NSW State Library

I went to the NSW State Library to explore it and do some work. It's a very impressive place and houses a wonderful art gallery.

Interesting facts about the library

• Australia’s oldest library, originally established in 1826.
• Home to about 5 to 6 million items, including more than 2 million books, 1.2 million microforms, 2 million photographs, alongside newspapers, maps, manuscripts, and unique artworks .
• Treasures include Cook’s voyage journals, HMS Bounty logs, and the UNESCO-listed Holtermann Collection.
• Attracts over 1 million visitors annually for research, exhibitions, and cultural programs.
• Legal deposit library since 1879, receives a copy of every work published in NSW—be it books, newspapers, pamphlets, music, maps, or charts—helping preserve the region’s cultural heritage.
• Commenced digital cataloguing in the 1980s; by 2012, over one million electronic catalogue records were created, and approximately 12 million pages of newspapers, manuscripts, pictures and books have been digitised.
• Fun and supportive environment for students: during exam season, HSC students flock to the Library, which has responded with creative stress‑busters—from ‘unicorn visits’ and midday snack bars to cozy study “lock‑ins”.

 

Art gallery

Pix magazine exhibit

More Pix Magazine photos

Creating a slide show of Pennelope's art

Chris has an elderly friend who lived at his council flat and is now in a frail care old age home.  She loves to create art but there is no longer any room for it. We digitalised it for her and have created a slide show for her to enjoy.  She was so delighted when we shared it with her.  She is such a delightful lady. 

Reviewing the art at The Alchemist cafe

Dog paintings at The Botanica

I was delighted to come across these photos on Facebook. The Botanica Cafe in Waverton sadly closed in 2023. One of the things that made it so special as our local haunt was these paintings of doggies on their back wall. They were the dogs of the owners. Tragically, someone broke into the cafe a few years back and stole the paintings.  But here they are, immortalised for my viewing pleasure. Pure nostalgia. I spent so many wonderful hours at this cafe. It was a very special place.

Painted rocks on my balcony

When I was in Cape Town, I bought some rocks from Mikaela, a very talented friend of Jo's,  to add to my collection on my balcony. Aren't they beautiful!
 

Mikaela, the artist