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 21 April, finish 23 June.
Cost: $50 (prepaid), 10 weeks
Current Enrolments: 15 (full capacity)
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.
Term 2 continues from Gov. MacQuaries tenure through to 1900.
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 this class is over-subscribed and no further 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.