first job as a junior clerk at the Eltham Shire Offices, Kangaroo Ground. In the 1940s he spent some time living at Research. From 1955 he lived in Eltham for nearly 20 years. Disabilities resulting from polio as a young child did not prevent a wide range of experiences. Alan's occupations have been listed as clerk, night watchman, fortune teller, freelance journalist and author. He has been patron of many disadvantaged Children's Societies. Alan's books are numerous and include novels, short stories, children's books, history and travel. Among the best known are his autobiographies "I Can Jump Puddles" and "This is the Grass". Others include "These are My People", "Ourselves Writ Strange", "People of the Dreamtime", "The Gay Provider" and "Wild Red Horses". In 1971 he wrote the Centenary History of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers and Painters". -EDHS Newsletter No. 104, September 1995This work has significance for its reference to two well known names associated with Eltham and its history. The sculpture is a realistic statue of the famous Australian author Alan Marshall who wrote "I Can Jump Puddles". He lived and worked in the Shire. The artist Marcus Skipper represents a highly recognised family of artists associated with Monsalvat . The sculpture 'Alan Marshall' has been classified as of regional significance by the National Trust of Australia. - Highlights from the Nillumbik Public Art Collection.Born Digitalart in public places, alan marshall, marcus skipper, sculptures, eltham library -
Melbourne Athenaeum Archives
Season Brochure, MTC Melbourne Theatre Company Season 28 1981 Athenaeum Theatre and Athenaeum 2
pete mcgynty and the dreamtime, a man for all seasons, beecham, antigone, the good person of setzuan, the london cuckolds -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Blanks, Harvey, The Story of Yea : a 150 year history of the shire, 1973
Contents: Foreword; Preface; Prologue: The Dreamtime; Hume & Hovell's expedition; The coming of the overlanders; The first settlers; The Muddy Creek Aborigines; Early families & personalities; The settling of Highlands; Muddy Creek becomes Yea; Early teething troubles; The Road Board years; A bridge over troubled waters; From Mission to Church; The Shire - 1876 to 1900; Soldiers of the Queen; Into the New Century; How education came to Yea; Through Two World Wars; The Post-War Years; Appendices; Index.311 p., [16] p. of plates. : ill., maps. ; 22 cm.Contents: Foreword; Preface; Prologue: The Dreamtime; Hume & Hovell's expedition; The coming of the overlanders; The first settlers; The Muddy Creek Aborigines; Early families & personalities; The settling of Highlands; Muddy Creek becomes Yea; Early teething troubles; The Road Board years; A bridge over troubled waters; From Mission to Church; The Shire - 1876 to 1900; Soldiers of the Queen; Into the New Century; How education came to Yea; Through Two World Wars; The Post-War Years; Appendices; Index.other: yauung-illam-baluk tribe -- taungurong -- local history -- yea -- muddy creek -- goulburn river. -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Lewis, Robert, Budja Budja / Gariwerd - Halls Gap / Grampians : Primary Activity Book, 1992
[Contents: The Brambuk Centre - Outside; The Brambuk Centre - Inside; How did the Kooris of Gariwerd Gather Food?; A Dreamtime Story - The story of Bunjil; 'I Spy...'; A Plant Hunt; Find the Words; Koori Rock Art.9 p. : ill., map ; 30 cm.[Contents: The Brambuk Centre - Outside; The Brambuk Centre - Inside; How did the Kooris of Gariwerd Gather Food?; A Dreamtime Story - The story of Bunjil; 'I Spy...'; A Plant Hunt; Find the Words; Koori Rock Art.community organisations -- cultural activities (including preservation and/or promotion of traditional culture). other: brambuk living cultural centre -- budja budja -- gariwerd -- halls gap -- grampians -- education. -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Briggs, Carolyn, The journey cycles of the Boonwurrung : stories with Boonwurrung language, 2008
The stories constitute maintaining and reclaiming heritage and carries forward the language and knowledge to the guests in Boonwurrung country. The significance of these stories is that they constitute maintaining and reclaiming heritage. They were given to the author over many years. They are a legacy of her people, and it is her responsibility to pass them on. "This stories edition is adapted from text edition by John O'meara courtesy Bayside City Council."v-xi; 51 P.; ill.; lists.The stories constitute maintaining and reclaiming heritage and carries forward the language and knowledge to the guests in Boonwurrung country. The significance of these stories is that they constitute maintaining and reclaiming heritage. They were given to the author over many years. They are a legacy of her people, and it is her responsibility to pass them on. "This stories edition is adapted from text edition by John O'meara courtesy Bayside City Council."derrimut, -1864. | benbow, -1852. | briggs, louisa, 1836-1925. | language - vocabulary - word lists. | sites - quarries - ochre and pigment. | material culture. | environment - climate and weather - seasons. | literature and stories. | language - vocabulary - place names. | boonwurrung / boonerwrung / bunurong language (s35) (vic sj55-09) | boonwurrung / boonerwrung / bunurong people (s35) (vic sj55-09) | aboriginal australians -- folklore. | australian languages -- victoria. | language revival -- victoria. | dreamtime (aboriginal australian mythology) -- victoria. | material culture -- victoria. | ocher -- victoria. | seasons -- victoria. | bayside (vic sj55-05) | australian. -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
CD, Robert Mate Mate Gapingaru, Aboriginal sky figures
Robert Mate Mate (Gapingaru), an initiated elder of the Woorabinda_Berigada tribe of Central Queensland has researched the stories on the CD Rom in conjunction with Gordon Patston, an experienced astronomer. The stories from Arnhem Land to Tasmania give a fascinating insight into this rich area of Aboriginal culture and shed new light on Australia?s skies.CDastronomy, dreamtime stories, folklore, stars -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Booklet, Wangkanyi Ngurra Tjurta Aboriginal Corporation Language Centre et al, Short stories in Wangkatha : short stories from the Western Desert, 1966
An assortment of songs and stories in the Wangkatha language.wangkatha, western desert, western australia, songs, dreamtime stories -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book - Aboriginal stories, Sun Books Melbourne Pty Ltd, aboriginal myths and legends, 1967
A collection of stories of Aboriginal mythsxvi, 218 p. illus. : non-fictionA collection of stories of Aboriginal mythsaboriginal, human rights, myths, legends, robinson roland edward, australian indigenous tribes, storytellers, poetry, roper river, northern territory, sydney morning herald, the age, folk-lore, dreamtime legends, sacred songs, vesper alexander, worrell eric, naturalist, zoology, legend and dreaming