Bendigo RAW Arts awards now open.

2010 RAW ARTS AWARDS. The City of Greater Bendigo, is calling on young creative artists to enter the 2010 Raw Art Awards. These annual awards are a great way for young people just starting in their creative field to gain recognition as well as possibly take home a substantial financial award. Each year when the awards are announced the artists get a chance to display their work for the delight and critique of their peers, friends and strangers alike. “We know we have an abundance of talented young people and we are keen for them to be recognised through these awards, said City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Rod Campbell. “The awards provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase our creative young people and I encourage all young artists to enter the category that best showcases their talent.” “Categories include the Visual Arts Acquisitive Award, Literature scholarship, Performing arts scholarship and Multi-media scholarship, with each category carrying a first prize of $1,000. “This year for the first time each category will also include a Highly Commended prize worth $250.” Application close Friday March 26 and are open to residents of the City of Greater Bendigo aged 26 and under on 13 April 2010. Award winners will be announced at the opening of the 2010 Raw Art Exhibition set to take place at Dudley House from Tuesday April 13 to Sunday April 18 during Youth Week 2010. Information and application forms are available to download online from the RAW Arts Award page at <a href="http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au" title="RAW arts awards" rel="nofollow">www.bendigo.vic.gov.au</a> This year the application process for the Literature, Performing arts and Multi-media scholarships has been made simpler. For more information phone Rohan Phillips on 5434 6464 or email raw@bendigo.vic.gov.au From my own perspective I really enjoy seeing the work these artists are creating. I just wish there was a similar award for people who while not young in age are young in their endeavours to be artists later in life (yes I fit into this category!)

2010-02-03T01:05:50Z

2010-02-03T01:05:50Z

The City of Greater Bendigo, is calling on young creative artists to enter the 2010 Raw Art Awards.

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How did you go writing a letter to an old friend or writing a piece in the third person from last week? It doesn’t matter that the pieces are not perfect; they get your mind working and fingers typing! If you would like me to give some feedback on some short pieces, pop them up on the forum. <a href="/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1" title="Crafting memory forum">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1</a> Autobiographical reading – are you still looking for various autobiographies, because in order to write well in a genre you do need to read that genre too. Share what you are reading with other our patch readers/writers on the forum. Week Five. Structure and/or theme. © 2010 Sharon Greenaway. Over the last few weeks, we have been concerned about writing about our lives, about accumulating information about our lives and getting it onto paper. Have you thought about the structure or theme your life has followed? All of our lives have followed some structure or theme and our lives have been influenced by many things. Whether it is simply, the structure of life, as in birth, school, work, marriage, children, grandchildren etc. Others’ lives have been greatly influenced by what has been going on in the world, for example the depression years, World War II, the sixties, seventies, pre and post September 11th and so on. You may want to write your life following grouping of years; that is within the following years: a. Up to age five b. Between age five and 11 c. Between 12 and 17 d. Between 18 and 25 e. Between 26 and 40 f. Between 41 and 60 g. 61 and up Or you may feel your life has been greatly influenced by your spiritual journey. Or you may believe your life has been greatly influenced by what was happening to your family rather than an actual designated age. What about structuring your story around a central theme such as how politics shaped your life; or how you have moved a lot because your parents were in the Navy and maybe you could not settle down because of that. You might see your life seems to have followed a theme such as new beginnings; or you may be adopted and seem to have been searching for your true identity. More Exercises! Number one. Close your eyes. I would like you to think of a season: Spring/summer/Autumn/winter. What feelings do you have when thinking of the season? What memories to you have when thinking of the season? Does any particular person come to mind when thinking about that season? Open your eyes. Write what you thought about. Share the writing if you like on the forum. Exercise number two. Try to remember something from when you were between the ages of 5 to 10. Is there something that stands out for you in the way of world events when you were that age? For me I vividly remember watching the landing on the moon. I remember running up the road to watch it on telly at a neighbour’s house. Exercise number three. You can do one of two things here: If there was something that really stood out for you during the previous exercise, feel free to expand upon it. How did that event shape the following years of your life. Otherwise try to remember something significant between the ages of 11 and 20. Share the writing. Homework. Reading an autobiography. You can continue along the lines of exercise three for the years 21 to 30, 31 to 40 and so on. Until next week. Good writing! Weeks 1 – 4 can be found at the following links: Week 1 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one" title="week 1">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one</a> Week 2 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2" title="Week 2">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2</a> Week 3. <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2109-writing-your-life-course-week-3" title="week 3">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2109-writing-your-life-course-week-3</a> Week 4. <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2120-writing-your-life-week-4" title="Week 4">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2120-writing-your-life-week-4</a>

2010-02-03T00:21:22Z

Week 5. Crafting Memories.

2010-02-03T00:21:22Z

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‘Beyond Reasonable Drought’ The Many Australian Photographers Group (MAP Group) has recently released its first book, Beyond Reasonable Drought. (216 pages, The Five Mile Press, late 2009. ISBN 978 1 74211 096 7 Hbk. RRP $39.95.) Beyond Reasonable Drought depicts the effects of drought and global warming across Australia, as captured by a dedicated and passionate team of 38 photographers who, over several years and at their own expense, made innumerable road trips around the country to complete this ambitious and thought-provoking project. This exquisitely poignant book records the spirit of everyday Australians as they confront the never ending drought of the last few years. The images reflect people showing resilience, ingenuity, despair and hope. As well, the extraordinary beauty of the landscape is captured in stunningly original ways, including many images from the air. An example can be found on page 25 of a photograph by Leo Farrell taken in 2005 that at first glance could be mistaken for a skeletonised leaf, but on further investigation one realises it is dry river streams in Queensland. The foreword by award-winning writer Don Watson will speak to many Australians as he states that ‘We are wired for drought…’ Further essays by Martin Flanagan (‘I am glad that this book has grins in it…’) Timothy Lee and Dr David Jones will give added meaning to the imagery. These images were first exhibited at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra, during the Vivid National Photographic Festival in July 2008. This exhibition attracted 60,000 visitors. Now, in conjunction with the book’s release, the museum has decided to reprise the exhibition from November 2009 until 14 February 2010. The exhibition, Beyond Reasonable Drought is on tour for the next 7 years, and can be viewed at <a href="http://www.moadoph.gov.au/brd" title="MAP images" rel="nofollow">www.moadoph.gov.au/brd</a> The MAP Group has nominated Australian Women in Agriculture to receive 50% of the profits from book sales to help fund drought relief projects around the country. Beyond Reasonable Drought is available through all good bookshops and can be purchased direct from MAP Group, via the website at <a href="http://www.mapgroup.org.au" title="map website" rel="nofollow">www.mapgroup.org.au</a> or by proceeding to http://map.noelb.com/brdbook/bookpage.html Copies can also be purchased direct from NEW North Gallery, 15a Railway Place, Fairfield, Victoria 3078 (opposite the railway station). For more information about this dedicated group of photographers, go to: www.mapgroup.org.au or email: info@mapgroup.org.au

2010-02-01T04:42:24Z

Beyond Reasonable Drought

2010-02-01T04:42:24Z

If there is one book to buy this year, it is this one from the Many Australian Photographers’ Group. An exquisite representation of Australians coping with this climate of ours.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY HISTORIC PHOTOS OF IRONBARK, LONG GULLY AND WEST BENDIGO? The City of Greater Bendigo is looking for help from residents who may have old photographs, drawings, paintings, documents or maps of streetscapes, buildings, homes or landmarks in the Ironbark, Long Gully and West Bendigo areas. City of Greater Bendigo Director of Planning & Development Prue Mansfield said the City is currently in the process of undertaking a detailed heritage study of these historic parts of the municipality and how they have changed over the years. “Ironbark, Long Gully and West Bendigo features some fantastic heritage homes and properties. “We would love interested residents to take some time to look through their old photos and see if they have any images of streetscapes, homes or landmarks that perhaps we could use. “We are really keen to include never before seen images and information in the study and we would be absolutely delighted if residents who think they might have something that we could use would come forward,” said Ms Mansfield. She said anyone who would like to assist can contact either Paige Byrne or Amanda Jean on 5434 6355 by February 5, 2010. “We would welcome the opportunity to copy the information and return the original documents back to the owners,” said Ms Mansfield.

2010-02-01T00:16:13Z

Old Photos Needed ASAP!

2010-02-01T00:16:13Z

A call has gone out from the Bendigo Council for any old photos of the suburbs of IRONBARK, LONG GULLY AND WEST BENDIGO. Can you help?

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Writing your life, online course. © 2010 Sharon Greenaway. Crafting memories into words. Week 4, Topic. Finding your own voice. For those of you interviewed people during the week, don’t forget this is your story, so when you recount the stories you have found out, make sure the writing is still in keeping with your own words and style, not that of your great Aunt Mabel’s, except of course when you quote them (with their permission). How did you get on with the exercise I set last week? Or what about sharing what you and your loved ones did yesterday for Australia Day while it is fresh in your mind? This might be the catalyst that will get you started writing your life story! Share on the forum <a href="/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1" title="Crafting memory forum">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1</a> what you did with your homework during the week. Topic. Finding your own voice. Below are some tips on developing your own writing style so that readers will hear your voice through the written word. Try to write as if you are talking to an old friend or relative. You may like to write down some thoughts and then read it out to a voice recorder. Listen to what you have said and perhaps more importantly how you said it; is it how you would normally talk? If there is a part of your life that is too painful to write in the first person (I walked into the room) then perhaps writing in the third person (Sharon walked into the room) is an alternative. To change perspective in a piece of writing, to do it successfully, I would suggest you only did it at each chapter. If your work chops and changes too much the reader could get confused. As well as Prose (straight out writing your story) why not try some poetry, or diary / journals /blogs, or write a letter to someone. All of these ways of writing can be used when wanting to put together a scrapbook, a card to someone you care about or the story of your life. Use telling detail: that is: when describing things, be careful with adjectives (describing words.) Use the Active voice. The active voice would say, “The cow jumped over the fence” while a less active voice would say, “The fence was jumped over by a cow”. Use telling detail: When describing things, be careful with adjectives (describing words.) For example, instead of saying that a cake was lovely; you could say that the cake was worthy of winning first prize at the agricultural show as it had a lovely light texture and was as sweet as honey. You would not of course, want to describe everything in such fine detail, as it would bog your writing down. But of course, if you are writing about your mother, and she was famous for her sponge cakes then more detail on how those cakes stood out from the crowd would be appropriate. Perhaps there was a ritual when you helped her you took it in turns to lick the bowl with your siblings. Think about how you felt at those times. What to include? Anything that personifies who and what you are. It is what makes your life, your story unique to you. Detail, making your story come to life and be truly yours. Think beyond verse and prose, what about recipes, sewing patterns, woodworking patterns and of course photos et al. Think about what other things can you photocopy and put in? When trying to decide what to put in your life story, be a little selective, otherwise it could be boring. Have you ever sat through a video or slideshow of someone else’s holiday? Or of their children, that while is fascinating can be tedious when the child is just sitting there doing nothing!!!! Show don’t tell. This technique, while the very essence of good fiction should not be used for everything in your life, otherwise every little thing would be given too much importance. Example: “As the milk cart turned the corner, I could hear the steady clip clop clip clop of the horse long before I saw it. Every day, I would peek through the curtains out into the soft grey of early morning.” Unless this is to lead into something that happened on that particular morning, it could be rewritten. “I can remember the clip clop sound of the horse and cart when the milkman delivered the milk.” Exercise 1. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Think back over your life over the last couple of weeks. Try to remember anything significant over that time. It may have happened to you or to someone else or if you can think of nothing that may be of interest to write about try a world event. When you have thought of something, open your eyes and write a letter to an old friend or a relative telling them all about it. Try to include as much detail as possible, try to bring something to life, using your own words. Include conversations, if appropriate. If you are happy with your letter, share it on the forum. Exercise 2. Now this exercise you may find a challenge. Think back to a significant memory, either from your childhood, teenage hood, or adulthood, any time where there were other people involved. Instead of writing it from your perspective, as in the first person, write it in the THIRD PERSON. Exercise 3. Think of someone in your life who means a lot to you. Describe that person using action and conversation, rather than just straight adjectives (description). Show that person’s personality and/or how they look. Whether they are or they were kind or angry or happy or jovial whether they were fat or thin, Etc. I look forward to reading your work on the forum. http://www.ourpatch.com.au/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1 Until next week, enjoy your trip/s down memory lane. Weeks 1 -3 can be found at the following links: Week 1 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one" title="week 1">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one</a> Week 2 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2" title="week 2">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2</a> Week 3. Sources (research and interviewing.) <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2109-writing-your-life-course-week-3" title="week 3">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2109-writing-your-life-course-week-3</a>

2010-01-26T23:08:50Z

Writing your life, Week 4.

2010-01-26T23:08:50Z

How did you get on with the exercises I set last week? Or what about sharing what you and your loved ones did yesterday for Australia Day while it is fresh in your mind? This might be the catalyst that will get you started writing your life story!

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Celebrations at the lake started early morning, including brass bands, rock n roll, bagpipes, rock bands and entertainers; lots of stall holders sellling craft work, home made soap, Bendigo Woodturners, and so on. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31038835@N03/4306094852/" title="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" rel="nofollow"><img class="pc_img" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4306094852_7d7f2f3c48_m.jpg" height="240" alt="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" width="161" /></a> Melissa Garner, Shelley Tuohey and Bronte O’Brien-Smith are proud to be Australian, especially today in their Aussie colours! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31038835@N03/4305357151/" title="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" rel="nofollow"><img class="pc_img" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4305357151_4113476f7f_m.jpg" height="240" alt="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" width="192" /></a> Steve Hancock and his kelpie – blue heeler X, Cindy, were at the celebration to help promote the Central Victorian Restoration Group. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31038835@N03/4305354931/" title="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" rel="nofollow"><img class="pc_img" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4305354931_461ca692a4_m.jpg" height="161" alt="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" width="240" /></a> What a dinki di Aussie, a holden, on display by the Bendigo Sandhurst Holden Club, P.O. BOX 152, BENDIGO, 3552, Models from FX – WBHoldens, est. 2005. inc A0047808M <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31038835@N03/4306095990/" title="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" rel="nofollow"><img class="pc_img" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4306095990_de3f19b54e_m.jpg" height="240" alt="Australia Day at Lake Weeroona Bendigo" width="161" /></a>  Mark J. Power was happy to show around his 1940’s hand built caravan which he still takes camping, ‘it travels well, especially with modern vehicles of today’ he said. He is a member of the Bendigo Caravan CLub.

2010-01-26T06:55:57Z

Australia Day Celebrations in Bendigo

2010-02-03T06:55:37Z

Celebrations were held from Strathfieldsaye to Maiden Gully and everywhere in between today to celebrate our National Day. The mood was jovial at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo where hundreds (or more) people came out to celebrate this great Nation of ours. Enjoy the pics!

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CITY TO HOLD SPECIAL SERVICE EVENT Mayor of Greater Bendigo Cr Rod Campbell said it was hard to believe that it has been almost 12 months since the Greater Bendigo community faced its most devastating natural disaster. “The weekend of February 7, 2009 is etched in our memory as a day of disaster. It was an event that affected everyone who lives in Greater Bendigo, but it was also an event that has highlighted the enormous spirit that is present in our community. “It’s now time to come together to reflect on what occurred 12 months ago and how as a community we have banded together in an effort to move forward since that time,” said Cr Campbell. The service will be hosted by Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Rod Campbell and the Reverend Tracey Worsley and will include a one minute silence to remember those who lost their lives and all of the communities that were affected. The event will also include performances by The Gorgeous Voices Choir, John Lingard, Pot n Kettle and Urban Creatures. In addition local artist Seung Hi Lee will lead a Lotus Wish Lantern workshop. Families are invited to make a lantern together with care and thoughtfulness to mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic Victorian Bushfires. People who make a lantern will be encouraged to place them in the garden and light them at night time. The lantern comes with a wish paper on which participants can write a special message. Those planning on attending the event are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and use the event as an opportunity for reflection. The event will conclude at 3pm. The Community Day is funded by the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and supported by the City of Greater Bendigo.

2010-01-24T23:57:57Z

Service commemorating Feb. 7th

2010-01-24T23:57:57Z

With the 12 month anniversary of the Black Saturday Fires only next month, Bendigo and district residents are invited to attend a special service to remember the 2009 Victorian Bushfires from 11am on February 7, 2010 in Rosalind Park.

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Jim Evans is a man dedicated to history, especially that of Bendigo. His passion for the Bendigo Historical Society is evident in the many functions he attends throughout Bendigo on behalf of the society in his role as president. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31038835@N03/4292254974/" title="Jim Evans " rel="nofollow"><img class="pc_img" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4292254974_4fcdc06708_m.jpg" height="240" alt="Jim Evans " width="167" /></a> Jim’s energy level and enthusiasm would tire many people much younger than a man who will be 74 this April. His other passion, that of performing in the local theatre scene, means that his face is a familiar one to many residents of the city. Our patch readers may remember his face from the brassed off in Bendigo article from last year. http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/1823-brassed-off-in-bendigo For this interview I was welcomed by Jim outside the gates of the current address of the society; the old (and somewhat eerie) Bendigo Gaol. Jim led me inside to the society’s small, modern looking office. Born in Melbourne, Jim lived in many places throughout Victoria following his teacher father around the state. He later became a teacher himself and his first teaching appointment was in 1958 at Shepparton Technical school. From there he travelled to schools in the suburbs of Melbourne, (‘It was at Maribyrnong,’ Jim chuckles, ‘that I taught Michael Leunig, you might have heard of?’ ) and then to country places such as Kyabram, Kerang and Point Lonsdale teaching his main love of history, as well as health and human relations, and the performing arts. Jim’s interest in history and archaeology goes back to when he was a child. ‘I’ve always been interested in history…’ explains Jim. ‘As a kid back in Kyabram I heard the story of the German archaeologist Schliemann…[about the lost city of Troy]…he believed he would find this ancient city. Now Kyabram was very flat but there was a mound at the back of our place and I thought there must be some treasure in that, so I dug into it. And I did find some treasure; there was a whole lot of crockery buried in it. On the back of the crockery was the label ‘Made in Japan.’ It had been buried [because of the war] but we weren’t too proud, we washed it and used it.’ In 1975 Jim came to Bendigo to teach at Golden Square High School, then went to Point Lonsdale but returned to Bendigo to retire. But for Jim retirement didn’t mean slowing down. ‘I was always interested in history obviously…and interested in performing, when I think back to as a kid I was always interested in performing, showing off it is, I suppose, what it is, you want people to appreciate what you are doing…So when I retired I got a job as a tour guide at the Central Deborah Gold Mine and I produced a play called ‘Deborah’, which was a sort of tourist thing and then I wrote something for the [tourist] tramways…I enjoyed that, doing (sic) seven years as a tour guide doing various little acts there to try and keep tourists interested in what was happening. There was bloke, Stan Cooke…we did a thing where we would go down with the old hard hats from the 1950’s and interrupt the tours. ‘I didn’t join the historical society until the year 2000 and became President in August 2002 and am still there,’ Jim laughs, ‘No one else wants to do it! And acting? ’I took to the theatre reasonably late I suppose,’ said Jim, ‘…I was in a one act play in 1979 with a Castlemaine drama group and then later with Castlemaine Musical theatre and then with Bendigo Operatic, now Bendigo Theatre Company, I did quite a few shows with them.’ Jim has continued to combine his love of performing with his love of history including the role of Sir John Quick in the ‘Making a Nation’ display at the Bendigo Tourist Information Centre below the Old Post Office as well as the annual acting out of the Red Ribbon Rebellion. What is the Bendigo Historical Society’s aims? ‘The most important is to promote history, especially the history of Bendigo which we have been reasonably successful through some of the things I have mentioned as well publications such as ‘Historic Guide to Bendigo’ and ‘Self guided tours of Bendigo.’ The society conducts walking tours of Bendigo and tours of the historic Shamrock hotel. As well there are excursions organised by the society, such as the recent one which followed the Coliban Water Scheme from Malmsbury up to Crusoe Reservoir in Bendigo. Membership of the society is around 160, which has increased from about 40 when Jim first became president in 2002. There are a number of schools in the area that are also members. What are Jim’s hopes for the future of Bendigo? ‘Well I think it is a great place. Obviously the history of it is of great appeal to me… [the books written about Bendigo and historic buildings] it is important to preserve all these. I like a lot of the things that are happening. I like the idea of encouraging walking and improved bike paths; I like the idea of slowing down. I hope it doesn’t spread out like Melbourne. ‘I like Bendigo like it was in the gold rush –a multi cultural society, I certainly agree with that idea. ..Bendigo is certainly multi cultural but it doesn’t have that many people from other cultures, it is still very Anglo Celtic at the moment.’ What’s the best thing about Bendigo? ‘I think it is the size of it, and it has a really strong cultural base…the Art gallery is terrific, it’s been around for a long while, hopefully these things will be maintained… We’ve been able to attract international artists. I think it is good we have a strong cultural element to our life.’ Bendigo Historical Society holds its meetings on the first Friday of every month except for January, at the RL Campbell Theatrette, which is next to the library in Hargreaves Street. Contact Details: Phone: 5442 1005 mobile 0437 199 432 Email (research) info@bendigohistory.com Email (general enquiries) admin@bendigohistory.com Website: www.bendigohistory.com

2010-01-21T03:19:16Z

Jim Evans historian

2010-02-03T06:31:29Z

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Writing your life, online course. © 2010 Sharon Greenaway. Crafting memories into words. For those of you who are just getting back to a normal life after holiday mode, you may have missed weeks 1 and 2 of this online writing course. The idea of the course is to get you motivated enough to started writing about your life, whether it be simply for your kids or with an aim of getting it published to a much larger audience. Go to the following links for weeks 1 and 2. Week 1 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one" title="WEEk 1">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2079-writing-your-life-story-week-one</a> Week 2 <a href="/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2" title="Week 2">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/bendigo/users/stlg48/blogs/2094-writing-your-life-course-week-2</a> Week 3. Sources (research and interviewing.) How did you get on with the writing exercises from last week? Did you start to read a good autobiography? Share your thoughts in the forum. <a href="/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1 " title="forum">http://www.ourpatch.com.au/australia/forums/australian-literature/topics/714-crafting-memories?page=1 </a> Topic for this week. Sources: research and interviewing. When I mention research, you might think that all you need to do when writing your life story is to sit down and recall your own memories. However, not many of us have a photographic memory, and even those who do have will only remember things according to their perspective. It is useful to do some research for your story in order to add depth to your story. In Ruth Park’s autobiography, “A Fence Around the Cuckoo,” on P10, bottom of page, chapter four, there is a good example of research, enhancing autobiography; not only does it give the autobiography the right year, it also gives the reader some history of the land or country or place. Interviewing people. One way of researching is to interview friends and relatives. • Let them know why you are doing this and choose a comfortable setting for them. • Perhaps you can give them a list of questions to answer a couple of weeks before the interview, so that they know what you are after. • Ask them to bring along some photos or other memorabilia that they think may be helpful. When I do my interviews for my magazine work I always take along my voice recorder; this allows me to have a good conversation with the interviewee. Most people don’t mind the recorder and I feel it is far less intrusive than stopping to have to take notes all the time. Take a camera so that you may get a photo of your great aunt/uncle etc, in case there is nothing in your own records. Do make sure the person you are going to interview knows you hope to get a photo so they will feel they will be looking their best. If they don’t want you to take their photo, DO respect that. Exercise one. 1. For the next few minutes. I would like you to write down a list of questions you might ask a relative about your past. 2. Once this is done. I would like you to write a list of questions you might ask an old friend about the memories of what you did together in years gone by. 3. Set up a mock interview using some of these questions in a role playing exercise with a friend or family member. Research. Checking out newspapers and magazines may give you valuable information about a time and place that you want to write about. • When going through all this, look at photos which may serve to jog your memory. • Ask at your local library for assistance. Ask at the local T.A.F.E. or university libraries. The Internet will be a good source too. • Books, both fiction and non-fiction might trigger some memories that you can then check the facts about. • Historical and genealogical societies may help too, as well as adoption agencies. Exercise 2. Close your eyes again. Imagine you are looking at your birth certificate. Step 1 • Is the certificate printed on old paper? • Whose names are on it? • Where was the certificate issued? Open your eyes and write this down. Step 2. • Think a bit further now: what happened before the certificate was issued? i.e. Before you were born what was your history? Step 3. • Who had your birth certificate before you got hold of it? • Is the certificate a part of your imagination or do you really have it at home? • If you do not have it, why don’t you? • If you do have it, why have you got this document? Where did it come from? Who else may have used it, such as your mother or father? Open your eyes. Write down your thoughts. Share your writing in the forum, even if it is just a line or two. Homework. (Choose one or choose all three to do.) 1. Find another document about yourself such as marriage certificate, divorce papers, infant health book, and social security card, even a tax statement. Why have you got this document? Where did it come from? Who else may have used it, such as your mother or father? After looking at it and thinking about it for a couple of minutes, write down your thoughts. Spend about ten minutes. 2. Get out the family holiday photos. Choose one photo. What were you doing when photo was taken? Who were you with? Can you remember any sounds or conversations, smells and so on? 3. Interview a friend or relative using the information given today. These exercises should give you lots to get your teeth into. Share some in the forum. I look forward to your contributions in the forum. Until next week! Sharon

2010-01-20T00:06:01Z

Writing your life course, Week 3.

2010-01-20T00:10:31Z

For those of you who are just getting back to a normal life after holiday mode, you may have missed weeks 1 and 2 of this online writing course. The idea of the course is to get you motivated enough to started writing about your life, whether it be simply for your kids or with an aim of getting it published to a much larger audience.

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The current exhibitions at 121 View Street, Bendigo are a credit to the curating staff of La Trobe University, which runs the gallery. Each exhibition, situated in its own room and juxtaposed to each other in content and style, is intricately made and beautiful in presentation and message. Perhaps the most pertinent exhibition for both people living in bushfire prone areas in Australia as well as those whose heart reached out last year to the victims of the devastating bushfires on Black Saturday, is ‘Clandestine’ an ashscape installation responding to the loss and trauma experienced from these fires. ‘Clandestine’ is a collaborative effort between Alexander Fettling and his father, Mildura based artist Neil Fettling. Over the days after the fires, father and son, wearing protective suits they had borrowed from the local Bendigo municipal offices, searched through the ruins of Alexander’s home at 60 Sparrowhawk Road, Bendigo, and collected over 200 relics from the property. ‘Clandestine,’ was initially installed at Stefano’s Gallery 25, Mildura in July, 2009 with the intention of taking the show into specific communities directly affected by the Black Saturday Bushfires. The installation comprises more than 200 salvaged, burnt objects blackened, charred and disfigured objects and is synonymous with any domestic family dwelling, ranging from the utilitarian to the deeply personal. The care with which these objects were displayed upon shelves all around the exhibition space, with a layer of ash spread around the perimeter, showed that a great deal of thought and love had gone into how the viewer would be permitted to see these incredible personal objects. Each viewer will react differently to each object: a small tray of marbles, pitted from the intense heat of the fires; a full set of cutlery resting in the ashes; a metal box holding keys and charred coins and small delicate ceramic petals; a bandsaw looking almost as if it could be used now; a seemingly unscathed ceramic teapot, a 12 inch high ceramic – all resonating with memory. Gut wrenchingly poignant was an ashen grey metallic-looking object placed in a clear acrylic display case. Upon looking closely it is revealed to being a melted book with the words ‘good housekeeping, the Complete book of Preserving’ (such irony). Above this object are the words of Jean Baudrillard (1997) ‘these objects are the trace left behind by the disappearance of everything else’. The smaller exhibition in the room toward the back of the gallery is ‘Recent works on Paper’ by David Frazer. Centred around Frazer’s book “Lost”, the pieces tell a story that at first glance can be seen to be a lighthearted story about the adventures of a dog: a dog meets other dogs, or is by itself or it is joining in the chase of a human and so on. Upon a closer look, such as in ‘Lost Dog 2009’, where the dog is sitting up a tree and appears to looking forlornly toward a town, one gets the feeling that there is a lot more going on in this delightfully intricate printed piece. When one visits Frazer’s website his statement that the pieces entail ‘alienation, escape, failure and redemption through the character of a dog…’ underlies this belief. [i]http://www.dfrazer.com/artbook.html No matter how you choose to view the monochrome wood engraving and etches, they are beautiful in their intricate design and well worth the time to see. La Trobe Visual Arts Centre, 121 View Street Exhibition dates: 6 January – 14 February 2010 Wednesday to Sunday: 10am – 5pm Exhibition supported by City of Greater Bendigo [i] http://www.dfrazer.com/artbook.html Accessed 15th January 2010.

2010-01-15T07:54:12Z

Ash Wednesday exhibition.

2010-01-15T08:00:31Z

The current exhibitions at 121 View Street, Bendigo are a credit to the curating staff of La Trobe University, which runs the gallery.

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