Arts

New resident to Donald, Lara Dormain has joined the shared shop with her business, “Take a seat with Lara”. Lara creates custom made art noveau designer chairs.

A new pictorial guide to wetland birds of north-east Victoria is now available to help for people to get to know their local birdlife. There are 52 species of wetland birds featured in the guide including 14 threatened species.

The 2025 Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) were held in Tamworth on January 25, with Clarence Valley country music star and proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man Troy Cassar-Daley one of the most celebrated artists on the night. Cassar-Daley won five Golden Guitars, bringing his total to a record 45.

Heather Fleming. A new book detailing the story of the Modern Merino sheep in Australia was launched at the Grampians Estate Cellar Door at Great Western last weekend. "Collinsville and Beyond: a pastoral history of the Modern Merino," was written by Chris Guthrie, well known breeder, classer and consultant from Rich Avon, near Donald.

Christine Webster. A Waikerie dance group featuring 12 women over the age of 60 is entertaining the community and keeping physically and mentally fit by taking part in weekly classes. The Waikerie Golden Girls Dance Troupe was formed after retired dance teacher Pam Tink started running classes for seniors at the local CWA Hall about three years ago.

Born in Wales, Paul spent his early childhood years amidst the rigours of the Great Depression... A career in the British Merchant Navy took him to all corners of the globe ... Settling in Australia, he took a job at the bottom of the rung of Woolworths, rising through the ranks to become perhaps its most successful CEO. When retirement should have beckoned, a third career as a Superfine Merino woolgrower has occupied Paul to the present day.

This February, the Wycheproof Railway Station will transform into a space of storytelling, healing, and connection as part of the “Visions of Tomorrow” workshops and exhibition. Guided by Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk artist Tanisha Lovett and Barkindji Ngiyampaa Maligundidj artist Tracy Wise, the “Visions of Tomorrow” initiative provides up to ten participants with an opportunity to explore artistic traditions, reflecting on their own connections and local history.

Serena Kirby. One of Denmark artist Peter Usher’s paintings has been selected for Leeuwin Estate’s Art Series wine labels. Peter joins the ranks of other leading Australian artists to appear on the labels that includes works by John Olsen, Arthur Boyd, Sir Sidney Nolan, Robert Juniper and Clifton Pugh.

One of the Clarence Valley’s most promising musical talents, Sumira Mahoney will say farewell to the region with a special concert including family and friends titled ‘Text Me Back’ at the Harwood Hall on January 31, before she leaves to study musical theatre in Sydney.

Sarah Brehaut. On Saturday 9th November the Dunoon Sports Club was pleased to host the Dunoon Music Festival, proudly sponsored by Planet Music. With seven bands lined up for the day, a sound engineer, volunteers galore, food vans scattered out the back and Anna’s Greek Kitchen fully stocked for the day what could possibly have gone wrong?

Twenty-five finalists were selected from over 80 entries, showcasing the incredible diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic expression ... The $10,000 Koori Mail Art Award was won by Penny Evans for 'The Elephant' 2024.

Joanna Tucker. Self-taught Wallaroo artist Debbie Seater has her art projected on the iconic Karoonda Silos in the Murray Mallee for all of January. Her eleven artworks have been created in multiple mediums —which is not uncommon for Ms Seater.

As you approach the home of potter/photographer Ellen Hansa- Stanyer you cannot avoid the feeling of being watched ... Firstly, you’re greeted at the gate by a white rabbit with table and teapot, ceramic figures from ‘Alice in Wonderland’; it’s a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on the fence!

Over fifty people gathered on Friday to celebrate the pop-up launch of the Wiregrass mural at the Kaniva Post Office. The mural depicts townsfolk queuing at the Post Office—a scene that celebrates the spirit of rural life when such places were essential for keeping communities connected.

They’re still talking about Chad Morgan’s  visit  to Bonalbo. He performed at the Dog n Bull Hotel in November 2022. Chad Morgan died on Wednesday, January 1. He was 91.

In a Galilee far, far away…. The Sunrise Christian School Naracoorte held its 2024 Christmas musical at the Town Hall last week. The musical, an interplanetary exploration to discover the Glory of God throughout the universe, and beyond, focused on showcasing the true meaning of Christmas.  

On Saturday, January 11, Watchem Church will have its proverbial roof lifted by the musical stylings of Taylor Sheridan and Brooke Taylor. Doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start at the “old church on the hill” and is bound to be an impressive night of country music for all.

Jackie Noonan. Standing proudly at the heart of the Wycheproof community is a remarkable former school building which has been beautifully restored to honour academic heritage while offering new life inspiration as the home to an impressive local history museum collection ... One could say there was no better place to host the recent book launch of “Wycheproof and District – The Way it Was”, as here it felt especially fitting; the space embodied the very heritage and pride that Prof’s work captures.

Picture yourself sitting on the banks of an idyllic creek, listening to wonderful music played by some of Australia’s most talented musicians and celebrating local traditional music and dance… Imagine no more! Upper Murray residents are invited to come and join in the fun and music at the Nariel Recreation Reserve on the banks of the beautiful Nariel Creek and also at the Memorial Hall Corryong, to welcome in the 2025 New Year.

Sarah Herrmann. An exhibition featuring works by two Narungga artists has been recognised with a statewide award. Saltbush Country, a Country Arts SA curation of seven regional Indigenous artists’ works, won the Outstanding Regional Event or Project ... Narungga sisters Deanna Newchurch and Lynette Newchurch worked together to create a major element of the exhibition — a possum-skin cloak thought to be the first of its kind made in more than 100 years.

Victoria Mathew reckons her name should be Mrs Christmas. She really loves Christmas – the mother of six children and grandmother to six started making Christmas decorations when she had her first child. “Christmas is my passion,” Victoria said. “I love everything about Christmas. It’s when I shine brightest.”

Jessica Howard’s Bush Wisdom brings together a collection of stories and photos of people from across rural Australia in the places they call home ... It is 240 pages of words and images that are a feast for the eyes as well as for the soul. If you live in rural Australia, so many of the images feel like home, although there is such a variety of locations that there are new landscapes to explore for everyone.