Driving through country Victoria, I am frequently reminded why I should always have my camera ready and in prime working order! Just outside of Clunes are the most remarkable ruins. Well OK. By older civilization standards, we probably have no right to call them "ruins" as such.
But how old does a building wreck have to be before it's earned the title "ruin" and it being considered to be justifiable?
However, I digress.
Surrounding Clunes in country Victoria (Australia) are what remains of a by-gone era. The ruins are well known leftovers of the Victorian 1859s Gold rush and the mines created then later abandoned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clunes,_Victoria
I didn't have long to finish a piece of research I'd been working on when I was there; oral history isn't the easiest resource to collect at times! Not quickly at any rate. But I had organized this a long time before so had to act fast while memories were willing to be shared.
Clunes is a remarkable place! The people themselves are one of its most precious attributes. It's not a whole lot larger than it ever has been and tourism is not as great as it could be but they work hard to make the most of what they've got!
One of the local farmers also owns and operates the only motel in town. He rides in on his motor bike to check you in and make sure everything is as it should be. He'd only recently joined Wotif and was having a bit of a hard time getting used to checking his e-mails all the time. A couple and he had been playing "phone tag" trying to catch each other all day but they must have headed off somewhere else. I was asked to keep an eye out for them and direct them to where their key could be found; for which I was offered a free night's accomodation! Very hospitable! 0:)
Just down the road is "The Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles." It's in the old State School No. 136. The locals have done a great job of turning this into a museum detailing local history and well worth visiting as well as being the Information Center for local tourism and all-round "good guys" for helping lost tourists looking for their motel owner! 0:)
Only gas/petrol station in town pumps the Unleaded for you and if they aren't sure where you are supposed to be going, are willing to get out a map and work it out for you. Not really sure how/why somebody living in the town wasn't sure where the road was (the one running alongside the station) but I'm surmizing he had his mind on other things and it wasn't the middle-aged woman driving round looking for directions for a road printed on a twisted road sign so it was facing into the dirt! But he was kind enough to try to help and I did eventually work out which road was which! 0:)
It's a small town and many of the buildings retain many of their original architecture and features. i.e. ancient stamp machine. But make sure you get there in enough time to spend something at the eating establishments: It's one of their solid sources of income.
Why am I speaking about them in particular? Because of their remarkable ideas for bringing further tourism and attention to the area. It was one of the locations for Mel Gibson's "Mad Max" ("Road Warrior") first film as well as "Ned Kelly" among others. I can only imagine the actors hanging around the main street in the hours after filming; depends on whether they like watching sheep or not! Watch out locals: Nothing like bored actors to drive some to tears! *chuckle*
However, the good people of Clunes got their heads together and decided to re-create their town in the style of European Book towns and while I have never appeared there (only too happy to: author/storyteller more than happy to return to Clunes), I'm told the Book Fair is an experience to be desired by everybody involved.
http://www.booktown.clunes.org/
"Like" them on Facebook for up-dates!
Next year's event is promised for May 3 and 4, 2014. Not making any promises but I'm putting it in the diary just in case I'm able to get there this time!
Ellen 0:)
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Bay Area news crews and journalists working in danger.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57605166/san-francisco-bay-area-tv-news-crews-hit-by-series-of-brazen-robberies/
"...Bay Area television stations, including KPIX, regularly hire security guards for news crews in areas that pose a security risk, especially in light of the numerous recent incidents. The bulk of the previous incidents, however, have happened in Oakland, where journalists have been robbed and accosted, some in the middle of the day, reports the San Francisco Chronicle....Among the most brazen incidents, according to The Guardian, happened when "a KPIX crew was filming outside a school in Oakland at noon and were live on air when five men descended on them and grabbed the camera from their tripod."(Watch a recording of what viewers saw at left.)
The reporter was allegedly punched in the face before the robbers sped off in a Mercedes.
Last month a different TV news crew was "robbed at gunpoint of its camera equipment in West Oakland, with journalists made to prostrate themselves on the ground as the assailants fled."..."
I've lived and worked in Oakland CA as a journalist. I've also lived and worked elsewhere. One of those making comment at this article said:
"Oakland, reporters should go someplace safer like Afghanistan."
Really?
I have walked the streets of Oakland at night (going to and from a job) as a middle aged white female and felt safer than I do in my own hometown of Melbourne Australia. I've also taken a train at night (even midnight) in the area and felt safer than I have elsewhere: The sheer numbers of people around make a difference.
I wouldn't necessarily anybody do these things as an exercise, I had become known as a local not a visitor. But there are areas in every city one is sensible to avoid!
I don't believe it's Oakland who are the problem and mine is an informed opinion having got to know the city and its people over years. My perception is that it's the media who have a massive image problem.
Let me ask my readers a simple question. How do you regard the "media"? What is your opinion of "the media"?
Now let me ask you. What are the media (who represent "everyman" and "everywoman") required to be in your estimation?
Are they/we required to both cover and carry the world?
Ellen 0:?
Ellen F. Walker
"...Bay Area television stations, including KPIX, regularly hire security guards for news crews in areas that pose a security risk, especially in light of the numerous recent incidents. The bulk of the previous incidents, however, have happened in Oakland, where journalists have been robbed and accosted, some in the middle of the day, reports the San Francisco Chronicle....Among the most brazen incidents, according to The Guardian, happened when "a KPIX crew was filming outside a school in Oakland at noon and were live on air when five men descended on them and grabbed the camera from their tripod."(Watch a recording of what viewers saw at left.)
The reporter was allegedly punched in the face before the robbers sped off in a Mercedes.
Last month a different TV news crew was "robbed at gunpoint of its camera equipment in West Oakland, with journalists made to prostrate themselves on the ground as the assailants fled."..."
I've lived and worked in Oakland CA as a journalist. I've also lived and worked elsewhere. One of those making comment at this article said:
"Oakland, reporters should go someplace safer like Afghanistan."
Really?
I have walked the streets of Oakland at night (going to and from a job) as a middle aged white female and felt safer than I do in my own hometown of Melbourne Australia. I've also taken a train at night (even midnight) in the area and felt safer than I have elsewhere: The sheer numbers of people around make a difference.
I wouldn't necessarily anybody do these things as an exercise, I had become known as a local not a visitor. But there are areas in every city one is sensible to avoid!
I don't believe it's Oakland who are the problem and mine is an informed opinion having got to know the city and its people over years. My perception is that it's the media who have a massive image problem.
Let me ask my readers a simple question. How do you regard the "media"? What is your opinion of "the media"?
Now let me ask you. What are the media (who represent "everyman" and "everywoman") required to be in your estimation?
Are they/we required to both cover and carry the world?
Ellen 0:?
Ellen F. Walker
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Those who went before and those who come after. 0:)
R.I.P. the great J.J.Cale. One of the (largely) unsung heroes of the guitar. 0:)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-28/grammy-award-winning-singer-songwriter-jj-cale-dies/4848306
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57595822/musician-jj-cale-dies-wrote-clapton-skynyrd-hits/
But on another note, I just came across an exhibition of an artist from the up-coming generations.
http://gallery34.com.au/seeking-grace-nick-apostolopolous-emerging-charcoal-artist-3rd-29th-july/
http://nickapostolopoulos.com/
"Seeking grace
In my series of charcoal drawings grouped under “Seeking grace”, I have endeavoured to capture the elegance and beauty of movement, form and proportion. Inspiration for my artwork is often drawn from found images, finding that it is enough to concentrate on the areas that light may fall, or where the most expression is evident.
I use charcoals of various densities, charcoal powders and occasionally even graphite powders, in order to create the various tones. I have found though that I do favour the softest charcoals available, as they produce the deepest blacks that I love so much. The naked whiteness of the paper feels as it has been carved out of the deep velvet like surface, creating an image of intense chiaroscuro. Rarely is any instrument used other than my finger to create each image. I manually rub the charcoal into the surface of the paper.
My obsession with producing drawings that envelop and sometimes even isolate the subject matter with the mysterious dark charcoal space create an effect that make the subjects appear to be emerging out of the darkness. Through my artistic experience, I have found that the best way to convey this impression is to limit my palette to just light and dark, drawing each subject on the largest scale possible, which adds a further dimension to the work."
Having just seen them "live", my only complaint is that there are not enough of them and most have red stickers on them; anybody wanting to make a purchase had better head out to Yea pronto or contact the artist direct.
While you in Yea, check out the Provender Bakery! Their products are works on art; must return and try out the Lasagne Pie some time! 0:)
http://murrindindiguide.com.au/the-provender-country-bakehouse/
5:30 to 5:30, closed on Christmas Day.
Ellen 0:)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-28/grammy-award-winning-singer-songwriter-jj-cale-dies/4848306
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57595822/musician-jj-cale-dies-wrote-clapton-skynyrd-hits/
But on another note, I just came across an exhibition of an artist from the up-coming generations.
http://gallery34.com.au/seeking-grace-nick-apostolopolous-emerging-charcoal-artist-3rd-29th-july/
http://nickapostolopoulos.com/
"Seeking grace
In my series of charcoal drawings grouped under “Seeking grace”, I have endeavoured to capture the elegance and beauty of movement, form and proportion. Inspiration for my artwork is often drawn from found images, finding that it is enough to concentrate on the areas that light may fall, or where the most expression is evident.
I use charcoals of various densities, charcoal powders and occasionally even graphite powders, in order to create the various tones. I have found though that I do favour the softest charcoals available, as they produce the deepest blacks that I love so much. The naked whiteness of the paper feels as it has been carved out of the deep velvet like surface, creating an image of intense chiaroscuro. Rarely is any instrument used other than my finger to create each image. I manually rub the charcoal into the surface of the paper.
My obsession with producing drawings that envelop and sometimes even isolate the subject matter with the mysterious dark charcoal space create an effect that make the subjects appear to be emerging out of the darkness. Through my artistic experience, I have found that the best way to convey this impression is to limit my palette to just light and dark, drawing each subject on the largest scale possible, which adds a further dimension to the work."
Having just seen them "live", my only complaint is that there are not enough of them and most have red stickers on them; anybody wanting to make a purchase had better head out to Yea pronto or contact the artist direct.
While you in Yea, check out the Provender Bakery! Their products are works on art; must return and try out the Lasagne Pie some time! 0:)
http://murrindindiguide.com.au/the-provender-country-bakehouse/
5:30 to 5:30, closed on Christmas Day.
Ellen 0:)
R.I.P. Max Middleton. 0:)
Had lunch today with my 86 year old father who was reminiscing about his landscape artist father and friends heading out to paint together, learning and experimenting as they chatted and worked.
There were many such groups in the area where they lived; some were created via their living in the area, others lived together in community groups, others shared common artistic influences while others found each other via groups such as the Victorian Artists Society.
i.e.
http://victorianartistssociety.com.au/
http://www.montsalvat.com.au/
http://www.heide.com.au/
Dad was reminiscing about watching them all trading ideas and encouraging each other. As a boy, he was able to listen in to the chat as the men worked on their artworks. They were friends spending time together, nothing formal or competitive. Among my grandfather's painter friends were artists such as Alf Coleman, Hod Kurban, Bert Fiven, Ernest Buckmaster and Max Middleton.
What inspired my father's memories was the sad passing of Max Middleton, one of my grandfather's early students who went on to far greater things!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-26/landscape-artist-max-middelton-farewelled-at-funeral/4846584
It's a sad thing but these days every artists group seems to struggle with competitiveness and we seem to have lost the camaraderie or friendship needed to encourage mutual development.
One of the times when the best has been lost over time! 0:(
Ellen 0:)
There were many such groups in the area where they lived; some were created via their living in the area, others lived together in community groups, others shared common artistic influences while others found each other via groups such as the Victorian Artists Society.
i.e.
http://victorianartistssociety.com.au/
http://www.montsalvat.com.au/
http://www.heide.com.au/
Dad was reminiscing about watching them all trading ideas and encouraging each other. As a boy, he was able to listen in to the chat as the men worked on their artworks. They were friends spending time together, nothing formal or competitive. Among my grandfather's painter friends were artists such as Alf Coleman, Hod Kurban, Bert Fiven, Ernest Buckmaster and Max Middleton.
What inspired my father's memories was the sad passing of Max Middleton, one of my grandfather's early students who went on to far greater things!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-26/landscape-artist-max-middelton-farewelled-at-funeral/4846584
It's a sad thing but these days every artists group seems to struggle with competitiveness and we seem to have lost the camaraderie or friendship needed to encourage mutual development.
One of the times when the best has been lost over time! 0:(
Ellen 0:)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Dee Dee Dunleavy and commenting on Nigella Lawson's life.
Sorry but I really do have to say something about this.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/furore-over-call-to-boycott-nigella-dee-dee-dunleavys-unfortunate-column/story-e6frfmq9-1226664885941
"Dunleavy has since tried to defend her initial blog, tweeting: "I did not call for a boycott on Nigella's books. That's absurd. My point is that she should file a complaint with police. Make a stand."
Obviously, Ms. Dunleavy has no experience in the area or she would not be calling for anything even remotely like this stance! I read one of her responses defending her comments where she spoke about a friend she saw going through spousal/partner abuse. Apparently that is the closest she has come to the reality of such a situation.
Allow me to put my sixpeneth worth in here. What did Ms. Dunleavy do when her friend went through the abusive situation? What effort did she put in personally to support and help in the specific circumstances she had some involvement in herself?
That's where Ms. Dunleavy's responsibility lies, not expecting others to fulfill what she should probably be doing herself! If Ms. Dunleavy feels strongly about domestic abuse as a cause she wants supported, it is up to her to stand and be counted among those working to deal with such matters!
Apart from anything else, there is shock and a grieving period when a woman has had to face that the excuses are no longer enough and she cannot tell herself the abuse doesn't matter any longer. This grief can take up to 2 1/2 years generally with the woman merely moving from second to second, numb and thinking no further than what she needs to do in the moment! For Ms. Dunleavy to expect anything of any woman in that situation indicates she has no idea what it's like.
So, I challenge Ms. Dunleavy to find out! There are women's shelters in Melbourne, mostly hidden away to guard the women from the partners/spouses trying to find them in order to continue their abuse or cover up their shame.
Maybe Ms. Dunleavy needs to spend time in those shelters talking to the women involved and find out what it's really like then maybe she will be able to figure out how to help those who survive from second to second and can barely visualize the next day, let alone envision any kind of a secure future.
And yes, I've worked with the YWCA and women's groups and shelters. I do know what it's like. It may take a good long time before Nigella can even remotely decide what she wants to do about other people's abuse, let alone her own. In the meantime, those who love her should be there for her and support her in her work so she can establish herself safely and securely; without having any pressures on her beyond taking care of herself and those she is responsible for.
Instead of boycotting her books and shows, now is the time to support her and buy them so she can create a new future for herself and those she loves, without having to endure abuse and harassment.
Love to Nigella! You go girl! 0:)
Ellen 0:)
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/furore-over-call-to-boycott-nigella-dee-dee-dunleavys-unfortunate-column/story-e6frfmq9-1226664885941
"Dunleavy has since tried to defend her initial blog, tweeting: "I did not call for a boycott on Nigella's books. That's absurd. My point is that she should file a complaint with police. Make a stand."
Obviously, Ms. Dunleavy has no experience in the area or she would not be calling for anything even remotely like this stance! I read one of her responses defending her comments where she spoke about a friend she saw going through spousal/partner abuse. Apparently that is the closest she has come to the reality of such a situation.
Allow me to put my sixpeneth worth in here. What did Ms. Dunleavy do when her friend went through the abusive situation? What effort did she put in personally to support and help in the specific circumstances she had some involvement in herself?
That's where Ms. Dunleavy's responsibility lies, not expecting others to fulfill what she should probably be doing herself! If Ms. Dunleavy feels strongly about domestic abuse as a cause she wants supported, it is up to her to stand and be counted among those working to deal with such matters!
Apart from anything else, there is shock and a grieving period when a woman has had to face that the excuses are no longer enough and she cannot tell herself the abuse doesn't matter any longer. This grief can take up to 2 1/2 years generally with the woman merely moving from second to second, numb and thinking no further than what she needs to do in the moment! For Ms. Dunleavy to expect anything of any woman in that situation indicates she has no idea what it's like.
So, I challenge Ms. Dunleavy to find out! There are women's shelters in Melbourne, mostly hidden away to guard the women from the partners/spouses trying to find them in order to continue their abuse or cover up their shame.
Maybe Ms. Dunleavy needs to spend time in those shelters talking to the women involved and find out what it's really like then maybe she will be able to figure out how to help those who survive from second to second and can barely visualize the next day, let alone envision any kind of a secure future.
And yes, I've worked with the YWCA and women's groups and shelters. I do know what it's like. It may take a good long time before Nigella can even remotely decide what she wants to do about other people's abuse, let alone her own. In the meantime, those who love her should be there for her and support her in her work so she can establish herself safely and securely; without having any pressures on her beyond taking care of herself and those she is responsible for.
Instead of boycotting her books and shows, now is the time to support her and buy them so she can create a new future for herself and those she loves, without having to endure abuse and harassment.
Love to Nigella! You go girl! 0:)
Ellen 0:)
Monday, June 10, 2013
Another request from the U.S.A.
From the exhibition I'm currently preparing, "Prayers From An Empty Room."
"IT'S RELATIVE"
by Ellen Walker (c) 2002
You can't breathe.
You're too afraid to take a breath.
They want to control when you breathe, where you breathe and how.
And when you do eventually take a breath, it's an attack on their very existence.
IF YOU STOP BREATHING YOU DIE!
That's alright by them.
As long as they keep breathing.
In their own way.
You're not allowed to breathe,
Unless you do it their way.
Their way is the only way.
Therefore, if you want to live at all, you have to breathe their way.
The only alternative is to...
...breathe different air.
"IT'S RELATIVE"
by Ellen Walker (c) 2002
You can't breathe.
You're too afraid to take a breath.
They want to control when you breathe, where you breathe and how.
And when you do eventually take a breath, it's an attack on their very existence.
IF YOU STOP BREATHING YOU DIE!
That's alright by them.
As long as they keep breathing.
In their own way.
You're not allowed to breathe,
Unless you do it their way.
Their way is the only way.
Therefore, if you want to live at all, you have to breathe their way.
The only alternative is to...
...breathe different air.
By request: Concrete poetry.
One of my pieces but not in its exhibition form. Exhibited in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996.
"DIS 2 IN": the meeting place
(c) Ellen F. Walker 1996
DIStantly,
a face hovers.
Head down,
hooded eyes,
keeping to itself.
INdiscernibly,
I scan for signs:
Memorized features,
Micro mannerisms.
Second-hand security.
DIStrustfully,
it's approach is viewed,
it's passing dreaded.
It lifts it's shades,
Sees, then hesitates too.
INdecision
dances in eyes
that meet...
then slide apart.
What now? we wonder.
DISguise
our beings?
Hide our souls,
protecting and cosseting
perceived futures or fears?
or INterlock
our lives:
Risking time,
effort, emotion:
INvesting in possibilities.
DISinterest/INterest?
DISsociate/INfiltrate?
DISintegrate/INtegrate?
DIStrust/INtrust?
DISpirit/INspire?
To be or not?
Coffee or tea?
One lump or two?
"DIS 2 IN": the meeting place
(c) Ellen F. Walker 1996
DIStantly,
a face hovers.
Head down,
hooded eyes,
keeping to itself.
INdiscernibly,
I scan for signs:
Memorized features,
Micro mannerisms.
Second-hand security.
DIStrustfully,
it's approach is viewed,
it's passing dreaded.
It lifts it's shades,
Sees, then hesitates too.
INdecision
dances in eyes
that meet...
then slide apart.
What now? we wonder.
DISguise
our beings?
Hide our souls,
protecting and cosseting
perceived futures or fears?
or INterlock
our lives:
Risking time,
effort, emotion:
INvesting in possibilities.
DISinterest/INterest?
DISsociate/INfiltrate?
DISintegrate/INtegrate?
DIStrust/INtrust?
DISpirit/INspire?
To be or not?
Coffee or tea?
One lump or two?
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