Your post prompted me to further research the panels of stain glass. Apparently, they were donated to the Randwick and District Historical Society in 2003 by a prominent Sydney antique dealer Paul Baker who wanted the windows to “remain in the community”
The windows were in turn expertly restored by Kevin Little who was one of Australia’s leading restorers of ecclesiastical stained glass. St George Historical Society have a video of his work at https://stgeorgehistsoc.org.au/shop-luminary/
and there is a great blog with pictures of Kevin at work,
A prospectus for the Coogee Palace Aquarium Co Ltd, dated 1889, describes the interior of the building as follows: “The magnificent dome which is no less than 55 feet in diameter and 55 feet high of an octagon shape decorated with radiating blue, enriched with gold and silver stars, with the rising sun and moon, while immediately below are stain glass windows representing dolphins disporting themselves in the sea”
Your first picture shows the windows at the base of the dome
Such lovely detail Ashley, thank-you. I love all of those additional threads to the story. I will update the post. And I look forward to hearing some of your stories too.
Interesting. The images are fantastic. I too am a member of a LOT of societies, & others I dip in & out of depending on my research goals. Wait till you add on the cost of conferences + accommodation!
Ancestry often has membership specials & you can also check the prices at the other country's platforms which can be cheaper than their .com.au site. I get a gift subscription for my birthday each year, & my always daughter hunts down the best deal. (Our family motto is Never Pay Full Price). FH magazines are available in print through your local library & at the SLNSW, or free online through your library's eresources.
Hello Lovely Janelle. Yes I do get plenty of things free from my libraries but part of the reason for subscribing is to keep things going, so where I can, I try to support history societies and subscriptions, where appropriate!
Jane, you're on the money. Local history groups can actually be interesting! I guess we have to avoid living in the past, but there's something pleasant about revisiting old haunts, different suburbs we've lived in, and familiar landmarks. Last weekend in the Perth Hills I came across a history book of Mundaring, where I lived in my primary school years. To my surprise I found a B&W photograph of the house/delicatessen my parents owned and in which we lived. That brought back a flood of memories. 🥴
How fabulous Roy! Yes I am hoping to support a few local history groups and looking forward to what I discover. They also need our help and support. Many of their beloved members are getting on. We need to back them up for the next generation.
Since revelations seem to be the order of the day ;) Jane I have never really had strong family roots or felt the need to dig for them! However, ...... Again, you have inspired me to be more observant and maybe open up the door (just a tad) my own personal family history Thank you Jane :)
Hi Kim. Is there any reason you've not keen to look into your family stories? I think lots of people feel that way. Just do you searching in bite-sized chunks and don't bite off more than you can chew!
I suppose there is no valid reason :) My background IS colorful and my heritage would be interesting to delve into.... I suppose TBH i am not sure where to start? My mother was born in Shanghai from Russian German "stock" my grandfather British who died as a POW after coming to Australia in the 40's:( he was a true warrior and joined the Australian armed forces as soon as he settled the family My father was an Aussie so I guess I am far from a pure breed ;) Says she with her tongue firmly placed in her cheek !
Sounds like you have made a start Kim! This is what I am writing my book about... how to tell family stories! But it's not due out until later next year :) Keep going please!
That reminds me... I need to stroll down to my adopted home town local Berkeley Historical Society (berkhistory.org), or perhaps the remarkable Berkeley Architectural Heritage Society (berkeleyheritage.com).
These places need the resources to support one place studies, come to think of it. 🤔
Hi Barb, I think these local societies are hidden treasures. I think if we choose to live in a certain place, we can certainly call it home. And I bet the Berkeley societies are well worth a visit. I'll look forward to your report!
I love little local museums, I am discovering a few new ones in the Scottish Borders. There are often wonderful treasures to be found in them. Thank you for sharing your society museum - worth the cost of the membership alone. But all the fish seem angry!
Hi Jane,
Your post prompted me to further research the panels of stain glass. Apparently, they were donated to the Randwick and District Historical Society in 2003 by a prominent Sydney antique dealer Paul Baker who wanted the windows to “remain in the community”
The windows were in turn expertly restored by Kevin Little who was one of Australia’s leading restorers of ecclesiastical stained glass. St George Historical Society have a video of his work at https://stgeorgehistsoc.org.au/shop-luminary/
and there is a great blog with pictures of Kevin at work,
https://sydneydailyphotoextra.blogspot.com/2006/11/kevin-little-stainedglass-artist.html
A prospectus for the Coogee Palace Aquarium Co Ltd, dated 1889, describes the interior of the building as follows: “The magnificent dome which is no less than 55 feet in diameter and 55 feet high of an octagon shape decorated with radiating blue, enriched with gold and silver stars, with the rising sun and moon, while immediately below are stain glass windows representing dolphins disporting themselves in the sea”
Your first picture shows the windows at the base of the dome
Such lovely detail Ashley, thank-you. I love all of those additional threads to the story. I will update the post. And I look forward to hearing some of your stories too.
Interesting. The images are fantastic. I too am a member of a LOT of societies, & others I dip in & out of depending on my research goals. Wait till you add on the cost of conferences + accommodation!
Ancestry often has membership specials & you can also check the prices at the other country's platforms which can be cheaper than their .com.au site. I get a gift subscription for my birthday each year, & my always daughter hunts down the best deal. (Our family motto is Never Pay Full Price). FH magazines are available in print through your local library & at the SLNSW, or free online through your library's eresources.
Hello Lovely Janelle. Yes I do get plenty of things free from my libraries but part of the reason for subscribing is to keep things going, so where I can, I try to support history societies and subscriptions, where appropriate!
Jane, you're on the money. Local history groups can actually be interesting! I guess we have to avoid living in the past, but there's something pleasant about revisiting old haunts, different suburbs we've lived in, and familiar landmarks. Last weekend in the Perth Hills I came across a history book of Mundaring, where I lived in my primary school years. To my surprise I found a B&W photograph of the house/delicatessen my parents owned and in which we lived. That brought back a flood of memories. 🥴
How fabulous Roy! Yes I am hoping to support a few local history groups and looking forward to what I discover. They also need our help and support. Many of their beloved members are getting on. We need to back them up for the next generation.
Since revelations seem to be the order of the day ;) Jane I have never really had strong family roots or felt the need to dig for them! However, ...... Again, you have inspired me to be more observant and maybe open up the door (just a tad) my own personal family history Thank you Jane :)
Hi Kim. Is there any reason you've not keen to look into your family stories? I think lots of people feel that way. Just do you searching in bite-sized chunks and don't bite off more than you can chew!
I suppose there is no valid reason :) My background IS colorful and my heritage would be interesting to delve into.... I suppose TBH i am not sure where to start? My mother was born in Shanghai from Russian German "stock" my grandfather British who died as a POW after coming to Australia in the 40's:( he was a true warrior and joined the Australian armed forces as soon as he settled the family My father was an Aussie so I guess I am far from a pure breed ;) Says she with her tongue firmly placed in her cheek !
Sounds like you have made a start Kim! This is what I am writing my book about... how to tell family stories! But it's not due out until later next year :) Keep going please!
Local IS All About That Place, isn't it?
That reminds me... I need to stroll down to my adopted home town local Berkeley Historical Society (berkhistory.org), or perhaps the remarkable Berkeley Architectural Heritage Society (berkeleyheritage.com).
These places need the resources to support one place studies, come to think of it. 🤔
Hi Barb, I think these local societies are hidden treasures. I think if we choose to live in a certain place, we can certainly call it home. And I bet the Berkeley societies are well worth a visit. I'll look forward to your report!
I love little local museums, I am discovering a few new ones in the Scottish Borders. There are often wonderful treasures to be found in them. Thank you for sharing your society museum - worth the cost of the membership alone. But all the fish seem angry!