Arts

The Allora District was deeply affected by the passing of Lyn Wright on Tuesday 8th November. As well as being a good friend to many locals, Lyn put her heart into making Allora a better place ... One of Lyn’s biggest achievements was the 150 Years Allora celebration week, as President of the Historical Society.

Internationally recognised geologist Dr John Jackson’s exhibition “The Art of Scottish Geology” opens at the Old Kirk, Yamba Museum on Tuesday December 13 ... The artworks depict what the earth’s activity and landscape looked like from 350 million years ago moving into the present day, including Australia.

The Brisbane Entertainment Centre became the classroom for Urbenville Public School students on Saturday, December 3. The students were special guests of rockstar Keith Urban. Teacher Mel Sifko said they “had the most magical night. We were ushered in through a VIP entrance to our own special room."

As a kid brought up on a cattle property in the New England Tablelands, Reggie Macleod vows she is going to swap the country for city life as soon as she can. And she's followed her dream. Everything is going to plan. Until one phone call rocks her world entirely.

Plan the trip of a lifetime with expert advice and a full itinerary from Australia's most popular travelling family. In the seven years since the 'Trip In A Van' family set off on their first adventure, they've covered tens of thousands of kilometres and become Australia's most popular travelling family.

Australia's master storyteller takes us all around the country, uncovering tales of unsolved crimes, early exploration and military exploits, fascinating natural phenomena and iconic destinations.

Where Lies The Heart is a rollicking tale set in the 1800's about whaling in the South Pacific, the cedar getters of the 'Big Scrub' in the far North Coast of New South Wales and the convicts of Norfolk Island.

Sheep farmer Suzanne Lewis has just published her first children’s book and had no further to look for something to write about than her own front paddock. “Queenie the Quad Lady” is the story of a remarkable ewe that captured Suzanne’s heart after giving birth to four lambs and successfully raising them all despite all the trials and tribulations a sheep can face.

A dedicated and permanent First Nations gallery, Djaa Djuwima, has officially opened at the Bendigo Visitor Centre with its first exhibition. Gurangarr Dja Dja Wurrung Djayi (you are on/in Dja Dja Wurrung Country) brings together stunning works from 20 First Nations artists and celebrates their connections to Country.

Charles Jangala Inkamala was born 1968 in Ntaria (Hermannsburg) ... Charles lives in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and began painting with Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists in 2017. He paints significant cultural sites such as Rwetyepme (Mount Sonder) and Yapalpe (Glen Helen Gorge) in stylized detail.

Aurukun’s famous ku’ (camp dog) carvings are among 160 works installed in the inaugural display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the newly located Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

At just 16 years of age Narrandera’s Xavier Beauchamp is a young talented up-and-coming professional rap artist from the Western Riverina who goes by Beacho2700 and whose original tracks are available through Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, Youtube and Sound Cloud. Beacho2700 is a combination of Xavier Beauchamp’s nickname and the postcode for Narrandera NSW where he comes from.

Researcher Jacqui Kennedy knows how to save photos and history. She helped Coraki Museum, Ballina Library and Ballina Naval Museum digitise their photos collections … a visit to Ray Hunt’s home at Tuckurimba two years ago led Jacqui to some astounding photos.

Nic Duncan’s photography work is not the glamorous kind. Far from it. Nic travels to the back of beyond to capture her subjects within their natural habitat. There’s no fictitious backdrops, no wardrobe assistant and certainly no makeup artist. It’s all about reflecting a person’s natural state. Raw and real, regional and rural she seeks the opposite of city and suburban.

Stephen Cranby. What is Roo Fest? Both Donna [Publican] and Mandy Connell [Organiser] agree. Roo Fest is about bringing artists together from around this region of Victoria to provide a venue for musicians who haven’t necessarily been heard or been up this way before.  

The latest two additions to the Koondrook Barham Red Gum Statue Walk were publicly revealed on Sunday, November 13. The Roy Higgins and Sidney Reid statues brings the Red Gum Statue Walk to a total of 20 features capturing the twin towns’ history, ecology and pioneering spirit ... “This walk is a very unique feature of our towns and highlights the versatility and magnificence of sustainable red gum timber": Tom Chick, KDC chairman.

‘A Common Thread is a collaboration between three Kuranda artists — Toni Rogers, Marcelle Dieben and Shiree Burnside,’ said Councillor Peter Hodge. ‘Each artist has a diverse background, but they have all been influenced by their grandmothers’ creative legacy and share passions for weaving, sewing, sculpting, and using recycled and natural materials.'

Sam’s memoir tells the story of his journey from farmhand to farmer. Along the way, it also explores the changing nature of farming, the complications of farm succession, and less traditional approaches to agriculture ... I had tears well up at some points, and laughed out loud at others.

It’s back! Buda brings the Traditional Arts Fair to Castlemaine on Sunday 20 November from 10am till 4pm. Buda will showcase traditional arts, cooking and gardening  in as many and varied forms as possible in the spirit of the Leviny daughters ... New this year is Gold Panning!

The Gomaren & Doctors Creek Catchment Landcare Group’s 6th Focus on Farms Photographic Competition attracted more than 400 entries this year ... Among the winners was the shot taken by Andrea Davis at East Greenmount. The eye-catching picture, entitled “A Boy and His Dog”, won the Open award for Best Photo of the Competition.

Sarah Donnelley's book Big Things Grow has been called a love song to a small country town but it is also a love song to the profession of teaching ... Sarah's beautifully written memoir recounts key events of her four fulfilling years working in what was a complex and challenging environment.