Curator Talks

Stories from the Stacks

The stories that make us.

Stories from the stacks

Stories from the stacks

Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith

The following episodes of Stories from the Stacks feature items from the State Library of South Australia's collection that were either used by the crew during the Great Air Race of 1919, were relevant to the crew members, or were inspired by the race.

Presented by Carolyn Spooner, Librarian at the State Library of South Australia and curator of the Heroes of the Skies website.

Under each episode, you will find images and links to the items being discussed.

Music featured in the video is an instrumental version of the song Enough, composed and performed by Steve Lennox, from his album In the Lighter Dark.

The Intercom Booklet. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the Intercom Book that the crew used to communicate during the Great Air Race of 1919.

The Intercom Booklet. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the Intercom Book that the crew used to communicate during the Great Air Race of 1919.

The first airmail between England and Australia. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the very first airmail to arrive in Australia from England, which the crew travelled with during the Great Air Race of 1919.

The first airmail between England and Australia. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the very first airmail to arrive in Australia from England, which the crew travelled with during the Great Air Race of 1919.

Navigating the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the map and ruler that Keith Smith used to navigate the race Great Air Race of 1919. Also featured is a quote from Ross Smith’s book, and the Tallis map of South Australia that travelled into space with astronaut Andy Thomas!

Navigating the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the map and ruler that Keith Smith used to navigate the race Great Air Race of 1919. Also featured is a quote from Ross Smith’s book, and the Tallis map of South Australia that travelled into space with astronaut Andy Thomas!

The Great Air Race board game. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about a board game that was created to celebrate the race Great Air Race of 1919. The game forms part of the State Library of South Australia’s Children’s Literature and Research Collection. The donor of the game was Thomas Venables Holland.

The Great Air Race board game. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about a board game that was created to celebrate the race Great Air Race of 1919. The game forms part of the State Library of South Australia’s Children’s Literature and Research Collection. The donor of the game was Thomas Venables Holland.

Music and the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn features the sheet music and song Our Flying Boys, written and composed by Emma Ronchetti-Allin and Jack Fewster, which was inspired by the Great Air Race and dedicated to the Vickers Vimy crew.

Music and the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn features the sheet music and song Our Flying Boys, written and composed by Emma Ronchetti-Allin and Jack Fewster, which was inspired by the Great Air Race and dedicated to the Vickers Vimy crew.

The Dame Nellie Melba letter. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about how the Smith brothers were celebrated in England after the Great Air Race of 1919. They had many fans, Dame Nellie Melba being one who performed at a concert attended by the brothers.

The Dame Nellie Melba letter. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about how the Smith brothers were celebrated in England after the Great Air Race of 1919. They had many fans, Dame Nellie Melba being one who performed at a concert attended by the brothers.

Souvenirs of the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about how the Great Air Race captured the public imagination. Souvenirs of the race became available, such as badges, as collected by Lottie Richards, and a hand-held fan produced by John Martins and Co..

Souvenirs of the Great Air Race. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about how the Great Air Race captured the public imagination. Souvenirs of the race became available, such as badges, as collected by Lottie Richards, and a hand-held fan produced by John Martins and Co..

The Queen's School dinner menu. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the Smith brothers being back in Adelaide and attending several dinners and lunches in their honor. One, in particular, was hosted by the Queen's School Old Scholars and the menu has been signed by all who attended.

The Queen's School dinner menu. In this episode of Stories from the Stacks, Carolyn talks about the Smith brothers being back in Adelaide and attending several dinners and lunches in their honor. One, in particular, was hosted by the Queen's School Old Scholars and the menu has been signed by all who attended.

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