Dr Charles Perkins AO 2010 Memorial Oration

Dr Jeff McMullens introducing the speaker

Dr Kerry Arabena




On Thursday I went to the 2010 Dr Charles Perkins Memorial Oration at University of Sydney to hear Dr Kerry Arabena speak. Her topic was The National Congress of Australia's First Peoples which was set up in Australia last November and of which she is Co-Chair. This was a controversial topic even among Aboriginal members of the audience some of whom interjected during the speech. The Congress will form a voice for government on Aboriginal affairs as created by its members. It will not be a political party. It will not have a social welfare role. It is going to be a lobby group for which the issues are raised and spoken about by its members who can only be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.


I met several interesting people during the less formal part of the event, artists, festival organisers, academics and actors. This continues to be an important event each year that also sees the awarding of prizes to three outstanding Aboriginal students. The Perkins family atttend each year and take part in the awards ceremony.

Books to Love

Jennifer Byrne at Stanton Library presenting Books To Love

said

"I have no regrets, I would do it all again. I would run down every lilac grove, I haven't minded failing, I wouldn't have settled for less."

I'm happiest when most away

I'm happiest when most away
I can bear my soul from it's home of clay,
On a windy night, when the moon is bright
And my eye can wander through worlds of light -

When I am not and none beside -
Nor earth, nor sea, nor cloudless sky -
But only spirit wandering wide
Through infinite immensity.



Emily Bronte
1838

Nick's 1K Assembly Performance

Today Nick and his class sang The Aussie Outback Party at the Yr 1-2 Assembly. It was a flawless performance and everyone enjoyed it. (Nick is in the front row second from our left) Mrs Sheenan shines.

Freddie Hill and his Jazz Quintet

Freddie Hill
Running Sheet

Fiona - Double Bass Player

Jazz Pianist

Freddie Hill composition

Lisa -our Birthday Girl

The front courtyard

Birthday flowers - traditional and Australian natives

Freddie Hill and his Jazz Quintet, some more photos from their gig at Pittwater October 2010. Simply great sounds and gorgeous original compositions. The jazz that you love as well as new and contemporary performances.

To find out where Freddie Hill will play next e-mail him freddiehill@dodo.com.au

Freshwater Beach

Alex
The waves were coming in irregular sets

It's still cold in the water but with a wetsuit and a board the sun is out and the absolutely best thing for Tom to do is get out there in the waves and surf. He does have salt water running in his veins and is happy to body board and swim while Alex and I sit and talk. The surf lifesaving patrols are running till 4.30pm in Spring. The sun was out and we had a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Stephen Coburn

Stephen Coburn in his studio at 1100A Middle Head Road, Mosman
One of his large stainless steel sculptures

Nick the fish

In my never ending quest to keep art in the kids and my life - this weekend we visited Stephen Coburn's studio which was having an open day. He works with found objects, poetry and larger stainless steel welded sculpture. He was lovely to meet and I enjoyed listening to him describe his work processes and the founding concepts of the natural world that he seeks to capture.

He can be contacted re his work by e-mail cobfac@idx.com.au

The Moscow Circus

Here are my two favourite acts from The Great Moscow Circus that is currently touring Australia, which we went to last Thursday at Rose Bay. This is The Globe of Death which eventually splits and has four motorcycles inside it revving round and round in spherical tracks, each rider missing the others by split seconds. Rivetting and amazing.

This act is called The Russian Swing and the guys are propelled through the air by the momentum created on a swing by the four acrobats - then - one at a time each guy on the front of the swing dives through the air into a slack curtain held up from the top of the tent by two roust a bouts and the guy slides to the floor unharmed. Incredible. The athleticism, gymnastics and risky timing had the audience by the balls.

Forty is the new black

Freddie Hill

Last May in Castlecrag

Tonight we are going to a jazz 40th birthday party for Lisa. We are travelling to the Pittwater at Church Point on the northern beaches. The jazz musicians will be Freddie Hill and his Jazz Quintet who came here last May. Jon has been roped into catering indian fried nibbles bahijs and pakora. He will be fine at doing this as he has the cooking gene inherited from his parents. Tom will miss out as he is in Mount Irvine on a scout camp. Nick and Alex are coming with us. If we get to Pittwater early enough we are promised a ride in the tinny over to their home. I have a large bunch of eclectic roses, honeysuckle, arum lillies, pincushion and grevillea to give Lisa in honour of her English past and adoption of Australia for her new world. See the above pic of Freddie Hill one of the best trumpeters you will ever hear and enjoy listening to for as long as you breathe.

You can book Freddie Hill at freddiehill@dodo.com.au

Football Fever

Tom in Australian rugby jersey ready for the international rugby league season.

Yum Cha in Chatswood

We love to go with guests to Yum Cha in Chatswood. Today it was Granpa Simpson's turn to go with us. We enjoyed the dumplings, duck, char sui and lots of chinese tea. Oh and the kids managed to eat two custard tarts each. After Yum Cha Grandad and boys saw Despicable Me at the movies. A fun animation with a few moral tales. I managed to go shopping for accessories - a cool set of beads and bangles, plus hoisery and socks at 30% off for three items. All in all a great Monday of the October long weekend. When we came home I was full of beans and in the spirit of working off lunch got into some gardening, weeding and planting of my new seedlings that had languished unplanted for the last six weeks. Photos will follow as they grow into position. Love T. xx

The Dragons win the NRL Grand Final 2010

Matt (L) and Jake (R)
Jake and Tom

Matt and Jake were over at our place. Friends of Tom's from High School who live just up the street. They were born in Tennessee USA and are more used to grid iron than rugby league. We explained some of the rules to them. It was 8-6 the Roosters at half time and both teams were pretty tired of low scoring football. After the break the Saints went on to a major victory finishing 32-8 breaking 31 years of not winning the Grand Final. Spectacular result for St George fans.

Skype phone call for Robin's 80th Birthday

Tom skyping into Jane and Paul's loungeroom

The amazing birthday cake made by Jill for Robin


Leah and Adam with family watching our home while we talk to theirs

Robin has had several Birthday moments over the last two weeks. This week on Saturday we hooked up a Skype phone call to Jane and Paul's home to share the moment, sing Happy Birthday and see the beautiful cake that Jill made for this occasion. They were then off to see a concert at the village church of a very high standard and spend some time over a lunch. Leah and Adam were very excited to talk with their cousins Alex, Tom and Nick. It was night time in Australia and we had stayed up for the call. Above are some of the photos that I took during the skype call. Stephen and Marsha also took part in this trans global event. The distance between us is great but we are still one family.

Market Saturday

Alex bought a rainbow licorice strap candy

I found apples at $1.49 a kilo and lemons 6 for $2, a parsley bunch for $1 and spring onions $1

Setting up the Paddington Marketplace at 8am Saturday

art & soul

Judy Watson presented her art and spoke about the processes she uses to create them including making her own oxides, mineral paints and ochres, blasting with water, dragging and rolling canvas. One of her works was based on her impressions of Venice when she attended a Biennale.

Minnie Pwerle at work at her studio

Emily Kame Kngwarreye (1910-1996) is represented by several works

Hettie Perkins, Art + Soul curator on the stage introducing the Aboriginal chef for his bush tucker demo

Waiting to hear Judy Watson talk infront of her art works


NSW Art Gallery is holding an Open Weekend till Monday Oct 4th to celebrate the start of Art & Soul the Aboriginal Art Showcase curated by Yirribana director Hettie Perkins. Over 60 events have been organised in support of this exhibit. So far I have taken Alex, Nick and Tom three times. If you are in Sydney get down there. If you have access to ABC 1 TV you can view the documentary made by Hettie on October 7th. It will be possible to watch this online through the www.abc.net.au/tv website as well by downloading the program. It will communicate this essential part of our Aboriginal cutural art world to a 21st century audience.

Bubble Ride at Fox Studios EQ

This is a great invention to get a 5 minute break from the kids. Your kid is sealed into the bubble and pushed out onto a mini moat to roll around and tumble. Tom said that the pressure inside the bubble made his ears feel different. However it is very safe and fun for kids. Coming to a fun fair near you - only for kids though.