Tutor: Graham Blackman
Following the Equator, published in 1897 was one of Mark Twain's last major works, and details Twain's travels in Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, India, and South Africa (1895-1896). In this book, he wrote that Australian history: "is so curious and strange that it is itself the chiefest novelty the country has to offer. It does not read like history, but like the most beautiful lies and of all a fresh new sort, no mouldy old ones. It is full of surprises, adventures, incongruities, contradictions and incredibilities, but they are all true, they all happened".
Venue: 232 Adelaide St
Tuesday 9.30am - 11.00am. Classes start 27 January, finish 31 March.
Cost: $50 (prepaid), 10 weeks
Australian history and its "exceptionalism" exceed Twain's views.
Semester one (Terms 1 -2) The beginnings to 1900.
Semester 2 (Terms 3 and 4) 1901 to present.
Participants may join both or either semester.
About the Tutor:
Brisbane-born and raised, served in Australian submarines for fifteen years, then became a self-employed Business Analyst until retirement. I was a Rotarian for 25 years and in 2005 became a volunteer Angel Flight Pilot. During this time, Australian history and its "exceptionalism" was brought to my attention in the many places I visited. From what became a passion, it was translated into a course for U3A Toowoomba, which has now been running for 7 years and is commencing in Brisbane in 2026.Unfortunately enrolments in this class have exceeded room capacity and no new enrolments can be accepted at this time. You may contact the tutor to express your interest should a vacancy arise.
If you wish to obtain further information about this class before enrolling, you may send a message to the tutor using the Send Enquiry Message button below.