Wild Thyme – The Other Side of Song Tour, January 2022 – tickets on sale now
The inaugural Regional Venue Collective tour features Wild Thyme, the love-child of three of Australia’s most talented and captivating female artists, Arlene Fletcher on double bass and vocals, Katie Crane on guitar and vocals, and Laura Targett on fiddle and vocals.
Father Woods movement
Sheryl Lowe. Father Woods Park statues will be the focus of discussions between Wattle Range Council and the Penola Catholic Community in coming weeks ... Cr Price successfully moved for Council to approach the Catholic Church leaders at Penola to see if they would support the relocation of the statues to Penola due to the safety concerns at the current site.
Truck That
This book introduces the main characters in the Carter De Freitas series by Steve Rogers. The story is set in WA's far north, features road-train driver Carter De Freitas and his cattle dog Carpenter who are inadvertently caught up in a drug smuggling operation. De Freitas, an ageing character, picks up a young Swedish back packer, Elise Alquist, who is stranded after her vehicle breaks down on the way to a job as a cook/deckhand on a charter boat out of Broome ... Key to the story are the characters and scenery of the Pilbara and Kimberley region ... meet Carter in the extract here.
New release – Summer at Kangaroo Ridge
A stunning new rural romance from the bestselling author of The McCalister Legacy and Lawson's Bend. 'Heart-warming, captivating and absolutely perfect.' - Blue Wolf Reviews on The McCalister Legacy.
New release – Once Burnt, Twice Shy
From the best-selling Karly Lane comes a pitch-perfect story of rural tragedy, old flames reawakened and the meaning of home. A tribute to the Rural Fire Service and the work they selflessly do.
New release – Great Australian Mysteries
Australia's master storyteller Graham Seal brings to life the enigmas and puzzles behind famous unsolved crimes, long-held secrets, buried loot and strange phenomena from the bush and the city. Australia has always been a land of mysteries. Some are ancient, some are historical, and many continue to perplex us today - and will probably continue to do so tomorrow.
Mid West Art Prize dazzles
On Saturday night over 500 guests celebrated the launch of the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery’s signature exhibition the Mid West Art Prize to applaud the artists who secured this year’s awards.
Book – Not for Self But for All: A History of the Art Gallery of Ballarat Association
Commended in the Local History Small Publication Award, 2019 Victorian Community History Award. This award recognises the best small publications or or e-books which feature Victorian local, cultural or social history. The fascinating story of the establishment and development of the Art Gallery of Ballarat has been told in a book by noted Ballarat historian Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter.
Program announced for 21st Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster
Block your diaries, book your trip and get your tickets to the hottest festival in Australia, the Boab Metals Ord Valley Muster held 13 to 22 May 2022 in Kununurra in Western Australia’s East Kimberley. A highlight of the ten-day festival is the Aviair HeliSpirit Kimberley Moon Experience headlined by Australian rock legend Ian Moss along with Sheppard, Baker Boy and King Stingray held on Saturday 14 May at the Muster Hub, on the banks of Lake Kununurra and walking distance to town.
Unveiling of preschool community art
Last Sunday Maldon Preschool unveiled their beautiful decorative mosaic. Located at the front of the preschool the mosaic pays tribute to the local area and Mt Tarrengower. The two metre long project is the culmination of art sessions at the preschool with the children, as well as community outreach activities and incorporates links to families of the region and the local environment.
A platform for the blues
Last Saturday proved ideal for the second of SteamPacket’s railway platform Blues Masters gigs. The Master this time being the Mistress of the Blues Guitar, Fiona Boyes, who accomplishes the almost impossible task of singing highly expressive lyrics while playing highly complex blues licks at the same time with astonishing ease. (Something B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton never mastered. They sing, then they play: or vice versa.)
Anglican parish news – headers to harvest
Ruth Arthur. On Monday, following a call from my sister, Diane, that she thought there might be a photo opportunity in Moulamein not seen before, I travelled to see her and the new experience for Moulamein that was about to happen.
Library upgrade celebrates Nambour’s history
A special morning tea event at Sunshine Coast Council’s Nambour and Heritage Library has celebrated the venue’s contemporary and vibrant new look. Division 10 and Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said the Nambour and Heritage Libraries formed an integral part of our hinterland community, with more than 87,000 people coming through their doors during the past 12 months.
When you invite Envite, the weeds are pulled and native flora saved
Two years ago, bushfire ravaged Bungawalbin land. Property owner Jimmy Malecki had to flee his home known as The Bog on the day the fire tore through the tall trees. The film maker is documenting the recovery from the bushfire which includes regular visits from the Envite team. Envite coordinator Maree Thompson said they were working with Landcare groups and about 10 private landowners and working on seven National Park reserves.
The Old Kirk excites with ‘Artography’
Gai Pritchett. A collaboration of art and photography is featured in Julianne Gosper’s intricate detailed paintings of amazing birds and animals and the ethereal photography of Brian McGrath. “Artography” will be exhibited at the Old Kirk, Yamba Museum from Friday November 26 to Thursday December 23, 2021 ... Julianne Gosper is a Clarence Valley based artist who has had a lifelong fascination with the natural world ... Photographer Brian (Dino) McGrath spent his initial childhood years in the small town of Harden/Murrumburrah in the Riverina Region of NSW.
Book review – Sold Down the River
An in-depth review of an excellent, timely and well-written book. Sold Down The River is really a text book on water trading for the uninitiated which sums up the tragedy of the Murray-Darling created by successive governments of all persuasions. Highly recommended.
Announcing the winner of the 2021 New England Writers’ Centre Fellowship
In partnership with Varuna, The National Writers’ House, the New England Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce Armidale writer, Dr James O’Hanlon as the winner of the 2021 Varuna/New England Writers’ Centre Fellowship. The Fellowship, to be taken up in 2022, will give James a week’s inspirational writing residency in the beautiful surroundings of Varuna, in the Blue Mountains.
Book launch at the Book Wolf
Annabel Harz’s new book, 'Journey into the Shadow and Sunshine', is being launched at the Book Wolf on Friday 26 November at 6pm ... Her art and poetry are a blend of works from adolescent through to adulthood and are a powerful portrayal of the depths of depression and despair that many are able to relate to.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery brings significant artworks of regional Victoria onto Google Arts & Culture
Over 100 artworks from Central Goldfields Art Gallery now can be viewed online on Google Arts & Culture by people around the world, due to a new partnership between Google and the Gallery. Central Goldfields Art Gallery is the latest Australian partner to join more than 2,000 cultural institutions from over 80 countries across the globe, bringing important works from regional Victoria online, for the world to explore and enjoy.
Experimenta Life Forms: International Triennial of Media Art
Experimenta Life Forms reveals how contemporary artists are exploring notions of life, at a time when technological change and new research findings are making definitions of ‘life’ increasingly difficult to pin down.
New SAM building now open
Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to announce the official virtual opening of the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) building on Friday 19 November at 7.00pm. The virtual opening will be available online for everyone to view and will feature some very special guests and presenters.
Hard way to make a crust: Steve Rogers
We're getting a new header, a bloody big one,
I dunno what colour, but we’ll take off two tonne,
I want to be able to take it off fast,
I'm scared to death this dream won't last,
I've been chasing a crop like this since I started,
when seeding new land wasn't for the faint hearted,
Stumps and droughts and tight fisted banks,
and promising seasons that just fired blanks ...

