AustLit

'Readers of this issue of the Journal may notice some changes to the style and format that have been introduced. The changes are quite minor but have been made for two main reasons, following extensive discussion with our New South Wales colleagues. First, there are changes that will bring both the Melbourne and Sydney editions in line with the format of similar publications. The changes include use of abstracts and keywords - as explained in the new comprehensive Style Guide, accessed from the link inside the front cover - which will aid the digitisation and on-line searching (and reading) of the Journal in future. The second reason for the changes is that the slightly different format will enable substantial savings in print costs, always a worthy endeavour! Plaudits to Louis de Vries of Hybrid Publishers for his input and advice regarding the new format, as well as for his help in other ways. ' (Editorial introduction)

Biography has always been an important part of historical research, even though there has often been a debate among historians about the exact role of individuals in the historical process and the value of individual biographies. Often family lore clashes with history and occasionally an unusual family story turns out to be true and can add to our knowledge of history. Understanding how the individual impacts on history and visa versa is very important in the historical process. This issue of the journal largely focuses on the history of a number of different individuals spanning the period from early colonial history to individual stories of participants in World War I and World War II, and three Jewish refugee stories, which highlight the challenges and difficulties faced by Viennese Jews who sought to flee Vienna after the Anschluss. As well, two articles focus on the early religious history of Sydney Jewry, one relating to the founding era and the other to the Great Synagogue. (Editorial)