Broken Hill art gallery list updated on ilovebrokenhill ... see footer

A section of the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

The Broken Hill (and Silverton) art galleries list has been updated on my ilovebrokenhill website.

See the footer below. 

Please scroll to bottom of the site for an up to date list of all the galleries in #BrokenHill and #Silverton.

There are over 25 galleries. There could even be more which you may stumble upon. New ones seem to spring up quite often.

As of this date, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery is hosting several art exhibitions. The gallery has an active exhibition schedule. See their website for details.

The West Darling Arts at the Town Hall Facade space has a current exhibition and the Broken Hill Art Exchange (BHAE) has just moved to the Grand Guesthouse this week. The BHAE is just finishing setting up after their move, so not ready for visitors for a week or so. All three exhibition spaces are in #BrokenHill's main street - Argent Street. See my gallery list for the exact addresses.

Enjoy.

Jane Deany

'Today' show 'We Love Australia Week' in Silverton 7 March 2016

Channel 9's 'Today' show will be touring Australia this week and tomorrow morning, Monday 7 March 2016 finds team member Ross Greenwood in ghost town #Silverton, some 26 km from Broken Hill.

Filming will be on between 5.30 am - 8 am.

Watch @thetodayshow tomorrow morning 7 March 2016 from 5.30 am, they're in #Silverton near #BrokenHill https://t.co/Eif43Xw5OA

— ilovebrokenhill (@ilovebrokenhill) March 6, 2016

You can get there under your own steam or catch the free shuttle bus at 5am and 6am which leaves from the Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre.

If you can't make it, just tune into free to air Channel 9.

The Today show team will visit a number of special Australian destinations over the week-long road trip. You can find out more on their website - http://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/today/

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Cheers, Jane Deany

More good solar news in the Broken Hill region

It was great to read that the solar plant on the edge of Silverton, in the Broken Hill region was starting to take shape.

The plant, a joint initiative between AGL, First Solar and the Australian Government, will reportedly cost approximately $150 million.

ABC Broken Hill reported the story earlier this month. Here's the link to the article by Alexandra Back - http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/05/08/4232122.htm

Alexandra put it very well by describing that Broken Hill is transitioning from a Silver City to a Solar City.

Here's a Tweet that includes an image from the story 

First of more than 650,000 solar panels clicked into place at #BrokenHill solar plant pic.twitter.com/B6lajAWzYo

— Alexandra Back (@alexmback) May 7, 2015 

I could add that Broken Hill's also transitioning more and more to a tourism city, what with the National Heritage City Listing in January this year. But that's another story, and there is still much to made of that significant development.

Anyhow, if you're interested in the solar journey (I first wrote about the proposal in November 2012), I think there's still plenty of room for further developments in that space as well, so stay tuned.

Cheers, Jane Deany

Helbar Farm Photography Gallery Silverton hosts weekend exhibition

Art Scene
It was wonderful to come across Helbar Farm Photography Gallery at Silverton the other day. Silverton by the way is about 25 kms north west from Broken Hill. It was perfect timing as it gave me the chance to meet gallery co-owner and photographer Helen Murray who not only showed me around some of the farm and her gallery, but she told me about an upcoming exhibition this weekend.

Photographer Helen Murray at the entrance to
Helbar Farm Photography Gallery, Silverton

The gallery and surrounding lush gardens which form a mini oasis on the edge of Silverton will host a special photography exhibition which will feature the impressive work of  Helen, together with the fabulous work of well known local Broken Hill photographer Boris Hlavica (who taught Helen photography).

Up and coming photographer Ali-G's work will also be on display.

It's a beautiful setting and I'm sure it will be a great exhibition based on what I saw of Helen's wonderful work, and what I've seen of Boris's work when I visited his gallery 'Images of Australia' in the past, I wish I could be there, but it was time to get back to Melbourne.

Helen Murray at the entrance of the
Helbar Farm Photography Gallery

Location
Helbar Farm Photography Gallery is located near Penrose Park Silverton. Just head to Silverton, look for the signs to both Penrose Park and the clearly signed gallery which is actually in Umberumberka Creek Road (Lot 10), turn right off Silverton Road (if you're coming from the Broken Hill direction).

Telephone 08 8087 3962

Some of the oasis like garden at
Helbar Farm Photography Gallery

Why not take the chance to look around the other galleries, cafes, hotel and other attractions in Silverton and make a day of it.

Silverton is a small place but there's a lot to see.

Gallery opened today, Saturday 11am, and will also be open Sunday from 10am.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

R.M.Williams shoots Spring/Summer 2013 catalogue in Broken Hill

The lavishly shot R.M.Williams Spring/Summer 2013 catalogue has featured Broken Hill, Silverton and surrounds as the setting.

Five models were used for the shoot, and included Shadae Magson the 2010 Miss Universe Australia finalist, Ashley Hart, sister of well known Sports Illustrated cover girl Jessica, and Kris Smith (Australian singer Danii Minogue’s ex partner (yes that’s Kylie’s sister).  The catalogue’s photographer was Nick Leary.

R.M.Williams – The Bush Outfitter, was established in 1932 by Reginald Murray Williams AO, CMG.  It is an iconic Australia clothing brand.  The company is world renowned for Australian handcrafted boots, in addition to shoes, clothing and accessories.

I have a pair of their famous Craftsmen boots, they’re fantastic and considered pretty stylish down-under, and almost essential if you live on the land.

Check out the catalogue online here.  It’s a very substantial production – 154 pages.  The company is celebrating their 80^th anniversary.

Congratulations R.M.Williams.

Cheers Jane D

First meeting of Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee 12 July 2012

Silverton Municipal Chambers

Further to my other two recent posts about the future establishment of the Silverton Wind Farm near Broken Hill, please note that today sees the first meeting of the Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee (SCCC).  AGL, the company involved, has established the SCCC which is open to interested members of the community.  AGL’s general manager for power development, Scott Thomas and manager of solar development Doug Landfear will be in attendance.  There is no set agenda.  The meeting details are as follows -  

Date:          12 July 2012

Venue:       Silverton Municipal Chambers

Time:         6.00 pm

Aim

It is a voluntary committee and as previously noted, “the aim of the Silverton Wind Farm CCC is to help strengthen the community engagement process so that community issues can be addressed appropriately.”  It is a voluntary committee (initially meeting monthly) which will include various stakeholder and community representatives who have demonstrated an interest or connection to the project.  The meetings are to discuss planning developments as well as community issues and concerns regarding the project.  It will also provide an opportunity for the local community to work with the AGL project team to find solutions.

It is part of AGL’s acknowledgement that there are (to quote their initial advertisement) “some community concerns regarding development of the Silverton Wind Farm.”

If you are interested in being involved the number to call (free) is –

1800 039 600  Silverton Wind Farm CCC Community Hotline and they will send you a nomination form as well as further details.  Neil Cooke, Manager Power Development is the contact.  He can also be reached on mobile  0402 059 855.

I am registered to be on their email list to be kept up to date with developments.  It’s a good way to be involved if you can’t physically be there.

Cheers, Jane D

Tour De Foodies – Broken Hill 21 June 2012

“A Guide to Dining out in Broken Hill” is a group that has been set up on facebook which is designed to be “a place where you can be proactive about the foods you eat and the service you get from the restaurants, delis, cafes, clubs, pubs, fast foods, homes of Broken Hill….”  Sounds like a great idea, I’ve joined, there are some great restaurants and cafes in Broken Hill.

Not sure if the group includes neighbouring Silverton, but I can confirm the one café in this small town, the Silverton Café does a really great “feed”.  Very tasty, open daily and it’s licensed.  (note I don’t think they don’t take credit cards-check to be sure)  There’s the famous Silverton Hotel also, but I’ve never eaten there so I can’t comment.  Feel free to let us know if you have, especially if you enjoyed it.

Back to Broken Hill and this week is the inaugural “Tour De Foodies” is on.  It’s a restaurant crawl in other words.  It is planned to get together monthly on the third Thursday of each month.  The idea is that the group would try out three different parts of a menu in three different locations.



Broken Earth Cafe/Restaurant Broken Hill

The venues for the first event are as follows.   “Foodies” will start at 6pm at The Broken Earth Café/Restaurant for entrees, then Mr Pickwicks for mains and the Mulga for dessert.  A bus will ferry the diners around.

According to the article in the Barrier Daily Truth (BDT) on 2 May 2012 one of the organisers Georgie Blore said “It’s not about critiquing food; it’s about having a good night out and meeting people”.  Georgie and a couple of friends have set up the group.  It’s a non profit fun gathering and each person pays for their own meal and drinks.  Look at the "A Guide to Dining out in Broken Hill" site for more information.

I’d love to hear how it goes, according to facebook there is a lot of local interest.  I’m sure there will be lots of follow up comments on facebook.  Enjoy.

Cheers indeed, Jane D

Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee - nominations now open

Okay, I have said this once before (8^th May 2012 in fact), Silverton isn’t Broken Hill, but it is pretty close, just 25 kms down the road.  The locals in that very small town are currently concerned about AGL’s proposed wind farm.  I’m pretty sure many residents in Broken Hill are just as concerned so I was interested to see an advertisement in the “Barrier Daily Truth” on page 12 today.  The advertiser was AGL and it was about them announcing that, as part of a community engagement process for the proposed Silverton Wind Farm Project, they are in the process of establishing the Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and are inviting members of the community to register their interest in taking part.

wind turbines courtesy wikipedia

Aim

“The aim of the Silverton Wind Farm CCC is to help strengthen the community engagement process so that community issues can be addressed appropriately.”  It is a voluntary committee (initially meeting monthly) which will include various stakeholder and community representatives who have demonstrated an interest or connection to the project.  The meetings are to discuss planning developments as well as community issues and concerns regarding the project.  It will also provide an opportunity for the local community to work with the AGL project team to find solutions.

It is part of AGL’s acknowledgement that there are (to quote the ad) “some community concerns regarding development of the Silverton Wind Farm.”

There are more details in the ad regarding the opportunities the establishment of this local group will provide the community with.

It sounds like a very good idea.  I have already left my details to register (following a recorded message) via their Community Hotline.  If you are interested the number to call (free) is –

1800 039 600  Silverton Wind Farm CCC Community Hotline and they will send you a nomination form as well as further details.

Cheers, Jane D

2007 and it's back to Broken Hill again ...

After the brief, second trip back to Broken Hill in 2005-2006, I was keen to go again and this time stay longer. 

The Route

Heading off via the historic gold mining city of Bendigo (Vic) for an art exhibition (barbed wire sculptures by an artist friend of mine’s brother Barry McLoughlan), it was then on to Mildura for a night.  My travel companion and I arrived in Broken Hill on Sunday 24^th June 2007.

Winter in the outback can be cold …

It was winter this time and many visitors are a little surprised to find how cold Broken Hill can be at this time of year.  But the sky is still very often a clear beutiful blue.  It’s typical of many inland desert towns and cities.  As well as look around the town in more detail this time, I had another friend to show around who’d never been to Broken Hill.  I enjoy being a ‘tour guide’.  I revisited many of the places I’d been to on the last visit, partly to show my friend around, and partly because I enjoyed going there again myself.



Broken Hill Post Office
corner Argent and Chloride Streets

Unique Street Names

The heart of town is situated on Argent Street, which is just one of the many street names based on the names of various mineral related matter.  Some examples included Oxide, Sulphide, Chloride, Mercury, Cobalt, Blende, Beryl, Garnet, Zebina, Bromide, Mica and Crystal Streets.



The Palace Hotel
corner Argent and Sulphide Streets

Argent Street is a vibrant strip of shops, cafes, accommodation venues, clubs, banks, real estate agents and the post office, just to name a few.  The Broken Regional Art Gallery and the famous Mario’s Palace Hotel (now known as The Palace Hotel (Broken Hill) after new owners took over in 2009) are also situated in this strip.



Silverton Hotel and Mad Max vehicle

Silverton

We also visited Silverton (my second trip there), a town some 25 kilometers north west of Broken Hill.  It has a variety of historic sites and art galleries to visit.  There’s the famous Silverton Hotel, a wonderful café with very tasty food with some unique dishes, an old gaol and a school museum. 

I stayed in Broken Hill until the 4^th July on this trip, my friend had left on 28^th June.  Knowing our separate schedules we’d both taken our own cars.

More stories to follow ...

Cheers, Jane D