THE VAGABOND IN VIRGINIA AND NEW CALEDONIA

Sep
20
Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 05:45 PM

Location

Royal Historical Society of Victoria
239 A'Beckett St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Australia
Google map and directions

Event contact

Gerardine Horgan

93269288

THE VAGABOND IN VIRGINIA AND NEW CALEDONIA

 

Victorians are invited to learn more about the intriguing life of one of our most enigmatic chroniclers – John Stanley James - as the Royal Historical Society of Victoria’s presents their September lecture: The Vagabond in Virginia and New Caledonia.

 

To be held on Tuesday 20 September, historians Robert G. Flippen and Dr Willa McDonald will discuss the results of their new research into the Vagabond’s life.

 

“Australian life has never had a chronicler quite like the Vagabond,” reflected Dr McDonald.

“Renowned as a journalist and ‘eminently unconventional character’, the Vagabond repeatedly shocked newly respectable citizens with his lively reporting of scandalous situations – baby farming, harsh conditions in prisons and asylums, savage sporting events, the life of the demi-monde and pathetic pauper funerals.”

 

Before arriving in Australia in 1875, James spent time in the USA where he married the widow of a rich planter, used her money to build a delightful Southern mansion, became a leading light in society, took control of the local bank, and absconded when things went wrong.

 

“Our lecture will bring to life new details of the Vagabond’s earlier life in Virginia, and of his time in New Caledonia,” explained Dr McDonald and Flippen.

 

“We will also explore the Vagabond’s experience when he sailed to New Caledonia to report for the Sydney Morning Herald on the Great Revolt.” 

 

About the speakers

Robert G. Flippen was born in Frankfurt, Germany. He is a graduate of The George Washington University, and lives near the Vagabond’s old mansion in Virginia, USA. His interest in Virginia history has led to publication of six books and numerous newspaper features. ‘Bob’ is now Education Specialist for High Bridge Trail State Park, ranked as one of America’s Top 20 Destination Parks. He develops and implements educational programs for the Park’s nearly 200,000 annual visitors.

Dr Willa McDonald is Senior Lecturer in Media at Macquarie University where she teaches and researches creative non-fiction writing and literary journalism. A former journalist, she has worked in print, television and radio, including for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Times on Sunday, ABC TV and ABC Radio National. Willa’s books are Warrior for Peace: Dorothy Auchterlonie Green and The Writer’s Reader: Understanding Journalism and Non-fiction (with Susie Eisenhuth). She is currently researching the history of literary journalism in Australia.

About the event

 

Date:                            Tuesday 20 September

Time:                            5.45pm – 7pm; refreshments from 5.15pm

Address:                       Royal Historical Society of Victoria

239 A’Beckett Street

Melbourne 

Cost:                            $10 non-members; free for members of the RHSV

Enquiries:                     t: (03) 9326 9288   e: [email protected]  w: historyvictoria.org.au

 

 

About the RHSV

 

Formed in 1909, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) is committed to collecting, researching and sharing an understanding of the history of Victoria. Housing the most extensive single information resource on the history of Melbourne and Victoria, collections are open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm. The RHSV is a community organisation that relies on membership subscriptions. Join today and help promote and preserve the history of Victoria – www.historyvictoria.org.au. You can also keep up to date with the past via the RHSV’s Twitter http://www.twitter.com/historyvictoria and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/historyvictoria

  

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Summary

The HCV was formed as an advisory body in 2001 and incorporated in 2003. It comprises representatives from cultural and educational institutions and heritage bodies; history teachers and curriculum advisors; academic and professional historians; and local, Indigenous, community and specialist history organisations.

As the peak body for history, the HCV has both ‘outward-looking’ roles (including advocacy and representation to government and the wider community, consultation, community education, and networking with allied interest groups) and ‘inward-looking’ roles (including member support, information dissemination, and networking between members).

 
 

Credits

The History Council of Victoria acknowledges the State Library of Victoria and the Public Record Office Victoria for supply of the archival images that appear on this website.

We acknowledge the National Film and Sound Archive for the right to use of the video footage on the home page, titled "Melbourne: Life in Australia (1966)".

Image credits

  • Italian sailors on ship at Port Melbourne 1938, Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria
  • Chinese procession in Collins near Elizabeth Street 1901, Harvie & Sutcliffe, photographers, State Library of Victoria
  • People’s homes, Aboriginal station Coranderrk 1878, Fred Kruger Photographer, State Library of Victoria
  • Chinese nurses at Children’s Hospital under scholarship 1947, Argus Newspaper Collection of Photographs, State Library of Victoria
  • Ladies physical culture class VRI Melbourne c1931, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12903/P0001, 011/02
  • Melbourne Cup, Derby and Oaks Day, Flemington Racecourse 1936, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12903/P0001/4802, 372/30
  • Flinders Street viaduct at foot of Market Street with advertisement for McRobertson’s Chocolate on bridge, Public Record Office Victoria VPRS 12800/P0003, ADV 1342