The Lepers of Viluisk – 2

Kate Marsden memorial statue at Viluisk

Further to my blog of 24.07.2017, I was keen to learn more about Englishwoman Kate Marsden and her journey to Viluisk in Siberia to establish a hospital for lepers.

Naturally, I looked up Wikipedia first, and here is the introduction to what it had to say:

Kate Marsden (13 May 1859 – 26 May 1931) was a British missionary, explorer, writer and nursing heroine. Supported by Queen Victoria and Empress Maria Fedorovna she investigated the care of leprosy. She set out on a journey from Moscow to Siberia to find a cure, creating a leper treatment centre in Siberia. She returned to England and inspired Bexhill Museum, but she was obliged to retire as a trustee. Marsden was dogged after her journey by homophobia, her finances were questioned as were her motives for her journey. Her accusers almost succeeded in making her sexuality the basis for an “Oscar Wilde”-type trial. She was however elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She has a large diamond named after her and is still remembered in Siberia, where a large memorial statue was erected at Sosnovka village in 2014.

However, google led me to another Kate Marsden, whose WordPress page revealed that KM The Younger has just completed a re-enactment of the original Kate Marsden’s journey and is now writing a book about the subject. You can find out a whole lot more about the two KMs by clicking on her webpage here:

https://victoriankatemarsden.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/the-kate-marsden-museum-in-vilyuisk/

The Peel Island CyArk Project is now available online

 

Church interior, 1950s. Originally built by Melanesian patients, this was the main church on the island. Photo by Doctor Morgan Gabriel.

You may have heard of the Peel Island Lazaret CyArk webpage which is now available to the public. (For more information, I refer you to my previous blogs of 14.05.2016 – Digitising the Lazaret at Peel Island; 15.10.2016 – Click; and 07.03.2017 – Peel Island episode now available to view on BBC’s ‘Click’ )

You are welcome to view the page here: http://www.cyark.org/projects/peel-island-lazaret

However it requires the latest and fastest computers or it may take too long to load. My computer overheated but I did manage to view the attached photo which is described as ‘Church interior, 1950s. Originally built by Melanesian patients, this was the main church on the island.  Photo by Dr Morgan Gabriel.’

However, I think it is more likely the church interior was at Fantome Island and not Peel. Comparing the external and interior images, it is obvious that their dimensions do not coincide.

Peel Island Lazaret – c.1955 – Anglican Church. Photo by Doctor Morgan Gabriel.

Doctor Gabriel did visit both Peel and Fantome Islands as part of his medical duties, and as such did take both photos. However much later the church interior may have been mistaken by others for Peel and not Fantome.

Innovating for Tomorrow – CSIRO (www.csiro.au )

 

CSIRO Headquarters in Canberra

This month’s cameo speaker at my local Probus Club chose for his topic ‘ Some Of What CSIRO Does With Your Taxes’. He described how Government funding for the organisation has dropped by 25% over the last five years, which has resulted in CSIRO’s earnings being down too. Then he touched on just three of their current projects:

• Alzheimer’s Disease (where they have found that it is caused by not just high Amyloid tissue in the brain but also with high iron levels. They are trialling the drug Deferiprone to reduce the iron levels.)
• Technology for Autism (1-100 children suffer from Autism. Computers may not be of benefit but the best three apps deal with language, education, and attention.)
• Graphene (is a form of carbon only one atom thick and is very hard . It is very expensive to produce but CSIRO has devised a way to produce it much more cheaply from peanut oil.)

The CSIRO as such came into being after World War II from other precursor scientific organisations. When I was young, I remember the CSIRO being in the headlines much more so than it is today. Its mantra was (and still is):

‘We do the extraordinary every day. We innovate for tomorrow and help improve today – for our customers, all Australians and the world. 

‘At the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), we shape the future. We do this by using science to solve real issues. Our research makes a difference to people, industry and the planet.’

Notable past developments by CSIRO have included the invention of atomic absorption spectroscopy, essential components of Wi-Fi technology, the polymer banknote, the insect repellent in Aerogard and myxomatosis for the control of rabbit populations.

So why is its funding being reduced? Is science no longer the panacea that it was once thought to be? Is there too much competition for Government monies? Has it become too self-effacing? Has technology stolen the public’s obsessions? In this era when chest beating for the audience attention seems to be dominated by everyone from media chefs to swaggering world leaders, perhaps its time that CSIRO, too, became more vocal about its achievements.

 

 

Friends of Peel Island Invitation

Friends of PeelIsland Association Inc.

The Friends of Peel Island Association Inc, PO Box 9019, Cleveland DC, Qld, 4163 Email: friendsofpeel@gmail.com

 Come and Join  The Friends of Peel Island 

on  SATURDAY, 9th SEPTEMBER, 2017 

at 
Fort Lytton National Park 
South Street, Lytton 
between 9:30am and 10:00am 

for 
MORNING TEA 
followed at 10:30am by 
A TALK BY PETER LUDLOW ON PEEL ISLAND 
“The History Behind the Horseshoe” 

Peter Ludlow, author historian, has been researching and writing about the unique history of Peel Island since 1977. With his PowerPoint presentation, Peter highlights Peel’s history including pre-European occupation, its use by Europeans and, in 2007, the Island being gazetted as a National Park and Conservation Park and the Lazaret Buildings being Heritage Listed.

The Friends of Peel Island Exhibition Room 
will be Open for Inspection following Peter Ludlow’s Presentation
also included will be
A TWO COURSE CHICKEN, HAM AND SALAD LUNCHEON 
and a LUCKY DOOR PRIZE 

Entrance Ticket : $25.00 per person 

(Note: Bookings and Payment to be received in Advance by not later than close of business on Friday, 1 September, 2017)

 Cut along Line – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

BOOKING FORM

Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Email: ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Telephone: ………………………… Mobile: ……………………………………..

Number of People: …………………………………………………………………..

Amount Paid: …………………………………………………………………………..

To secure your booking please either: 

• • Post the completed Booking Form to PO Box 9019, Cleveland DC 4163, together with your Cheque or Money Order made payable to “Friends of Peel Island Association”

  or

• • Email your details to “friendsofpeel@gmail.com” and make payment by way of direct deposit to our account at the Commonwealth Bank, BSB: 064-000 Account: 10649391

(If paying by direct deposit, please ensure your name is clearly indicated to identify your deposit)

Enquiries : Contact – Scott on 0407 934 147 or Email – friendsofpeel@gmail.com