Quick post about dates and famous Broken Hill names

Dates and famous Broken Hill names
Today's the 28th of the month and that means I'm going to post an article like I've done for the last 21 months. When I started this blog/website on 8 December 2011, I decided I would post at least on the 8th, 18th and 28th of each month, and apart from a glitch in November 2012 when I missed the 18th deadline by an hour or so and posted on the the 19th instead, I've kept the schedule up. I'm proud of the effort. There have been some topics I've thought I'd write about but other stories keep getting in the way.

June Bronhill image courtesy abc.net.au

A couple of stories I would like to cover in the next few months as I come up to the two year anniversary of www.ilovebrokenhill.com are about two famous Broken Hill figures who unfortunately are now deceased.

I've written a little about Kevin Charles 'Pro' Hart (1928-2006), but I'd like to write a longer article about this famous Broken Hill artist.

The other person I would like to write about is famous Australian Opera singer June Bronhill (1929-2005).

Pro Hart, image courtesy 'The Age'
www.theage.com.au photo by Edwina Pickles

There are other characters to write about, art exhibitions, horse races and shows still to come to fill the pages of this blog. As to whether I'll get the time to cover them all, I can't say.

There are in fact many Broken Hill identities I would like to write about, and as I started to list them, more names kept popping into my head, and so rather than exclude someone, I won't mention any more names for now.

As has often been the case, to keep my 'publication' schedule, I've ended up having a late night just to make my arbitrary deadlines. So for a change, and as it's getting late once again, I'll just mention that in the coming weeks and months I'll write these articles about Pro Hart and June Bronhill, so stay tuned.

Today's post is my 180th blog post, and my two year anniversary of 'loving Broken Hill' is in December. Soon it will be time to take stock and decide the future of www.ilovebrokenhill.com as other destinations are calling. It's not that I don't love Broken Hill any more, but maybe it might soon be time for another location to become my focus for a while.

Cheers, Jane D

Local bands 'Exhumed' by ABC Broken Hill at The Palace Hotel tonight

The Palace Hotel - 227 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Entertainment
Tonight's music 'festival' is just getting underway at The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill.

The best part about the event is it's FREE!

Several Broken Hill bands are performing including the Silver City Comets, Blue Ridge, Static Rock and Soulforge.  All were entries in ABC Local Radio's 'Exhumed' competition.

ABC Local Radio stations across Australia were involved in the 'Exhumed' competition, a band competition with a difference. It's not for wannabe's or has-beens, it for the never-weres. Bands who play music just for the sheer love of it.

'The Silver City Comets' courtesy ABC Broken Hill

The winner for the ABC Broken Hill region was local Broken Hill heavy metal band 'Soulforge' so congratulations to them. They now go on to the next phase of the competition where six bands are chosen by the public from across Australia for the people's choice award.

For more information about the winning bands from across Australia, and for how to vote, please see the following link to ABC Local Radio's 'Exhumed' link -
www.abc.net.au/tv/exhumed/bands/#

ABC Broken Hill news journalist and former rock n' roll writer Jack Marx is hosting this showcase event at The Palace Hotel. Jack will explore the 'back story' to how the local bands came about. It sounds like a fantastic night for music lovers, especially if you like great live bands. I've seen Blue Ridge and the Silver City Comets play before and they're great. I wish I could be there as it sounds like a really fun night.

Please follow the link here if you'd like to hear Jack Marx interview the Silver City Comets.

The Palace Hotel - 227 Argent Street, Broken Hill.

Time - From 8.30pm.

FREE EVENT!!

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Collected Works Wendy Moore - 17 August - 29 September 2013

A necklace by Wendy Moore
A piece from the exhibition, image supplied by artist.

Art Scene
A new art exhibition opened at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery (BHRAG) on Friday 16 August.

Wendy Moore - Collected Works Exhibition
The exhibition demonstrates the talents of local Broken Hill artist Wendy Moore, who specialises in polymer clay.

Exhibition details are as follows and can also be found on the BHRAG website exhibitions link here -

Dates - 17 August to 29 September 2013.

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

Gallery hours - Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm. Entry by gold coin donation.

An intricate scene by Wendy Moore
A piece from the exhibition, image supplied by artist

More news about Wendy Moore
The new (Broken Hill) 'For Real Magazine' and online publication produced an in depth article about Wendy, on 16 August. Here's the link to the article.

Wendy produced an interesting guest post for ABC Open on 30 May 2012, see link below -
https://open.abc.net.au/posts/birtamod-to-broken-hill-and-back-07zo1lp

Wendy also has her own website and blog see details below -
www.afterthemonsoon.com .

Cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill Red Cross film fundraiser 'Now You See Me' 11 August

Now You See Me Movie
promotional poster from wikipedia.org

Community Event
Red Cross extraordinary Premiere Fundraiser is on this Sunday 11 August 2013 at 2pm. 

The film is "Now You See Me" (rated M) and is a French/American movie which has been variously described as a  caper/thriller and comedy/action film. There's an international cast including Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Melanie Laurent and Mark Ruffalo.

Tickets are $13.50 and include nibbles and refreshments.

There will be a door prize raffle as well.

The venue is Broken Hill's 'Silver City Cinema', 41 Oxide Street, just off Argent Street.

The 'Silver City Cinema' has been the scene of many movie fundraisers. I've been to a couple over the years and they're a lot of fun, great value and always help a fantastic cause.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill fundraiser for Cancer Council at Art Confessions

Full Circle
by Tanya Reeves
image courtesy of artist

Art Scene
Community Event
Tonight Tanya Reeves of 'Art Confessions' art gallery is hosting an "Art, Wine and Cheese" fundraising event for the Cancer Council. Entry is by gold coin donation and there will be door prizes.

There was an article on the front page of the Barrier Daily Truth today about the special event.

Tanya is keen to hold charity fund raisers as she enjoys giving back to the community and has already held another fundraiser for 'Beyond Blue' for Mother's Day.

A member of Tanya's best friend's family died of cancer "too young", and Tanya's having the fundraiser with them in mind.

Tanya opened her new art gallery "Art Confessions" in March this year. Her artwork is very colourful, bright and distinctive. The image at left, one I picked at random from Tanya's website because I liked it, has a story to tell. She painted the piece for the Country Energy art competition, to display the diversity of the Australian outback.

Tonight's event is a great opportunity to have a look at some of her work. You can also check it out online at her gallery's website www.artconfessions.com .

Event details -

Art Confessions 313A Argent Street, Broken Hill

Friday 2 August 2013, 6 pm - 10 pm.

Entry by gold coin donation.

You can follow www.ilovebrokenhill.com tweets at @ilovebrokenhill

This is one of Tanya's tweets about the event -

My Art, Wine and Cheese Open Night (TONIGHT PEOPLE!) made front page of the newspaper today =) PS: Im NOT the... http://t.co/aAMkoA64Ad
— Art Confessions (@ArtConfessions) August 2, 2013

The Cancer Council Australia's big annual fundraising event "Daffodil Day" is coming up on -

23 August, 2013 see more details at the Cancer Council's website www.cancer.org.au .

Do come along tonight to support this fundraising effort, it's also a nice way to end the working week.

I wish I could be there, but I'm in Melbourne.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane

Sussan Ley stars with Annabel Crabb, in ABC's 'Kitchen Cabinet'

MP Sussan Ley, Member for Farrer

Kitchen Cabinet with MP The Hon. Sussan Ley
One of my favourite TV shows at the moment is ABC's 'Kitchen Cabinet', hosted by Australian political journalist and ABC's Chief Online Political Writer Annabel Crabb. Annabel will interview Federal Member for Farrer and Liberal Party representative, The Hon. Sussan Ley about her fascinating career. Annabel will also speak to New South Wales Liberal Senator The Hon. Bill Heffernan to find out more about what makes him 'tick'. Bill I'm told will be helping as assistant 'cook'.

The show is usually filmed at the guest's home, but this time it will be filmed in a shearing shed at Mount Gipps Station, a short distance from Broken Hill, partly due to the fact that Sussan has worked as a shearer's cook and shed hand.

Annabel Crabb, Bill Heffernan and Sussan Ley
From 'Kitchen Cabinet's Facebook page

These are just a couple of roles this fascinating politician has undertaken. She flies around her huge electorate and has a commercial pilot's licence amongst a myriad of other qualifications. The federal electorate of Farrer  covers an area of nearly 250,000 square kilometers including Broken Hill and Albury NSW to the south east, situated on the Murray River. Sussan's pilot's licence sees her regularly in the air as flies around the electorate in her light plane,

I very briefly interviewed Sussan when I was in Canberra earlier this year. See link to article of 8 June here.

To learn more about Sussan's amazing and impressive career, you can go to her website www.sussanley.com . For more information about Bill whom I've not met, see his website www.billheffernan.com.au .

Mount Gipps Station was where boundary rider Charles Rasp was working mustering, checking fences and prospecting when he identified a metal ore in 1883, which would soon after lead to the discovery of the rich ore body of silver, lead and zinc within the 'Line of Lode' which was also known as Broken Hill due to a small break in the middle of it.

Tonight on #kitchencabinet: The incredible life story of @sussanley, with a side order of Bill Heffernan. 8pm on ABC1
— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) July 30, 2013

'Kitchen Cabinet' is in its third season and this 5th episode screens tonight at 7.30pm Central Standard Time, (8pm in my home town Melbourne).

Enjoy. Cheers, Jane D

Australian Ballet comes to the bush, Broken Hill to be exact!

From the Australian Ballet
Dancers Company website

Community Event - Ballet
It's no wonder Broken Hill can be described as a cultural hub. This time, it's because the Australian Ballet is bringing a touring company to the city to perform a triple bill act on Wednesday 31 July 2013, in just a few days time.

Dancers Company, the regional touring arm of the Australian Ballet is going on the road and will visit South Australia, Victoria, Broken Hill and the Northern Territory.

The Company will perform Swan Lake (Act III), Paquita and a special work of their own Rimbombo at the Broken Hill Civic Centre.

Principle dancer Amy Harris will feature in Swan Lake and Paquita. Bimbombo is choreographer Simon Dow's brand new work which will feature the young male dancers of the company and will showcase their athleticism and emerging artistry.  All together 25 grad students plus Ms Harris will perform.

Details - 7.30pm at the Broken Hill Civic Centre, 60 Chloride Street (cnr Blende Street).

Tickets can be booked at the Visitor Information Centre on (08) 8080 3575.

All I can add is, lucky Broken Hill, and on top of that to have the ballet delivered to your door with no big city parking worries.

Enjoy. Cheers, Jane D

iStreet Desert Expression Concert & Music Jam on now

Town Square to the left
Corner Argent and Chloride Streets

Community Event
Music
The iStreet Desert Expression Concert and Music Jam is on now at the Town Square in Argent Street, corner of Chloride Street, opposite the Town Hall.

The concert is on between 1 and 5pm today 27 July 2013.

There's still time to pop down there for some fun.

If you can't make that, there also the after party between 6-9pm tonight. Tickets are $5.

Theatre 44 from their website

After party venue is Theatre 44, 189 Wills Street, Broken Hill.

For more details about the event which is a Broken Hill Art Exchange (BHAE) collaboration, see further information below from the 'press release'. You can check out the website link also below to book tickets for the party tonight and as mentioned above, they're only $5.

http://istreetdesertexpression.eventbrite.com

iStreet Desert Expression grew out of a regional tour by digital artist
and community developer mervin Jarman, to engage the local populations of
Menindee, Wilcannia, Cobar, Balranald, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Ivanhoe,
Dareton, Bourke and Broken Hill.

Mervin’s methodology is ‘engagement with
a difference’ designed to foster ‘the creative abilities of the
underestimated and undervalued youth population worldwide, giving them a
voice to echo and a space to shine’ (http://istreetlab.ning.com/).

BHAE Logo
from their website

The iStreet Desert Expression Concert & Jam is for the young and the young at
heart. So bring along a musical instrument to join in the jam or just put
on your dancing shoes for this Concert with a difference! iStreet Desert
Expression is new and experimental and its happening this Saturday. It has
already helped to establish a Youth Program for workshops and excursions
in our region and beyond. We hope to make the iStreet Desert Expression an
annual rotating event across the region to raise the funds that will allow
new social enterprises to establish, using the portable iStreet Labs by
mervin and his methodology for youth engagement.

It all sounds like a lot of fun.

Enjoy. Cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill's Demo Club 110th anniversary celebrations all weekend

Community Event

Happy 110th Birthday to the Demo Club!

There's lots happening for the 110th anniversary of the Barrier Social Democratic Club (Demo club) over the coming weekend.

See article below for some of the details about what's on. Details of this article have been sourced from the "For Real Magazine" (via today's 19 July 2013 email subscription link), and For Real Magazine sourced their information from - The Bigger Brighter Breakie Show - 2BH 567

The Barrier Social Democratic Club in Broken Hill is celebrating it’s 110th anniversary.

The Club's Marketing Officer Jenna Millagan says with many events planned it’s a great chance for locals to show their support for the Demo Club.

“Today we have, from 2.30 – 5.30pm an outdoor broadcast… live from the Club. Then we have after 5.30pm we have our Monster Meat Raffle, followed by our Up The River promotion and our members weekly draw with entertainment from 7.30pm with the Super Hits Country Show with the Rustic Suns from Melbourne.”

“Celebrations are continuing on through on Saturday, we’ve got our Electrical Landslide from 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon followed by the Bolo Brothers from 8.00pm in the main bar area.”

“On Sunday we have our members Fun Day from 1.30pm followed by our kids karaoke, talent quest show from 4 – 6pm.”

Flyer for Demo Club Facebook page

“It would be really great to see everyone come down to the Club for the weekend and support the Club and it’s members and really get involved and see what we’ve got to offer” said Jenna.

It all sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm a member of the Demo Club and it's a great local Broken Hill club. It's a real local institution.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Boken Hill Chamber of Commerce new Board announced

Boken Hill Chamber of Commerce new Board announced.

Congratulations to the new Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce Board which were elected last Thursday 11 July 2013, and publicly announced earlier in the week.  See the names of the new office bearers below.

President - Ann Rogers

Vice President - Paul Seager

Treasurer - Sharon Hocking

Public Officer - Andrew Gasmier

Board members - Trevor Hicks, Wayne Lee, Rachel Story, Jim Richards and Tabby Tabateau

For more details about who the new Board members are and other information, see BH Chamber of Commerce website www.bhchamberofcommerce.wordpress.com or their Twitter account @ChamberBH.

See their new Board announcement here or via their tweet link (see below). You can take the opportunity to 'follow' their Twitter account via that tweet if you'd like to keep up with the latest Chamber news.

Chamber Welcomes New Board http://t.co/aXMFXOP3Rg
— BH Chamber Commerce (@ChamberBH) July 15, 2013

Feel free to 'follow' www.ilovebrokenhill.com 's Twitter account link here @ilovebrokenhill or via the tweet below (it couldn't be easier). It would be great to have you 'follow the conversation'.

http://t.co/kJ4mWe3V07: #BrokenHill Chamber of Commerce AGM tonight 11 Jul... http://t.co/WW7u46bvri
— Jane Deany (@ilovebrokenhill) July 11, 2013

All the best to the new Board for the coming year.

Cheers, Jane D

Faster Broadband for Broken Hill Q & A, 2-3pm 17 July 2013

Luke Hartsuyker MP
Federal Member of Cowper
Image supplied from Sussan Ley's office

Community Event
Don't miss the opportunity to find out more about the Federal Coalition's commitment to deliver internet speeds of between 25 and 100 mbps to all Australian premises by 2016.

The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Federal Member for Farrer, together with Luke Hartsuyker MP, Federal Member of Cowper (NSW), Shadow Minister for Regional Communications are holding a question and answer session to address the very important issue relating to Broadband in the Bush, in particular Broken Hill. Details -

Venue:     Broken Hill City Council, 240 Blende Street, Broken Hill

When:      2 - 3 pm Wednesday 17 July 2013

Queries to Sussan Ley's office 1300 303 203 (toll free inside Farrer)

Sounds like a valuable opportunity to raise any concerns you may have and to find out more about this really important issue for all Australians.

Talking NBN in the back country with Luke Hartsuyker. Labor has said 2020 maybe. #BrokenHill and FarWest won't be forgotten under our plan!
— Sussan Ley (@sussanley) July 16, 2013

Worth attending if you get the chance. Cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce AGM tonight 11 July 2013

Community/Business Event

Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting. Thursday 6.30pm @ The Demo. http://t.co/LuSnJBc0P7
— BH Chamber Commerce (@ChamberBH) July 10, 2013

A quick note to say the Broken Hill Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting is on tonight.

Details
Barrier Social Democratic Club (Demo Club)
218 Argent Street, Broken Hill.

Time: 6.30pm.

Like all the meetings, the AGM is open to the public.

The Chamber of Commerce provides a great opportunity to get more involved in the community.

The Chamber was established in 1891 and their office is located at -
164 Argent Street, Broken Hill.
Office hours - Tuesday to Friday 10am - 2pm.

Chamber contact details -
Telephone (08) 8087 2236
Facsimile (08) 8087 8387
Email execofficer@bhchamberofcommerce.com.au
Web www.bhchamberofcommerce.wordpress.com

Cheers, Jane D

Dr M Yunupingu on ABC's Australian Story in NAIDOC Week

Music
As we know, it's NAIDOC week with a series of events around the national. Great story on ABC's Australian Story tonight which has just finished. If you missed it, catch it on ABC's iview. Dr M Yunupingu's music has been enjoyed in Broken Hill, in Melbourne, across Australia and of course around the world through the band "Yothu Yindi".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders please note that this episode of Australian Story includes images of people now deceased.

I am honoured to have been invited to introduce the updated program for tonight’s episode of Australian Story about Mr Yunupingu
— Jessica Mauboy (@jessicamauboy) July 8, 2013

The National Indigenous Music Awards 2013 on 10 August 2013 in Darwin, will honour Dr Yunupingu.

We remember and mourn a wonderful Australian. Jane D

Let us celebrate NAIDOC Week 7-14 July 2013

Community Event

NAIDOC week officially kicked off yesterday Sunday 7 July and will run until next Sunday 14 July 2013, and is being celebrated around Australia and the Torres Strait Islands.  The theme this year is "We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963."

Check out the NAIDOC website for more information. www.naidoc.org.au.

Last Thursday 4th July 2013 saw Broken Hill's special celebration of NAIDOC Week at the family fun day at Sturt Park, see my story of 3 July here.

Comments
If you went along to Broken Hill's NAIDOC week celebrations, it would be great to hear all about it, so feel free to add your comments here about how you enjoyed this event.

Mildura NAIDOC Week Event
It's a great week to get out and celebrate this important event, and it's school holidays so here's something that may interest parents and children. Mildura has several events celebrating NAIDOC week, including one on 10 July which includes basketball fun for the young and a BBQ between 10-3pm at the Basketball Stadium, Eighth Street. Mildura is a bit of a drive but it's the closest city (3 hour drive) to Broken Hill, that I know of, that has NAIDOC week activities.

Queries about the basketball event can be directed to Joe Hurst 03 5022 3111.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Congratulations Ian Tully winner Broken Hill Outback Open Art Prize

Art Scene
The winner of Broken Hill's 'Outback Open Art Prize' has been announced by the Prize's judge, Musswellbrook Regional Art Centre Manager Brad Franks and the winner is -

Ian Tully, with his sculpture "Personal Mobile Broadband Satellite Receiver" 2013.

'Pinnacles Desert' by Tim Winters
courtesy artist

Second prize ($2,500) went to Tim Winters with his piece "Pinnacles Desert" 2013 (pictured).

The Encouragement Award ($800) went to Vincent Namatjira with his piece "Albert Namatjira Camping" 2013.

As you can see, I have managed to get in touch with one of the prize winners (so far) to obtain an image of their prize winning entry. I will pursue Ian and Albert (if possible) for images of their artworks. I love the colours in Tim's painting on paper which was inspired by the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia. Congratulations to you Tim. Well done.

The People's Choice Award results are not yet known.  This is the first time the non financial People's Choice Award has been offered.

An exhibition of the winning entries and all the 44 finalist's pieces will run from -

6 July to 18 August 2013 at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery -

404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill

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

Entry by gold coin donation.

The annual "Outback Open Art Prize" has been offered since 1994.

Ian has won the acquisitive $15,000 prize, and in return, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery will acquire the winning sculpture for  display in its already impressive and extensive collection. Not only is Ian Tully a sculptor, but he is also the Director of the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery. Swan Hill is a Victorian border town about 4.5 or so hours drive from Broken Hill. 

Tim Winters is from Stewart Town near Orange, a regional centre in central New South Wales. Tim was interviewed earlier today on ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph program. See the link here to the interview - http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/outback-art/4801940. In the interview Tim said of his artwork "It is definitely not a literal landscape, it is more an interpretation of it."

Vincent Namatjira is the grandson of the famous Australian artist Albert Namatjira.

Congratulations to Ian on winning this coveted art prize, as well as to Tim and Vincent. I am told by someone from the finalist's selection panel that the standard of the entries was very high. I look forward to seeing the sculpture when I'm next in Broken Hill.

Cheers, Jane D