Happy Easter Broken Hill

Wishing everyone in Broken Hill, Melbourne and everywhere else in the world a very Happy Easter.

Cheers, Jane D

Chag Pesach Sameach - Happy Passover Holiday

Passover (Pesach) 2013 runs from Monday 25 March until Tuesday 2 April.  To all readers of the Jewish faith, whether they be in Broken Hill, Israel or anywhere else in the world, I wish you Chag Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover Holiday).

Cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill Gaara Arts 'Fans' exhibition opens tonight in a joint show

Art Scene
Gaara Arts (Gaara) members are putting on another exhibition which opens this evening at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery.  The "Common Threads, The Things That Bind Us Together" fans exhibition represents something a little different to traditional oil or acrylic on canvas.  It is instead, art applied to a variety of different shaped 'fans'.

"Press Release" information is as follows (supplied by Gaara's publicity officer and Gaara artist - Maureen Clark)

"Fanfare For Gaara

Newly elected President of Gaara Arts Inc, Robyn Taylor, is happy to announce her group’s latest artistic endeavours to be showcased at the Regional Art Gallery opening this Thursday at 6pm.

“The ladies in Gaara Arts have been working hard to paint, or otherwise decorate, a range of fans which are now on display at the Gallery”, she said. “The creativity and talent within the group is wonderful although some of the artists saw the concept as a bit daunting, at first. The results are great.”

Robyn is from a property near White Cliffs and divides her time between working in Broken Hill and her various art projects. “I’ve always been interested in art”, she explained. “Ever since I won an Easter art competition at primary school,” she laughed. “I’m interested in trying all forms of art. Leadlighting, intaglio, lino prints and coloured inks...I’ve dabbled in them all. Mainly though, I enjoy painting in a realistic style in acrylics –mostly landscapes. Although I may have to stretch my skills towards portraiture for another Gaara exhibition in the near future”.

Broadening the experiences and skills of women artists who live in our rural and remote community is an aim of Gaara which has been operating since 2008. The artists are encouraged to push the boundaries of their art and to respond to contemporary issues facing women in society.

Robyn says she enjoys the diverse range within the group, with artists working in fabric, sculptures, pen and ink, 3D and pastels, as well as the more common oils and acrylics.

“I’m honoured to be the president of Gaara, a talented group of ladies who support and learn from each other.”

The “Common Threads, The Things That Bind Us Together” exhibition will be opened by
Fay Attard."

Local paper the Barrier Daily Truth covered the story yesterday 27 March, see link here for more coverage.

The exhibition details are as follows - 

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery - 404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Opens 6.00 pm Thursday 28 March 2013
Note the gallery is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Exhibition dates - Saturday 30 April - Sunday 12 May 2013

Gallery hours - Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am - 4pm

Entry by gold coin donation.

I'm in Melbourne so unfortunately I can't make it.  As always, if you can get along to the opening tonight, or the exhibition at some stage, readers would love to hear your comments on what you thought of the exhibition.

Three other exhibitions are also officially opening tonight.  "Not the way home" will be opened by the exhibition's curator Owen Craven who is also the editor of "Artist Profile Magazine".  Acclaimed local artist Jim Paterson will present a selection of 44 drawings and paintings which he has completed in the last 10 years.  Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery's Installation Officer Darren Parker has also put together a show featuring watercolours from the Gallery's collection, which are rarely on show due to their tendency to fade.  Well known artists on show include Hans Heysen, Daryl Lindsay and Kenneth Jack.

Further exhibition details can be found here on the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery events page.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill Real Estate Agent Matthew Handberg wins awards

Matthew Handberg (left) and John Bent
source - CENTURY 21 website

Real Estate
Broken Hill real estate agent Matthew Handberg has been honoured by his colleagues at CENTURY 21 at the global real estate chain's recent Annual Gala 2012 Awards event held in Adelaide.

I have met Matthew a few times whilst in Broken Hill and I have found him to be very helpful and informative. He was kind enough to be interviewed and quoted for my 31 October 2012 Broken Hill Real Estate Report post, when he gave me the 'head's up' about the local Broken Hill real estate market.  I am not surprised to read about his awards in today's Barrier Daily Truth newspaper (page 12).

Matthew was awarded 'Top Regional Principal 2012' and 'Rookie of the Year 2012'.  He was inducted into CENTURY 21 Masters Club for high achievers and was also honoured with the prestigious Platinum Sales Award for the 4th Quarter of 2012.  His CENTURY 21 McLeods Broken Hill colleague John Bent was also honoured with a Gold Sales Award for the 4th Quarter 2012.  It sounds like the last few months in 2012 in Broken Hill must have seen quite a bit of residential sales activity.

I congratulate Matthew and John on their awards, well done.

Cheers, Jane D

St Patrick's Day races results 2013

Races / Community Event

Annette Morrison, trainer of the Outback Cup
winner Tresette, proudly holds the Golden Harp trophy
photo courtesy Barrier Daily Truth, Darrin Manuel

St Patrick's Day Races are over for another year. If you are interested in the race results, you can find them at www.racingnsw.com.au. Here is a direct link to the Broken Hill race results for 16 March 2013.

Port Lincoln trainer Annette Morrison trained the winning mount 'Tresette' a gelding foaled in September 2005.



There were 8 races. Race 6 being the main race, an Open Class 1600 metre race with a $47,550 first prize.

Results of the main race the 'Clubs NSW and Keno Outback Cup' are - 

1st      Tresette (6)  Trainer - Annette Morrison, Jockey - Murray Henderson
2nd     St. Ives (NZ) (7)  Trainer - Paula Trenwith, Jockey - Ms Eran Boyd (a)
3rd      Bertucci (s)  Trainer - Lloyd Kennewell, Jockey - Ryan Plumb
4th       Damages (4)  Trainer - Philip Cole, Jockey - Ben Hoppo
5th       Ebony Rock (1)  Trainer - John Hyam, Jockey - Joe Bowditch
6th       Generous Huka (NZ) (9)Trainer - Cindy Monaghan, Jockey - Justin Potter
7th       Teraset (11) Trainer - Allan Prisk, Jockey - Michael Hackett
8th       Pelekuna Valley (NZ) (4) Trainer - Ron Campbell, Jockey - Troy Baker
9th       Cruziero (8) Trainer - Kym Healy, Jockey - Tara O'Donnell (a)
10th     Scarbank (3) Trainer - Michael Wayman, Jockey - Wayne Kerford
Scr      Kingnadam (NZ) (5)  Trainer - Shane Oxlade, Jockey - R. Williams (a)

I couldn't make it this year, hopefully next year.

We would love to hear how you enjoyed the day if you went, or how you enjoyed the recovery day at Silverton on Sunday the actual St Patrick's Day.

If anyone had a go at 'Two Up' at The Palace Hotel on Saturday night, feel free to tell us what the atmosphere was like. Would you play again?

Cheers, Jane D

Robin Sellick photography talk 6pm Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

Entertainment
Robin Sellick, the highly acclaimed Broken Hill photographer, will tonight speak to guests at a public lecture on Celebrity Photography at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery (BHRAG).

PM Julia Gillard (2006) by Robin Sellick source
'Robin Sellick Photography' Facebook page

Robin will provide an insight into the stories behind the portraits he has taken of some of the most famous people in the world, which include PM Julia Gillard, former PM John Howard, Kylie Minogue, Lleyton Hewitt and Shane Warne. Both humorous and shocking tales have been promised!

The event was initially to be held at a smaller venue, but due to popularity, it had to be moved the BHRAG.

His talk is part of the St Patrick's races festivities, with the races being on this coming Saturday 16 March.  The event has been organised as a part of the accompanying Paddy's Fringe Festival, which is being held for the first time this year.

The fabulous photograph of PM Julia Gillard taken by Robin appears at the current exhibition (until 16 June 2013) at the National Portrait Gallery 'First Ladies: Significant Australian Women 1913 - 2013' which I saw on a recent visit to Canberra.

Here's a link to a recent related ABC Broken Hill article about Robin. Robin also has a 'Robin Sellick Photography' Facebook page.

Event Details:

Venue:     Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, 404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Date:     14 March 2013

Time:     6pm

Cost:     $25

Bookings essential:     0407 874 795

It sounds a fascinating topic. If you do go, please feel free to tell us all about the night in a comment.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

St Patrick's Races this Saturday - look at this horse!

One of the sculptures from the Living Desert Sculpture Symposium

I love this photo, taken at sunset at the Broken Hill Living Desert Sculpture Symposium. I thought it was topical given it's race week this week in Broken Hill - the famous St Patrick's races no less.

The sculpture is one of 12, created from sandstone in 1993 by Lawrence Beck and 12 sculptors.

The sculptures are located about 12 kilometres from Broken Hill and I think are an absolute must see when you visit the city.

Sunset and sunrise make great viewing times. Take a picnic and a camera.

Back to St Patrick's races, I wrote an article on 10 March with information and links to some of the events going on this week, see link to article here or scroll down a few posts.

Cheers, Jane D

Takeover Target to run exhibition race at 2013 St Patrick's Races

Takeover Target source
The Age

Community Event
Takeover Target the once top rated turf sprinter (when - 2006, where - the world), will be a special guest at the upcoming St Patrick's races this weekend, when she will run and exhibition race.

It will be a fantastic opportunity for racing enthusiasts to see a world class race horse up close in the wonderful intimate country race track environment on this coming Saturday.

The retired sprinter, known as Archie, will be brought to Broken Hill by Coffs Harbour trainer Joe Janiak, who will bring two other mounts - Bondit who will run in the "Outback Cup" and Wise and Wary who will run in the Class 3, 1200 metre race.

Joel Janiak with Takeover Target
source Sydney Morning Herald

Janiak bought Takeover Target (foaled in 1999) in 2003 for a reputed bargain. The horse went on to win 21 out of 41 races including a victory at Royal Ascot, where he won the Group 2 King's Stand Stakes.

In the 'Barrier Daily Truth' today, St Patrick's Chief Racing Steward Mr Trevor Odgers, said that the races have attracted trainers from 'everywhere, including Adelaide, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Port Augusta, Victoria, Cobar, Menindee, Silverton, Swan Hill and a number of locals'.

Things are really hotting up now as the excitement builds for the big day this coming Saturday.

Don't miss it (especially if you've never been before), it's a lot of fun.

Cheers, Jane D

St Patrick's Races - celebrations hotting up

Broken Hill St Patrick's Races - Community Event

It was the annual St Patrick's Fashion Show last Wednesday and now the lead up celebrations for the major Broken Hill event of the year St Patrick's races next Saturday 16 March are really in full swing. There is so much going on you could be busy socialising for the next 8 days straight (in fact until 24th March - see below)!

Paddy's Fringe Festival for starters - see their Facebook site for more information. The Festival runs from 10 - 24 March 2013. Their office is located at -

409 Argent Street, Broken Hill
Telephone 0407 874 745
Email info@middle-men.com.au

Visitor Information website, (www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au) also lists the many events for the week under featured event on the front page, plus more information on their Event Calendar page.

Me and friend Melissa
at St Pat's races 2012

You can book tickets for the race day online at the St Patrick's Race Club website, or visit their office at - 

399 Crystal Street, Broken Hill
(quite near Broken Hill train station, same side)
Telephone 08 8087 7550
Email stpatsbh@ceinternet.com.au
Website www.stpatricks.org.au

There are too many events to list here but check out the above websites for more information. I think there will be something for everyone.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill's Georgie Blore entertains with karaoke at Palace 9 March

George E Blore courtesy
Facebook profile photo

Entertainment

Georgie Blore, is singing karaoke tonight at The Palace Hotel. Sounds like a fun night out.  I know going to The Palace makes for a great night anyhow with their tasty meals and slightly retro, buzzy vibe.

The Palace Hotel is at 227 Argent Street, Corner Chloride Street.

The Palace Hotel

When Georgie isn't singing, she's organising social dining get togethers through a group she set up on Facebook A Guide to Dining Out in Broken Hill, Tour De Foodies events. Check it out. It's an open group designed as a monthly get together for a dining experience at three dining venues (restaurants/ cafes/ pubs/ clubs) on the one night and catching up with and meeting new people.

Next Tour De Foodies is on 20 March 2013, 2013, 6.30pm at Comfort Inn Hilltop (book via Facebook).

Get down to The Palace for a fun night out and support Georgie (whom I have not yet met).

If you miss that, or want to hear more, Georgie will also sing at Alma Hotel 212 Hebbard Street, Broken Hill on Sunday at 5.30pm.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

International Women's Day today Broken Hill, Melbourne & worldwide

In case you haven't heard it is International Women's Day (IWD) today, around the world (obviously). So it doesn't matter where you are today, be it Broken Hill, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Hobart, Broome, Dubai, Moscow, Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, Rome, Athens, San Francisco, Mumbai, Kiev, Harare ... anywhere , this is a worldwide unifying event that I hope many of you can enjoy and take part in.

Here is the link to the dedicated website - www.internationalwomensday.com .

Cheryl Cuy courtesy
BDT Gavin Schmidt

IWD (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday.  IWD was first officially celebrated in 1911.

There are many events on to celebrate this annual special day and there's still time to do something if you haven't already recognised the day today (yet).

I'm off to one of the many special IWD events in the city (Melbourne) tonight, Wisdom of the Ages.

Earlier today in Broken Hill, local business woman Cheryl Cuy spoke at the City's IWD breakfast celebration. See link to the ABC's website for more about what Cheryl had to say at this event.

Enjoy the day. Cheers, Jane D

Lincoln - Broken Hill charity film fundraiser premier

Entertainment

Film promotional poster

Oscar nominated film 'Lincoln' will premier in Broken Hill tomorrow, Sunday 3 March, in the same week the film won the Oscar for best 'Actor in a Leading Role' for Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in the title role.

It was the 85th year of the Oscars and 'Lincoln' also won the Oscar for best 'Production Design'.

The Oscar wins are perfect timing for added promotional punch for the fundraising event for the Anglican Ladies Committee.

Details are as follows -

Time:     2pm

Silver City Cinema

Place:    Silver City Cinema, 41 Oxide Street, Broken Hill (tel. 08 8087 4569)

Cost:     $13.50 including film (2.5 hours), nibbles and refreshments, and door prize raffle.

I've been to Broken Hill film fundraisers before and they're great fun, very social and always accompanied by an excellent movie and some yummy food.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D