At the library
Christine Bolton
THE pie and literature - a tenuous connection?
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Perhaps, but who could forget “the four and twenty blackbirds”, the ones who began to sing?
Then there’s the infamous “Georgie Porgie” and “Little Jack Horner”.
What is the connection between pies and literature?
Answer: an exhibition at the library!
The meat pie is an iconic Australian product.
It is Australia’s own fast food, sold in corner stores, bakeries and bespoke pie stalls all over the country.
It is a staple at the football (all three codes), agricultural shows, and just about anywhere that people congregate.
But do you know its history?
The Australian Society for History of Engineering and Technology (ASHET), through a grant from the Australian Government’s Your Community Heritage program, has developed a nine-panel display.
Aptly named “The Meat Pie”, it traces the history of the pie from its origins in the ancient world to its place in today’s bakeries and supermarket freezers.
The classic Australian meat pie is a single serving, enclosed in pastry, with a filling of meat in gravy.
It’s traditionally sold over the counter, hot and ready to eat, often with tomato sauce and in a paper bag.
Pies are typically eaten for lunch – unless you’re a tradie, in which case you probably eat them for breakfast with chocolate milk.
There have been many changes to the pie over the years.
Once they were baked fresh daily for distribution to local pie shops, but these days most pies are sold from frozen section of the supermarket.
Nevertheless the meat pie has maintained its popularity and Australians eat an estimated 270 million meat pies annually.
In fact the meat pie has become Australia’s iconic fast food, in the company of Britain’s fish and chips, America’s hamburger, Mexico’s taco and Italy’s pizza.
But did you know New Zealanders eat more meat pies on average than Australians?
The average Kiwi eats 15 per year, compared with an Australian’s 12.
The ASHET display has toured around Sydney’s public libraries, and now it’s the rest of NSW’s turn to discover the evolution of the meat pie.
The Meat Pie will be on show at the Wagga Wagga City Library from November 2 to November 12, and at Junee Library from November 16 to November 27.
What’s on at the library?
The Friends of the Library Book Sale is on again -TODAY!
Don't miss your chance to get some excellent bargains!
Also, we welcome donations of high quality books and DVDs throughout the year.
Just ask one of our staff members if you're not sure.
- Where: Wagga Wagga City Library - Children's Area.
- When:Saturday 10th October, 9am to noon
- Reminder: No EFTPOS available.
Free Hearing Clinic
ONE in six Australians has a hearing loss. It's more common than you think.
WE SAID IT'S MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK!
Good news, though: getting your hearing checked is quick and easy and now accessible. Australian Hearing will conduct a FREE Hearing Clinic at the Wagga Wagga City Library.
Reserve your space today.
- Where: Wagga City Library - Community Learning Space
- When: Tuesday, October 27 , 10am to 1pm
- Bookings essential: 6926 9700 or wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Little Bang Discovery Club
THIS is a short-course membership-only program, with the aim of instilling confidence in asking and answering questions.
How does that happen?
Through a series of hands-on, genuine science-based educational workshops and at-home activities.
It's a four-part program (each Thursday in November) designed for children aged five to eight, with an accompanying parent or support adult.
- Where: Wagga City Library, Community Learning Space
- When: 4pm to 5:15pm, each Thursday in November.
- Cost: $35 (includes admission to all four workshops PLUS a Little Bang Discovery Box).
- Bookings essential: 6926 9700 or wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Opening Hours
- Monday: 11am to 6pm
- Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 6pm
- Saturday: 10am to 4pm