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ABOUT
ilovebrokenhill.com , was first published on 8 December 2011 by Jane Deany. My blog is all about the famous outback Australian National Heritage Listed City named Broken Hill, located in the state of New South Wales. I first visited #BrokenHill in 2002 and have returned many times since then. ilovebrokenhill.com will help you discover what's great about this historic mining city, where in the mid 1880's the line of lode, a rich ore body of silver, lead and zinc was found. You will find stories about anything related to Broken Hill.

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Patton Village Summer Vibes Festival 30.11.12-27.01.13 Sth Broken Hill

Publicity Brochure from
'Summer Vibes' website
Entertainment
Don't miss the Summer Vibes Festival which begins this Friday 30 November at Patton Park, Patton Street, South Broken Hill, (opposite the local shops in Patton Street).

I know a lot of work has gone into it as I have been reading about it over the past months in the local "Barrier Daily Truth" newspaper and ABC Broken Hill website.

ABC Broken Hill will play a short film "Big Dreams for New Generation" to kick off the festival's nine week line up of films on this festival opening night.

From ABC Broken Hill's website I've sourced the following -

"Big Dreams for New Generation was produced as part of ABC Open's DreamBox project and showcases dreams collected from the students of Alma Public School during last year's NAIDOC Week.

This fantastic film along with over fifteen others about life in the Broken Hill region will be screened as part of the Summer Vibes Festival at Patton Park, South Broken Hill; Every Friday evening from 30 November to 27 January; and at Coburn Hotel on 26 January."

Festival Dates:     30 November 2012 - 27 January 2013

ABC Open Broken Hill's short film  8.30 - 8.35 pm Friday 30 November

Where:                   Patton Park, Patton Street, South Broken Hill

Website:                www.summervibes.org.au

Patton Village is running the event.

It sounds like a lot of fun. There will be a lot on. I suggest you check out their website for events and more information.  I hope I can make it to some of the events.

Cheers, Jane D

Saturday 24 November 2012

Three Special Exhibitions now on at Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

Art Scene
Yes ... more art, as once again the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery is hosting a significant combined exhibition comprising three separate collections.

Rita Bruggy with some of her quilts at the
 current Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery art
exhibition. Photo courtesy BDT Darrin Manuel
The three exhibitions which were officially opened last night 23 November 2012 are the -

Annual Higher School Certificate (HSC) Major Works exhibition.

"Emerging Artist Within Family" exhibition showcasing the art of husband and wife Rita and Mike Bruggy - tapestry and quilting - Rita and painting and drawing - Mike.

EMED Cultural Alliance "Three Artists from Espana" exhibition which showcases the work of three Spanish artists - Juan Barba Rhobles, Mario Leon and Jesus del Toro Cardenas.

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
photo courtesy of their website


Information regarding the EMED Cultural Alliance Exhibition which I have sourced from the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery's website is as follows -

"The EMED Mining Cultural Alliance focuses on the creation of sustainable enterprises, which are independent of mining, through the sharing of experiences and ideas between the three historic mining towns of Broken Hill (Australia), Riotinto (Spain) and Banska Stiavnica (Slovakia).


This latest exhibition showcases works by three artists from the region of Riotinto in Spain; Juan Barba Rhobles, Jesus del Toro Cárdeñas and Mario León. The exhibition represent 3 very different styles and goes beyond simply representing the landscape of the region but more so describes the life and culture that makes their world. This is a mirror of the exhibition which is currently showing at the Museo Vazquez Diaz in Nerva, Spain, featuring the works of 3 prominent Broken Hill artists; Rick Ball, John Hart and Jim Paterson, which soon begins a tour of Spanish art galleries."

Details of the exhibitions are as follows -

Venue:   Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
               404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Dates:    24 November 2012 - 3 February 2012

Time:     10 am - 5 pm daily (except Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

Entry:     by gold coin donation

Enquiries:   08 8080 3440  or  email  artgallery@brokenhill.nsw.gov.au

I hope to visit during the exhibition.  I was fortunate to meet Rita Bruggy on my last visit to Broken Hill in October this year and needless to say she was excited about the upcoming exhibition.  It sounds all very fascinating.  I have seen the HSC exhibition in previous years and there has been some amazing and impressive work so I imagine the works in this 2012 exhibition will be no different.

I'm sorry I couldn't be there for the opening last night to hear the various speeches from those who officially opened each exhibition.  The EMED exhibition was opened by the Spanish Ambassador to Australia - Enrique Viguera, Councillor Peter Black OAM opened the Bruggy joint exhibition and local artist and winner of this year's Outback Open Art Prize - Rick Ball opened the HSC exhibition.  Enjoy.

Cheers, Jane D

Wednesday 21 November 2012

AGL Proposes Solar Plant for Broken Hill and Invites Local Comment

As per the advertisement in the  Barrier Daily Truth (BDT) on Friday 16 November 2012 (where I have sourced the majority of information for this post) -

"AGL is proposing a Solar Plant for Broken Hill, and approval is being sought for the construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.  The nominated site is approximately 5 kilometres southwest of Broken Hill.

The Broken Hill Solar Plant would consist of a nominal 50 MW solar PV power station.  Over 650,000 solar PV modules will be installed, covering an area of about 125 hectares (ha).

This is the photo from the AGL website regarding the project
An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project has been lodged with the New South Wales Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DP&I).  The document is available for public review and comment during an exhibition period which runs between 29 October and 30 November 2012."

"During this time, the community are invited to provide their comments about the project directly to DP&I.

AGL will hosting a community information session to provide a summary of the EA and answer questions about the project:

Date:        Thursday, 22 November 2012

Time:        The first session will be held from 12-2 pm
                 A repeat session will be held from 6.30-8.30 pm

Location:   Both session will be held at Broken Hill Community Inc. Centre for Community at 200 Beryl Street, Broken Hill.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by calling the AGL Community Relations team on 1800 039 600.

Printed copies of the documents are available at several locations see below -

  • Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre,
    23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney, 2000
  • Nature Conservation Council, Level 2, 5 Wilson Street, Newtown NSW, 2042
  • Broken Hill City Council, Council Administration Offices,
    240 Blende Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880
  • Broken Hill Charles Rasp Library, 249 Blende Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880.

They are also available for viewing online at the following locations:

DP&I website:  www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

AGL website: www.agk.com.au/brokenhill/index.php/environment/

In my own words (not from the BDT or AGL), I think it is worth getting involved in the process for sure if you care about Broken Hill and/or environmental sustainability.  I am all for sustainability and alternative renewable fuel sources, however, I hope the location selected is not an eyesore.  From the picture on the AGL site which I have added above, I would be concerned if they were going to change the look of that area which I must say always appeals to me as I get close to the city, the two little peaks or hills to the left or west of the highway.  I hope it won't be visible from that main approach road to the city from the south.

Cheers, Jane D

Monday 19 November 2012

ilovebrokenhill.com now has a YouTube channel - ilovebrokenhillcom

Peter Mrkusich (left) playing bass with Monkey Box
at the Muso Club in Broken Hill
Interview
I recently interviewed my friend Peter Mrkusich about his memory of his trip to Broken Hill which he made with his wife Pauline and myself in September 2009.

The interview is now available via my new YouTube channel which is called ilovebrokenhillcom .  Access to my YouTube channel is available via the right hand side bar where the reference to ilovebrokenhillcom YouTube channel is.  You can also find the recording here.

I hope you enjoy it.  It is my first ever filmed interview ... see what you think.

By the way, in case you missed my other post about that same trip of Peter's to Broken Hill you can find a link to it here.

Cheers, Jane D

Sunday 11 November 2012

Please remember Armistice (Remembrance) Day @ 11am today

Remembrance Day Poppy from
 www.anzacday.org.au site
Community Event
Today at 11am Commonwealth countries will remember the fallen soldiers would fought for their countries during World War 1 (WW1).  The end of hostilities occurred on this day in 1918.  We mark the time with a minute's silence at 11am on this day each year.

The red poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields in Flanders during WW1, their red colour being a reminder and symbol of the blood spilled during this war.

Lest We Forget

Thank you to all soldiers who died in the line of duty for their countries.

Rest in peace

Saturday 10 November 2012

Entertainment in Broken Hill is never ending

Entertainment
I know it's a little late to "advertise" events that are on "after the event" so to speak but, as many of my readers are from overseas and are reading my articles to find out about Broken Hill, I just want to mention a couple of wonderful events that were on earlier this evening.

Two shows caught my attention in the line up of entertainment in Broken Hill for Saturday night this week and they were -
"A Priscilla Queen of the Desert Tribute Show" at 7pm at Club Legion (170 Crystal Street, Broken Hill),

Drag Queens Andrew Bevarne, Brad Moore and Leith Williams
will join other performers in the Priscilla Tribute show

Photo from 'Barrier Daily Truth' by Emily Roberts
and

Broken Hill Philharmonic Choir which presented "The Magic of Musicals II" at 7.30pm at the Broken Hill Civic Centre (60 Chloride Street, Broken Hill).

The Priscilla Show organised by local Broken Hill identity Andrew Bevarne, will obviously appeal to fans of the 1994 "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" movie which was filmed in part in Broken Hill.

An eclectic mix of entertainment to be sure.

If you went to either show I hope you enjoyed it and of course if you did please feel free to tell us all how you enjoyed it.
People I know have tried to leave comments and have found the anti-spam feature problematic, please persist as we'd all love to hear your thoughts on my articles and as I've said before, if you have any topics you'd like me to research please let me know with a comment.

Cheers, Jane D

Friday 9 November 2012

Ten years, Broken Hill and me ... it's the anniversary!

Today marks the ten year anniversary of my first visit to Broken Hill and obviously the rest is history.

Thanks for all the great times Broken Hill.

This is a picture of me at the iconic Living Desert Sculpture Park with one of the most photographed (and painted) sculptures.  The park is a must see for any visitor to the city.  The Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre can provide details of how to get there etc...

Cheers, Jane D

Thursday 8 November 2012

The Odditoreum Exhibition now on in Broken Hill

Exhibition
Okay it's not quite breaking news but it is odd and it is in Broken Hill.  Yes the Sydney Powerhouse Museum's "The Odditoreum" exhibition is currently on show in Broken Hill.  I had a sneak preview the day before the opening night (as unfortunately I had to leave the city prior to the actual night) and I highly recommend a visit if you are passing through town or of course if you are a local.  It's quite fascinating.


Opal mausoleum for the
world's smartest budgie



















Just your average oddities


The GeoCentre






Photography is welcome and as you can see I took a number of photos, some of which I've added here.  Enjoy.

The exhibition details are as follows -

Dates and time:      23 October 2012 - 22 January 2013
                               Monday - Friday 10 am - 4.45 pm, Saturday/Sunday 1-4.45 pm

Venue:                   Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre)
                               2 Bromide Street, corner Crystal Street, Broken Hill

Contact:                  (08) 8080 3500
                                geocentre@brokenhill.nsw.gov.au

Entry:                      Entry fee for the GeoCentre is $5 for adults.

I should add that the GeoCentre houses a famous 42kg silver nugget and an equally famous Silver Tree as well as many other interesting exhibits.  It's well worth a visit in its own right.

Cheers, Jane D

Tuesday 6 November 2012

2012 Melbourne Cup, US elections and Broken Hill ... and the link is ?

Green Moon winning 2012 Melbourne Cup
source Sydney Morning Herald - Jason South
Races
I am being a bit cheeky here. I am sure there may be some kind of link between these three topics but it's not jumping out at me. I know there were a lot of Melbourne Cup themed events on today in Broken Hill so there is a link right there.  As you know I am from Melbourne and yes I was fortunate to once again go to Flemington to see the Cup today but no, even though I have backed Green Moon in the past and won (when Green Moon won the 2012 2000m Group 1 Turnbull Stakes), I didn't today ... oh well I had a few firsts in other races and some places and had a great day.

So I really want to take the opportunity to congratulate Green Moon and his connections on their fantastic win .... really well done, very exciting.

For information on all the results today an excellent site is Racing Victoria.  I've placed a link to the results of the Melbourne Cup here.  While surfing around for coverage of today's Melbourne Cup, I came across the Australian Financial Review's (AFR) wrap up of the event which is pretty comprehensive, see link to the AFR article here.

US Elections
I only mention this as it is in the news and about this time tomorrow night we may know who the next American President is to be ... the incumbent Democrat Barak Obama or Republican hopeful Mitt Romney.  Perhaps the link to Broken Hill could be that maybe, just maybe, in a very surprising twist, the winner, in their next term, could not only be invited to Broken Hill, but they in fact could actually visit the city.  Why not?  Of course the financial cost would be huge what with security etc..., anyhow, just a thought.

If you want to follow the 2012 US election an excellent source of information is surely Reuters.

As I said, I'm sure there was a lot of Melbourne Cup inspired celebrating going on in the city today, but for once I'm glad I was in Melbourne at Flemington.

Once again, congratulations no. 14 Green Moon (from barrier 5), his Australian jockey Brett Prebble (Brett is currently based in Hong Kong), Australian trainer Robert Hickmott (based Mt. Macedon) and high profile owners Mr Lloyd J. Williams, his wife Suzy and their son Nick.  This is Lloyd Williams 4th Melbourne Cup win.

Cheers, Jane D