Australia: National Journal
Australia: National Journal was a monthly arts and lifestyle magazine from Sydney Ure Smith’s Art in Australia company, published from July 1939 to October 1946. It began as Australia, a quarterly magazine devoted to art, literature, architecture, industry and travel, with a strong emphasis on quality photography and printing. The publisher was Ure Smith Pty Ltd at Federation House, 166 Phillip Street, Sydney, already known for high-end art printing and titles like Art in Australia and The Home. Support came from retailer Charles Lloyd Jones and designer R. Haughton James.
In December 1940, it was relaunched as Australia: National Journal, a smaller monthly magazine. The first issue (Winter 1939), priced at two shillings, featured Pattie Menzies and pieces by Lionel and Norman Lindsay. Critics praised some articles, such as Lionel Lindsay’s Decadence and Resurgence, while others, like Norman Lindsay’s Modern Business Calls In the Psychologist, drew sharp criticism for historical and philosophical errors and a lack of coherence.
The second issue (September–October 1939) included essays on sculptor Arthur Fleischmann and “The Inside Story of Fashion in Australia.” The April 1940 issue covered “Australia in the Air” (the RAAF) and “From Little Lamb to Mary” (the wool trade). The June–August 1940 issue looked at the Australian Navy at sea and Australian trade in the Netherlands East Indies. The September–November 1940 issue included post-war reconstruction by B. S. B. Stevens, “The Future of Tropical Australia” by A. H. Lowndes, “Woman and the Factory” by Linda Littlejohn, and “The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance” by Sir Herbert Gepp, plus a story by Ure Smith, “Ali the Printer.”
December 1940 saw the first cheaper monthly tabloid format (1s. 6d.). It included Kenneth Macqueen’s watercolor The Bunyip Hole, Marjorie Barnard’s Parade of Women, Alan D. Mickle’s The Cross about a Sydney district, and another Ure Smith story. January 1941 featured Margaret Preston on a trip around Australia and a satirical piece on Society by Dymphna Cusack. February 1941 presented an article on dress designer Mavis Ripper, a Poet’s Quiz by Jean Stanger, and photography by H. P. Cazneaux, Fleischmann, with a direct-color cover by Rob Hillier.
Several omnibus issues titled Australia — Week-end Book were produced, likely in the style of the English Week-End Book, for Christmas mail to troops overseas.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:22 (CET).