Celebrate the NSW National Trust sponsored Heritage Festival 2009
– OUR PLACE IN SPACE: UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS
Cook and Leichhardt: How Explorers Found Their Way
Friday, 17 April, 2009
On his first expedition travelling overland from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, during 1844-45, the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt used the same methods of establishing his position that Captain James Cook had employed on his first voyage, over 70 years earlier. Astronomers at Greenwich Observatory, in particular, Astronomer Royal Neville Maskelyne, who was the villain of the piece in Dava Sobel’s best selling book Longitude, perfected the method of lunar distances as a way of determining longitude. Longitude, one of the two coordinates necessary to establish position on the Earth’s surface, is difficult to determine, while the other, latitude, can be found relatively easily by observing suitable stars. In this illustrated talk, the curator of astronomy at Sydney Observatory, Dr Nick Lomb, will explain the method of lunar distances, talk about how James Cook became the first ship’s captain to know his position and discuss Leichhardt’s journey.
Time: 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm.
Venue: Within the Leichhardt Town Centre (exact location to be advised depending on Nos. of patrons)
Cost: Free event
Light food & refreshments will be available.
Bookings essential please RSVP to 9367 9223
Marine Officer, Convict Wife. The Johnstons of Annandale
Wednesday, 8 April, 2009
Few Colonial families can boast the fascination of such characters as Major George Johnston, his convict mistress, later wife, Esther Abrahams and their experiences in the young colony of New South Wales. Author Dr. Alan Roberts will speak on his recently released book ‘Marine Officer, Convict Wife. The Johnstons of Annandale’, funded by Leichhardt Council through the Annandale Urban Research Association. All copies of the book, for sale on the night, will be signed by the author. All welcome.
Time: 6.30 pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Annandale Town Hall – 79 Johnston Street, Annandale (behind Annandale Neighbourhood Centre).
Cost: Free event
Light food & refreshments will be available and books sold at the event will be signed.
Bookings essential please RSVP to 9367 9223.
Leichhardt Council quarry, Moore Street, Leichhardt, ca 1920
Leichhardt Council quarry, Moore Street, Leichhardt, ca 1920