Herr Hitler Praised ***The Stockholm Conference ***Global Warming Melts Queensland Snow !*** Kiwis Obsessed With Sheep ***Strange Wedding Customs ***Dancing with General Washington *** Dave and Mabel Finally Hitched in Woolshed
Whilst browsing through a grand Brisbane antique shop which has produced arcane items over the years , Little Darwin unearthed a l933 gem – WHAT THE COUNTRY WOMEN OF THE WORLD ARE DOING , edited by Canadian journalist , Sholto Watt , Rydal Press, Great Britain, 238pp, illustrated , with drawing of Maypole dancing on front cover.
The book had belonged to Ruth B . Fairfax , who in all probability was related to Mrs J. H. Fairfax , a leading figure in the international women’s movements. A former president of the Queensland CWA , she was a keen organiser and eloquent speaker who had represented Australia at London and Vienna conferences of rural women . In Australia she had been on national committees dealing with war and social service.
At the Stockholm third conference of Rural Women’s and Homemakers’ Organisations in June l933, Mrs Fairfax was elected one of the vice presidents .Motto of the conference was "The Will To Peace", and a resolution by Australian women calling for peace was well received . A “wistful sigh” went up among the European delegates when the Canadian writer and speaker on social legislation , Mrs W. R. Lang, ended a presentation with , "Why cannot there be flower gardens instead of fortifications along the frontiers of Europe?"
That great crusader , Eleanor Roosevelt, extended a cordial greeting to all present at the conference and said one of the most constructive forces in the world was the endeavour of organised womanhood , rural as well as urban, in all nations to maintain the moral , spiritual and cultural values of life in the face of economic chaos [Depression]. She continued:
“The world has at last recognised that it must deal justly with agriculture , [ prices had tumbled and tariff barriers stopped the flow of produce ] and is seeking ways and means to that end . May you, rural women, with undiminished zeal continue to serve your family, your community , and your nation to the end that family life will be made secure , agriculture shall be adequately recompensed, civilization be maintained and strengthened , the nations of the world gain experience peace and stability, and international goodwill and co-operation be achieved. ”
In a chapter dealing with improvements in marketing methods it quoted Chancellor Adolf Hitler as saying ,” All the blows of fate can be overcome if the farmers are in a healthy state.” Each country attending the conference was given space in the book to explain their way of life with much attention being given to fairs, dances and customs.
In a chapter dealing with improvements in marketing methods it quoted Chancellor Adolf Hitler as saying ,” All the blows of fate can be overcome if the farmers are in a healthy state.” Each country attending the conference was given space in the book to explain their way of life with much attention being given to fairs, dances and customs.
In the case of Australia , a wedding in a woolshed where shy young men hang back when the dancing starts is covered .There is a description of a bush picnic and a race meeting, with a photos of a kangaroo and koalas.
In Queensland , where buckjumping and bare back riding is popular, there is a puzzling mention of ski-ing and toboganning being enjoyed in the highlands for a short season. Bet you never knew there were snow bunnies in the Sunshine state. While not into folk dancing in a big way, eurhythmic dancing was catching on in Qld and camp fire singing was heard in the evenings .
Over in Western Australia, the CWA staged a tableau during the l929 Centenary celebrations . During that festival there was a re-enactment of the founding of Perth when a woman , Mrs Dance, struck the first blow with an axe on a jarrah tree which was chopped down . There was also a big effort for Wool Week in l932. The section dealing with Victoria seemed to be trying to wrest the kudos for introducing the merino sheep wool industry from NSW . In New Zealand, of course, they were mad on sheepdog trials .
General George Washington’s dancing style is also covered. Seems he used to take long steps and his partner had to run to keep up with him. The detailed information about the life and times ,the global struggles and aspirations of women , along with some unusual wedding customs , make this an unusual reference book . Old time Estonian weddings , outlined in considerable detail, with pics, sound like a hoot. One of the key players is the "doctor" who wears an old lobster dragnet with attached frogbones on his head. His stethoscope is a sausage funnel and he has "various other queer medical instruments." A well known Darwin marriage celebrant should consider incorporating aspects of Estonian nuptials to jazz up Territory weddings .
In Queensland , where buckjumping and bare back riding is popular, there is a puzzling mention of ski-ing and toboganning being enjoyed in the highlands for a short season. Bet you never knew there were snow bunnies in the Sunshine state. While not into folk dancing in a big way, eurhythmic dancing was catching on in Qld and camp fire singing was heard in the evenings .
Over in Western Australia, the CWA staged a tableau during the l929 Centenary celebrations . During that festival there was a re-enactment of the founding of Perth when a woman , Mrs Dance, struck the first blow with an axe on a jarrah tree which was chopped down . There was also a big effort for Wool Week in l932. The section dealing with Victoria seemed to be trying to wrest the kudos for introducing the merino sheep wool industry from NSW . In New Zealand, of course, they were mad on sheepdog trials .
General George Washington’s dancing style is also covered. Seems he used to take long steps and his partner had to run to keep up with him. The detailed information about the life and times ,the global struggles and aspirations of women , along with some unusual wedding customs , make this an unusual reference book . Old time Estonian weddings , outlined in considerable detail, with pics, sound like a hoot. One of the key players is the "doctor" who wears an old lobster dragnet with attached frogbones on his head. His stethoscope is a sausage funnel and he has "various other queer medical instruments." A well known Darwin marriage celebrant should consider incorporating aspects of Estonian nuptials to jazz up Territory weddings .
