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Arts Bulletin 272 24 April 2008
This Week's Feature - Baitlayers and Babbling Brooks - An Exhibition About Australia's Shearers' Cooks
|  Maggie Moore started as a Shearers' Cook in 1986 and has catered for up to 45 shearers in the mess.
 "I do remember it was a long day, mostly starting at 5am and finishing at 9.30 to 10pm, with very little rest in between." Bruce Creenaune, Shearers' Cook, 1950s
 Some of the shearers' cooks' typical ingredients on display at the Baitlayers & Babbling Brooks exhibition
| "Who Called the Cook a Bastard? Who Called the Bastard a Cook?"
Baitlayers and Babbling Brooks - An Exhibition on Shearers' Cooks explores the changing working conditions and demands of the typical shearers' cook lifestyle, from both a historical and contemporary aspect. Step inside this exhibition to learn about some of Australia's most colourful shearing cooks past and present, and investigate the folklore and history of the shearers cook profession, as well as the recipes of these wonderful cooking characters. The exhibition provides an introduction to the culture of the shearing shed, often dominated by larrikin behaviour and dry Aussie humour, as the title of the exhibition suggests: 'Baitlayer' (also meaning 'poisoner') is a slang term used for cook, whilst 'Babbling Brooks' is rhyming slang for 'Cooks'.
As well as examining the folklore and history of the shearers cook profession, the exhibition also investigates the Cook's role in looking after the physical and emotional well being of the shearers.
"I do remember it was a long day, mostly starting at 5.00am and finishing at 9.30 to 10.00pm, with very little rest in between." Bruce Creenaune, Shearers' Cook, 1950s.
It takes a couple of minutes to shear a sheep, and a good shearer can shear up to 200 sheep per day. But to do this you need to consume a lot of calories. Part of the exhibition features a table laden with photographic images to display the type and amount of food one shearer would consume in a day, and recipes are a key feature of the exhibition.
Like the shearers, the cook is expected to be practical, resourceful and adept at making do. He or she has to be used to working under pressure in a variety of cookhouses and usually alone, and be able get the job done in a seamless, no nonsense manner.
Just as humour has always been an integral part of life in the shearing shed, so too has superstition. The exhibition features a jelly mould to illustrate the story about how the shearers would not allow the cook to make green jelly, which was thought to bring rain, wet sheep and no shearing!
Life in the sheds was governed by energy saving practicalities. Electricity didn't come to some districts until the mid 1950s. Prior to this, food was kept cool and vermin proof in food safes and later kerosene fridges. These were notoriously temperamental, often working one day and then not the next. A spirit level was used by the cook to ensure the fridge was level.
Baitlayers and Babbling Brooks provides a unique insight into the life of a shearers cook, the iconic folklore, history and the effect they continue to have on the shearing industry, telling the stories and evoking the atmosphere of the cook house and the shearing shed.
| Dates: | To 13 July 2008 | | Times: | 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday 1 to 5pm Saturday and Sunday | | Venue: | National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Adult $7.30 Concession $5.90 Child $3.65 Family (2 Adults and up to 4 children) $20 | | Contact: | (03) 5227 0701 | | Email: | nwminfo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au | | Website: | www.nwm.vic.gov.au |
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| Performing Arts | *NEW* Spud Club Jam Session and Open Mic Come along tonight to the very first Spud Club. We welcome any interested people, family, or youth to all come along. The night will be casual and relaxed with local performers and budding performers taking to the stage. The event is licensed and so any persons under the age of 18 will need to be in the company of an adult. Entry cost is low and attendees will receive their own Spud Club card. The night will be set with tables and chairs and should have a great family friendly atmosphere. It is hoped that this will become a regular event at the Potato Shed. Parisian Soiree - Elysium Ensemble The music in this program displays the intimacy, delicacy, refinement and, above all, the douceur ('sweetness') of the chamber music written during the age of Louis XIV and Louis XV. This is the music of elegant conversation that, with the natural charm and sensitivity of its melodies and the classical beauty of its forms, delights the intellect and moves the heart. Greg Dikmans, baroque flute brings the Ensemble again to Geelong together with Lucinda Moon, baroque violin, Laura Vaughan, bass violion and Donald Nicolson, harpsichord to play the music of Couperin, Marais, Leclair and Telemann. Courthouse Youth Arts Centre - Multiple Listings *NEW* Fast+Fresh - The Smash Hit Short Play Festival - Hits Geelong! Four fresh acts. Four groups of fast-rising young thespians. One stage. Who will be Geelong's representative to the Fast+ Fresh final at the Victorian Arts Centre in Melbourne? Featuring: Bursting the Bubble (Corio Bay Senior College), Lucky (Newcomb Secondary College), Yes, I'm Different (Newcomb Secondary College), Jekyll and Hyde (Western Heights College). Listen to them tell stories about teen parenthood, Hollywood dreams, bullying and individualism. Come and have a piece of bite-size theatre. It's a short play festival like no other!
| Dates: | 24 April 2008 | | Time: | 6 to 8pm | | Cost: | $5 Membership of Courthouse Youth Arts Centre including free ticket Full $15 Concession $10 | *NEW* Short Circuit Short Circuit is a series of cabaret style performance evenings leading to a 'best of' short performance festival at the culmination of 2008. In this first instalment, the stage will be handed over to young theatre makers who only have one constraint - their performance cannot be any longer than ten minutes in duration. Come along to the Courthouse and see what is on the minds of these young theatre makers as they take you on a journey of the issues that mean the most to them.
| Dates: | 26 April 2008 | | Time: | 7 to 9pm | | Cost: | $5 Membership of Courthouse Youth Arts Centre including free ticket Full $15 Concession $10 | Little Murders Of Little Murders, Jules Feiffer wrote that it was "..a 'post assassination play', set in the age of urban paranoia where motiveless mass murder is as much a part of the atmosphere as air and noise pollution." Sounds depressing does''t it? Although the play is one of the most devastating hatchet jobs on civilisation ever seen on the stage, it is a cruel but also very funny caricature of modern life. Originally set in the America of the 1960s, it feels as fresh today as it was then. For better or worse, maybe we've just caught up. Karl Marx is supposed to have said that history repeats itself - at first as tragedy then as farce. Little Murders can show us how. The play centres on the Newquist family. Superficially happy, they are absolutely typical of what we might call the silent majority. They live in a kind of bubble, content with their lives. But what happens when reality simply doesn't co-operate? Or worse, when it intrudes uninvited?
| Dates: | To 26 April 2008 | | Time: | Evening performances 8pm | | Venue: | Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation Street, Geelong West | | Cost: | Adult $20 Concession $18 Student $12 | | Contact: | (03) 5225 1200 | | Email: | info@geelongrep.com.au | | Website: | www.geelongrep.com.au | *NEW* 2008 Musical Mornings Julie Anthony Set To Light Up Musical Mornings Australia's leading lady Julie Anthony makes an all-too-rare appearance in her stunning one woman show. A certified national treasure, Julie will be performing as part of the 2008 Musical Mornings Season One program. Julie holds a unique place in the heart of the Australian entertainment industry. Her long list of achievements on the concert stage, in musicals, cabaret and on television reflect a remarkable career spanning almost 30 years, in which time she has had numerous awards and accolades bestowed upon her. Some of these include Entertainer of the Year (three times), Best Female Vocalist (twelve times), Best Newcomer Actress and Best Television Variety Performer. Now clearly on top of the Australian show business tree, Julie is one of the most consummate performers on any stage anywhere. From the Sydney Opera House to London's West End and back again, Julie is truly one of this country's most acclaimed performers. Backed by Kevin Hocking at the piano, this show will be one of the year's highlights.
| Dates: | 30 April and 1 May 2008 | | Time: | 10.30am | | Venue: | Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Little Malop Street, Geelong | | Cost: | $15.40 single tickets Subscriptions also available | | Contact: | (03) 5225 1200 | | Website: | www.gpac.org.au | *NEW* Stained An exploration of the seductive nature of violence gets ready to shake Geelong by its shoulders. Stained, a new full-length play by Geelong playwright Chris Muir, is soon to be premiered at the Courthouse Youth Arts Centre. This edgy exploration of responses to violence in today's society will challenge its audience and bring a genuinely contemporary work to a regional audience. Initially a creative writing thesis, Stained has been workshopped and rehearsed by director Kylie Gral, who has directed three Chris Muir works in both Melbourne and Geelong to packed houses of both veteran performers and new theatre-going audiences. Stained explores the political, social and individual responses to violence in our imperfect world. WARNING: This performance is for over 18s only, as it contains scenes of simulated violence, sexual activity and graphic language.
| Dates: | 1 to 3 May 2008 | | Time: | 9.30 to 10.30pm | | Venue: | Courthouse Youth Arts Centre, (Stott Theatre), Corner of Gheringhap and Little Malop Streets, Geelong | | Cost: | Adult $15 Concession $10 Membership of Courthouse Youth Arts Centre including entry $20 | | Contact: | (03) 5227 0689 | | Website: | www.courthouse.org.au |
*NEW* The Best Of The Apollo Fest International music artists Martin Stephenson (UK) and Neema (Canada) come to the Potato Shed. The Shed is delighted to be presenting this outstanding showcase of two extraordinarily talented singer songwriters. These two acts are some of the highlight artists of the 2008 Apollo Bay Music Festival who will give you an intimate magical night of music, along with Geelong based band The Periscopes. Martin Stephenson first toured Australia in 2005 where he played to packed houses in Melbourne and Sydney. Martin is a supremely gifted singer, songwriter, musician and performer, whose career in music stretches back more than twenty years. From playing the Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool with Janis Ian to singing in Tee Pees, Martin captivates all in any environment. Canadian artist, NEeMA, will take you on a musical journey from the streets of Egypt to the tribal singing of Canada's Great North. Musically Nema reaches beyond the dreamy folk and weaves in hints of Arabic, Inuit, Hindu and African inspiration. Suitable for all ages. Presented by Premier Artists/CCP and The Potato Shed. Tickets at the door or at any City of Greater Geelong Service Centre. Bamboozle Bamboozle treat Geelong audiences to a mixture of groove, jazz and gospel in the oh so stylish Mr Hyde. Snacks, mains and full bar service available.
| Dates: | 4 May 2008 | | Time: | 5 to 8pm | | Venue: | Mr Hyde, 11 Malop Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Free | | Contact: | (03) 5223 1228 | *NEW* Ole Ola Fabio Robles and Ana Andre, the Australian Tango Champions, are coming to Geelong to perform one of Fabio's finest productions, Ole Ola. Fabio Robles is one of the most talented choreographers in Australia and the foremost exponent of Tango Argentino. He also was the choreographer for the musical hit Dirty Dancing, and worked on television for Dancing With The Stars and more recently So You Think You Can Dance. Ole Ola will take you through the music of South America, to experience the passion of the Argentinian Tango, the rhythms of Cuba and the magic of Brazil, with ten dancers on stage plus the scorchingSydney based band Quien te Juna? (which in Spanish means Who Knows You?)
| Dates: | 9 May 2008 | | Time: | 8pm | | Venue: | Blakiston Theatre, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Adult $40 Concession $35 | | Contact: | (03) 5225 1200 | | Website: | www.gpac.org.au | Dancetalk - 2008 A unique networking opportunity and social gathering of local Geelong dancers and teachers, this informal event focuses on making new connections and celebrates the contribution of all dance educators in our community. You will also get to see some wonderful short performances and work in progress showings, up close in a relaxed studio setting. So, please come along and join us for extended conversations with new and old friends. All welcome. Bookings essential for catering purposes. Music At The Basilica - Seasons 2008 Thomas Heywood, Australia's most exciting organist with rave reviews world wide, will perform great organ masterpieces and his own transcriptions of orchestral works. In describing Thomas, critics in the UK, New York and Europe have used words like "Stunning...Flawless...Brilliant...What a concert!", and the Dallas Morning News, USA actually said "organ recital" and "fun" in the same sentence! Don't even think of missing him! Because it is Mothers' Day, there is one free ticket for any group of three that includes a mother.
* Music at the Basilica is a City of Greater Geelong Community Arts Grants Program-funded event.
| Dates: | 11 May 2008 | | Times: | 3pm | | Venue: | The Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, 135 Yarra Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Adult $17 Concession $14 Children under 12 Free Tickets at the door | | Contact: | (03) 5223 3554 | | Email: | music.basilica@bigpond.com
| | Website: | www.stmarysgeelong.com.au |
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| Visual Arts | CAVALIER GALLERY Encore: A Survey Of Recent Works By Past Exhibiting Artists Celebrating five years of successful solo and group exhibitions, ten artists have been brought together to produce a group show of paintings, drawings and prints. While the focus is on recent works, the exhibition also provides a survey of the individual artists' journeys over these years. The artists are: Anthony Twining, Betty Kilner, Deb Brearley, Jenny Darling, Mary Black, Michele Zwilling, Richard Glasson, Ryan Brearley, Tom Bolton, Trish Mulcahy. Opening:
| Dates: | 26 April 2008 | | Time: | 3 to 5pm | Exhibition: GEELONG GALLERY Exhibition - Robert Hollingworth Robert is a mid-career artist and this series of paintings are inspired by the wild and rocky ranges near Tallarook and the story of Henricke Nelsen, a 'wildman' who was seen running through the forest near Tallarook, Central Victoria in 1879. Nelsen was eventually captured, tried for vagrancy and sentenced to six months gaol. He'd been living quietly on Mt. Tallarook in a secret underground dwelling for fourteen years. Robert Hollingworth now has a rural property just a few minutes walk from where Nelsen had his underground hideaway.
| Dates: | To 27 April 2008 | | Times: | Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm Weekends and Public Holidays 1pm to 5pm | | Venue: | Geelong Gallery, Little Malop Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Free | | Contact: | (03) 5229 3645 | | Website: | www.geelonggallery.org.au | NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM Still Going Strong: Geelong's Independent Traders Staying in business isn't easy! This National Wool Museum exhibition produced in conjunction with writer and photographer Ian Kenins looks at twelve small, independent traders from throughout Geelong, who despite all the odds, have continued trading in the same business for thirty, forty, even fifty or more years. The traders vary from shoe repairs to real estate, and from sewing machines to hairdressing, but the theme remains the same - a dedication to their business and to serving their customers, and resilience in the face of progress. Featuring biographical stories with large scale photographic portraits of the traders and displays of objects vital to the businesses.
| Dates: | To 22 June 2008 | | Times: | 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday 1 to 5pm Saturday and Sunday | | Venue: | National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong | | Cost: | Adult $7.30 Concession $5.90 Child $3.65 Family (2 Adults and up to 4 children) $20 | | Contact: | (03) 5227 0701 | | Email: | nwminfo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au | | Website: | www.nwm.vic.gov.au | THE OLD MILL Macaulay Allen and Friends Art Show This exhibition includes a number of local artists and offers a wide range of styles. An initiative of the Port Arts Network, it encourages local artists to exhibit, some for the first time. The local photography group, Port Snappers will also have a display. Opening:
| Dates: | 25 April 2008 RSVP essential | | Time: | 5pm | Exhibition:
| Dates: | 25 April to 4 May 2008 | | Time: | 12 to 4pm | | Venue: | The Old Mill, Turner Court, Portarlington | | Cost: | National Trust entry | | Contact: | (03) 5259 1593 |
*NEW* THE WINTERGARDEN lianne @ wintergarden Lianne Gough, local artist and 2007 Winner of the Gallipoli Prize is opening an exhibition of her new works. This exciting selection of work showcases Lianne's unique style and perspective. While the exhibition also includes landscapes, Lianne has again chosen to focus on portraiture which demonstrates her passion for chronicling the human spirit. Her paintings describe the subjects' attitude to life, by the look in their eyes, the way they stand or their place on the canvas. Art enthusiasts and professionals alike will be able to appreciate and enjoy this selection of works, giving us a glimpse of our community through one woman's eyes. Everyone is welcome to the opening of an exhibition of new works by Lianne Gough. Opening: | Dates: | 4 May 2008 | | Time: | 3 to 6pm | Exhibition:
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| Festivals and Events | Barwon Heads Film Society Inc. screening – Mon Oncle This is Jacques Tati's first colour film, featuring his Chaplinesque character, Monsieur Hulot. Monsieur Hulot's brother-in-law is the manager of a factory where plastics are manufactured. His nephew grows up in a house where everything is fully automated and the boy is raised in a similar fashion. To take away the influence of the uncle on his son, his brother-in-law gets Hulot a job in his factory. The film is an understated satire of the 1950's modernist vision of the house filled with the latest technology, and is a must for anyone interested in the era's idea of interior style. It won the 1958 Special Jury Prize at Cannes and the 1959 Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Cast: Jacques Tati, Adrienne Servantie, Jean-Pierre Zola. Made in 1958 it runs for 116 mins. Rated G.
| Dates: | 24 April 2008 | | Time: | 7.30pm | | Venue: | Barwon Heads Community Hall, cnr Hitchcock Ave and Ozone Road, Barwon Heads | | Cost: | Membership or donation | | Contact: | (03) 5254 2138 | | Website: | www.barwonheads | Bellarine Rail Trail Family Fun Day There will be a free train ride, sausage sizzle, showbag and entertainment for the first 300 registrations. Walk or jog 5.6km to Swan Bay Road or ride 11km to Suma Park Station with a Major Prize drawn at 1.30pm Philosophy Cafe Deakin University and Geelong's 'Peace Works Unlimited' invites people who want a change from small-talk to come to the Philosophy Café on the last Wednesday every month. Join in lively discussion with questions, opinions and reasoning on contemporary issues while partaking of a free glass of wine and nibbles. This month's topic is Geelong Grammar School's Educational Philosophy presented and led by Mr Stephen Meek, Principal, Geelong Grammar.
| Dates: | 30 April 2008 | | Time: | 7 to 9pm | | Venue: | The Barking Dog, 126 Pakington Street, Geelong West | | Cost: | Donations welcome | | Contact: | Therese (03) 5272 1214 | | Email: | thereses@pipeline.com.au to be put on the mailing list | *NEW* Jacob's Night A fun night for a great cause featuring: Sarah Carroll, the Gems, Utopia, Comedy Duo 'Ted & Ethel', D.J. Slav, plus auctions throughout the evening. Jacob is 10 years old; when he was 18 months of age he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy eventually end up in wheelchairs and as the disease progresses, lose function in their hands and arms. Jacob's family need our support to renovate their house to enable Jacob to move freely about his home in his electric wheelchair. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the venue on the night. This is a fundraising event with all profits going to Jacob and his family.
| Dates: | 10 May 2008 | | Time: | 7pm to late | | Venue: | The Potato Shed, Peninsula Drive, Drysdale | | Cost: | $25 | | Contact: | (03) 5251 1998 |
*NEW* Central Geelong Farmers Market Experience the best of the region's delicious fresh produce and unique gourmet treats including fruit and vegetables, flowers, cheese, spices, chutneys, pesto, wine, preserves, bread, pasta and more. Enjoy live entertainment, a seasonal cooking school, a miniature animal farm and face painting for the kids!
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| Opportunities and Employment | Position Vacant – Back To Back Theatre Giving Manager This exciting new 3 day-a-week role will work within a team to grow philanthropic support for Back to Back Theatre. Each year, the company presents major theatre works in Geelong, Melbourne and across the world. Applications close 5pm Friday 2 May 2008. Contact Stacey Baldwin for a Position Description or more information on (03) 5221 2029 or stacey@backtobacktheatre.com EOI: Girls Express Seeking Guest Artists Girls Express, an after school hours activity program for girls aged 10 to 14, based at Cloverdale Community Centre, is seeking expressions of interest from artists across all artforms to run sessions. Girls Express is a weekly two hour session for approximately 20 to 25 girls. We are seeking artists who can deliver an informal and fun session in their chosen artform that involves the girls and achieves an outcome within the timeslot. Past activities have included jewellery making, dance, print making, cooking, badge making, writing and poetry. The girls enjoy the chance to try new and challenging activities and are keen to develop new art and craft skills. Artist fees are in line with the Australia Council for the Arts recommendations. As the program is for girls only, we particularly encourage applications from women artists. All Girls Express sessions are supported by Cloverdale staff and volunteers. Girls Express is supported by funding from City of Greater Geelong and Shell Community Grants program. Please send your expression of interest to Sue Hartigan, Manager, Cloverdale Community Centre, 167 to 169 Purnell Road, Corio 3214 or by email to cloverdale@datafast.net.au by the closing date of 7 May 2008. Call for Actor - Cloudstreet The production team of Geelong Repertory Theatre's Cloudstreet are looking for a male actor aged from 25 to 35 years old for the lead role in this June production of this classic Australian play by Tim Winton. The performer should have a strong acting ability and be available to start rehearsals immediately. For further details please contact the director, Mike Ellis at ellimike@gmail.com or (03) 5241 3338. |
| Education | Brougham Arts School and Gallery - Multiple Listings Saturday Life Drawing - Untutored Male and female models. Long and short poses. BYO paper and materials.
| Dates: | Saturday (weekly) | | Time: | 1 to 3pm | | Cost: | $12 per session | Digital Photography On Saturdays (Introductory Level) Learn new skills and techniques using your digital camera while on various locations around Geelong. Use Photoshop to further enhance and refine your digital photographs. *NEW* Gordon Institute of TAFE - Multiple listings Foundations In Painting This course will teach you basic techniques required to create acrylic paintings.
| Dates: | 7 May to 4 June 2008 (5 classes) | | Time: | 6 to 9 pm | | Venue: | Gordon Institute of TAFE, City Campus, Fenwick Street, Geelong | | Cost: | $250 (Students to supply own materials as per list issued on enrolment) | | Contact: | (03) 5225 0680 | | Email: | specialistcourses@gordontafe.edu.au | | Website: | www.gordontafe.edu.au |
Digital Photography For Digital SLR Cameras - Advanced Prerequisite: Participation in the Digital Photography for Digital SLR Cameras course or have appropriate skills. This course will cover some advanced digital photography skills including posing, lighting, speed light, image manipulation, image enhancement and Photoshop tools, file formats and output options.
Artist In A Day Unleash the artist within during this crash course and have fun exploring and experimenting with basic elements of art. Artists will be encouraged to experiment with a variety of different mediums and basic art techniques in a friendly and non-intimidating atmosphere. Some mediums will include: pencil, pastels, conte/charcoal, pen and ink, watercolour and acrylic paints. Techniques will include: gestural drawing, contour drawing, still life and observation sketching, abstract painting, tonal drawing and shading, hatching and crosshatching, complementary and harmonious colours. Artists will also have the opportunity take their finished artwork home with them on the day.
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