The end of HMAS Australia
The Indefatigable class battlecruiser HMAS Australia was the Australian Navy’s first flagship, whose arrival in Sydney in October 1913 is popularly regarded as marking the coming of age of the nation’s naval service. In fact, it might be said that the acquisition of the expensive capital ship by Australia was mostly a way of inducing the dominion to contribute to Britain’s naval arms race against Germany, with the knowledge of a war fast approaching. Arrival of HMAS Australia at Sydney, October 4, 1913.Arrival of HMAS Australia at Sydney, October 4, 1913. The ship had been ordered…
William Fraser, cabinet-maker and photographer
Among the photographers active in Newcastle in the early 20th century, William Fraser deserves a special place. William might be described as a "semi-professional" photographer, since his main job was as a cabinet-maker, working from the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton. The body of work he produced in both spheres was impressive, and numerous examples of his skilled craftsmanship survive. William FraserBritannia Fraser (nee Randall) William's parents were Charles Fraser (who had come from Scotland when he was seven) and Matilda (nee Pepper). The couple was living and working in Lindsay Street, Hamilton, when sixth child William…