News Archive

Brian and Joan Pope present ‘Brom’ and ‘Tom’: Philatelists “Coincidences and Connections in our Collections”

Tuesday 12th March 2019, 7:30pm

Reid Library Ground Floor, Hemsley Suite

Brian Pope was President of the Musicians Union and Principal Bassoon in the WA Symphony Orchestra when he developed a noise-induced hearing loss and had to retire in 1978.

At Murdoch University, 1979 -1990, his M. Phil thesis was titled Postal Services in Western Australia: 1826-1901: The Growth of an Organisation .

He is an Honorary Associate of the WA Museum and, as a volunteer, has tended their stamp collections for over forty years. His The Philatelic Collection of the Western Australian Museum was published in 1991 and awarded a Vermeil Medal at ‘PHILA NIPPON’ in Tokyo and at ‘GRANADA’ in Spain, in 1992.

Brian was awarded the E.M.Hasluck Medal in 1985 and the Australian Philatelic Order Research Award in 1997. The Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria made him a Fellow in September 2012.

He has exhibited competitively at local, Australian, and International exhibitions, receiving Gold Medals at ‘AmeriStamp’ in Toronto, April 2006 and at ‘EFIRO’ in Bucharest, June 2008, for The Half-penny Postage Stamps of Western Australia, 1884-1912 .

Brian is a foundation member and former Secretary of the WA Study Group formed in 1974 and has edited and produced the Black Swan , quarterly, since March 1979.

Brian and Joan met in 1954 at a Uni Dramatic Society audition, married the following year and have become well-used to ‘finding research things’ for each other’s projects. Their house is a treasure trove of family histories, theatre, music and movement education interests and general paraphernalia which ‘often comes in handy’. Together with friends in music, theatre and dance, they instigated the Festivals for Children in 1965, “CATS” (Children’s Activities Times Society).

Currently Deputy Warden, stepping down after four years, Joan was Warden of Convocation during the lead up to the 75th Anniversary, has gathered information on the Dramatic Society (est. 1917); the early years Convocation in Irwin Street and students, staff and Convocation members’ involvement with the Great War. This with Brian’s help, corrected omissions and errors in the University Honour Board. The Armistice exhibition in the Colonnade Gallery at the University Club, is on display until Anzac Day.

Joan was the first student in Arts to enrol in Music 1 (1954). BA., Dip. Ed., (UWA); B.Ed., M.Ed. (ECU);
Diplôme Supérieur, Dalcroze Eurhythmics (Geneva). Her PhD (Monash) researched the history in Australasia of Dalcroze Eurhythmics 1918-1928 and gained ASME Callaway Music Education Award.
Honoured with an OAM for ‘services to the creative arts’; Centenary Medal of Federation; UWA Chancellor’s Medal; AUSDANCE National Award for ‘services to dance education’; Fellow of ACHPER (Physical Education, Recreation and Dance), Joan was the inaugural recipient of the Australia Council’s Community Arts Travel Fellowship (1980) and co-awardee of the WA Govt. Women’s Fellowship (1984) for research in Arts, Education and Leisure Activities for Older Women.

“Just as well we didn’t throw out those old magazines. Thank goodness our parents saved things and we can recycle facts … we hesitate to think what the grandchildren will do with all the stuff.”

Doors open 7pm, talk commences 7:30pm Cost: $5 donation (Free for Friends of the Library Members)

RSVP:
Kathryn Maingard – [email protected] or 08 6488 2356
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brom-and-tom-philatelists-tickets-56459461770

Media references

University Library +61 8 6488 7425