This weekend, take a step back to another age – an age when crime fiction came over the airwaves, Greek cafes were a mainstay on every street corner and children filled their pockets with lollies for small change.
“Australia in the 1950s”, a one-day MindVentures course, is coordinated by UQ academic Dr Toni Johnson-Woods and features guest presenter Hugh Lunn, whose recent book Lost for Words looks at language in the post-war decades.
The course comprises presentations and discussions about icons of Australian life in the 1950s, including Carter Brown mystery novels, radio serials (such as Larry Kent’s “I Hate Crime”) and the role of the corner shop in teaching children money management and arithmetic.
Dr Johnson-Woods’s research into the mystery novels and radio serials is funded by an Australian Research Council grant to examine the pulp industry of the decade. The course will also feature Toni Risson, who will speak about Greek cafes and their contribution to Australian food culture.
“Australia in the 1950s” is part of a series of courses run by MindVentures for mature-age people on a variety of topics, including history, religion, economics, music and politics, presented by staff, postgraduate students and associates of The University of Queensland.
The course is held at Women’s College, The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus on Saturday, April 19, from 9.30am-4pm. Cost is $99 including lunch and refreshments.
Information and enrolment: Dr Bill Richmond at MindVentures 3878 4077 or mindventures@uqconnect.net
Media: Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2659).
