Australian_Geographic_-_August_2015_AU_.

July–August 2015 125

BBC; OBSERVATORY: IAN SUTTON/FLICKR

Emporium: Selling

the Dream in

Colonial Australia

EDWIN BARNARD,

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF

AUSTRALIA, $49.99

Edwin Barnard has put

together a lively and

entertaining account of

19th-century Australian

life through the lens of

long-forgotten adver-

tisements. Emporium

explores Australian

culture and history by

showcasing this past

century’s answer to

everything from “lost

manhood” and “failing

sexual vigour” to

baldness and greying

hair. These ads offer

a quirky peek into the

daily desires and

anxieties that shaped

colonial Australia.

You can enter by downloading the free viewa app and using

your smartphone or tablet to scan this page, or by visiting:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/issue127

Austral Ark: The State

of Wildlife in Australia

and New Zealand

ADAM STOW, NORMAN

MACLEAN & GREGORY I.

HOLWELL, CAMBRIDGE

UNIVERSITY PRESS, $69.95

Australia and New

Zealand’s array of flora

and fauna have changed

dramatically since

European colonisation.

Intertwining contribu-

tions from three leading

experts in conservation

biology, Austral Ark gives

readers a sweeping

overview of the recent

history of Australasia’s

biota. In it, the experts

look at the processes,

challenges and successes

that have shaped the

trajectory of some of the

region’s most unique

and fragile species.

AG’S BOOK SHELF

Njinga: Breaking

the Cycle in Africa

KATE LEEMING, VIVID

PUBLISHING, $44.95

Kate Leeming’s engaging

account of her world-

first 22,000km cycle

expedition from Senegal

to Somalia takes readers

on a fascinating voyage

through the wilderness

of Africa. On the way

she dodges pirates,

rebels, and insurgents,

in an intimate story of

mental grit and physical

endurance. Her journey

was also highlighted

by the United Nations,

so while Kate conquered

harsh terrain she

was also tackling the

huge task of raising

awareness for African

health, education and

sustainability programs.

We’re giving away five copies of the BBC’sHuman Universe,

thanks to Roadshow Entertainment. Professor Brian Cox

tackles big questions, investigating how humankind arrived

at the present day and what will happen in the future. At

one point, he tests the theory of gravity with a feather and

a bowling ball inside a sealed vacuum. This imaginative

series will leave you with new answers to old questions.

Competition

ADELAIDE

THE AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC

ANZANG NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER

OF THE YEAR 2015

See the very best of the thousands of

entries in Australia’s most prestigious nature

photography competition. Categories

include: Animal Portrait, Botanical,

Junior Photographer and much more.

When and where: 1–30 August,

South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA

More info:

http://www.anzang.samuseum.sa.gov.au

MELBOURNE

OPEN HOUSE

For history and architecture lovers, Open

House allows you to explore extraordinary

spaces, which are usually inaccessible.

When and where:

25–26 July, Melbourne, VIC

More info:

http://www.openhousemelbourne.org

CANBERRA

MOUNT STROMLO

OBSERVATORY

WORLD RECORD

NIGHT

Wrap up and head to

Mt Stromlo Observatory to

be part of two Guinness World

Record attempts: ‘Most People Stargazing at

a Single Site’ and ‘Most People Stargazing

Across Multiple Sites in a Country’.

When and where: 7–9pm, 21 August,

Mt Stromlo Observatory, Canberra, ACT

More info: rsaa.anu.edu.au/

news-events/mt-stromlo-

observatory-world-record-night

DARWIN

DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR

With a range of styles on display and the

opportunity to learn about how the art is

made, the 9th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

offers a unique way to experience artwork.

When and where: 7–9 August, Darwin

Convention Centre, NT

More info:

http://www.darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au

WHAT’S

ON