Sunday 18 June 2023
Linden New Art, St Kilda
Members attended the launch of Carmel McKenzie's book, St Kilda 1841-1900: Movers and Shakers and Money-makers, at Linden New Art. The book was launched by the Mayor of Port Phillip, Heather Cunsolo.
A full-colour hardcover publication featuring 185 photographs and illustrations, the book draws on primary sources to examine the history of St Kilda during the nineteenth century.
A long-time local resident, Carmel began researching the former mansions and grand homes of St Kilda and East St Kilda as a personal project. After uncovering new information about owners and occupants, she expanded her research to explore broader themes and social dynamics and began writing the book in 2019.
The book is structured in five chapters:
- Clean, Green and Isolated: 1841-1850
- Fear and Flux: 1851-1855
- Transformation: 1856-1864
- 'An Embarrassment of Riches': 1865-1884
- The Icarus Years: 1885-1900
Author
Carmel McKenzie is the author of St Kilda 1841-1900: Movers and Shakers and Money-makers.
The Society assisted Carmel with a grant in 2021 and successfully auspiced an application to the City of Port Phillip's Cultural Development Fund for additional funding later that year. Society members and supporters John Bennetts and Ann Ryan also provided a private donation to help support the publication of the book.
Copies of the book were available for purchase at the launch.