Spare Me From Grand Pooh-bahs With Their Pretentious Protocols And Convoluted Claptrap...

I opened the Gallery today for two lovely couples and a Springer Spaniel/Poodle cross named Maggie. As Maggie was the Birthday girl, they sensibly rang my number so that she could choose a gift for herself. (I need to have some doggy treats in the Gallery!) In the end, I don't think she could quite decide so her human companions (very well-behaved, I might add) supported four of our artists and departed for lunch.

Whilst in the Gallery, we all somehow struck up a conversation regarding local councils. One of the gents "had the misfortune" of working with, not for, his council and described their relationship causing much gnashing of teeth and rolling of eyes. The quote was his, not mine.

Anyway, his comment spurred me on with the following post. Those who know my blog will know that I occasionally resort to some colourful language, though I must admit that my friend Jo Russell is in a league of her own. She once described her dismissal of a situation as "not giving a fat rat's clacker". Her delicious dexterity of this phrase had me hooting with laughter and was seared into my brain for eternity.

Needless to say, I have digressed. My following diatribe is to highlight the ridiculous, the pompous, the extraneous and the irrelevant practices and procedures that govern small organisations such as our local council.

I used to believe that our council was quite progressive. And in many ways, they are. The Shire of Beverley attracts funding, employs a tourism officer and embarks on good works that will hopefully make our town more attractive, accessible to all people and add to our profile as a regional spot to visit from the Big Smoke.

Then, there is the reality, as I, a ratepayer review the situation. The council spent a lot of funding beautifying the main drag, with underground power, traffic-slowing devices, street trees and shrubs and new pavement. The gardens are reticulated and the street drainage was upgraded. 

What is failing is the upkeep. There is apparently, a weeding and rubbish removal programme, And checking the reticulation that keeps the Vincent Street gardens alive. We arrived back after eight weeks away. Yes, the gardens have seen growth, but weeding is lacking, rubbish is visible and the street needs sweeping, The promised replanting and mulching has yet to materialise. I will be thrilled if all the street trees rebud but I fear that up to half a dozen trees have died through lack of attention.

The outside entry to the Visitors Centre is rather dire. There are weeds growing in the paving and the gardens and all the grass trees have died. Not a good look as the first point-of-contact for visitors. And I could wax lyrical about the lack of volunteers for the Visitors Centre on Sunday. I think our Tourism Officer could contact Sandstone who have their Visitors Centre open seven days a week...

Before we left for our Great Escape, I attended a Council Meeting. I had been allowed to send three questions on notice. As I took my seat at the Round Table, a collective look of shock permeated toward me. Horror of horrors! I had dared to sit in the Wrong Position. I was duly directed to the Ratepayers Seats behind the Councillors. If I had thought it through, I would have made some proletariat snort. 

Local Council Meetings would be funny if they weren't so archaic and out-of-touch with their communities. If we move to a small rural or regional place, we tend to gravitate towards wanting to  contribute to our chosen tree or sea change destination.

So, if you want to achieve change in your local community, forget appealing to Council. At the moment, the Shire of Beverley is busy developing the town centre. At the same time, the Vincent Street gardens need weeding and replanting. And rubbish removal. Plus, the reticulation needs regular checking. We have summer temperatures to the mid 40 degrees Centigrade. The Council believes checking the reticulation every fortnight is acceptable...Plants die in two days without sufficient water here.

Here are my solutions. I will conducting weeding of the gardens in front of the East End Gallery, U Beauty Hair  and the median strip this Thursday 12 September. I would be happy if you could join me for weeding, rubbish removal and donating some small plants which I pledge to water throughout the summer.

 I am sad that the Beverley residents have to add beautification of our town to the agenda. However, I refuse to allow a lack of commitment by the Beverley Shire to lower the standard of Vincent Street.

A final comment. The East End Gallery has been a stalwart of Beverley since 2014. We have just been informed that we are no longer eligible to receive any more Beverley booklets to give to our guests. We have decided to thumb our nose at this conclusion and we will continue to provide tourism information to all those who come into the East End Gallery.

 

 

 

Blowing a raspberry! 

 

 

 

I don't think so...

 

 

Many thanks to Mizz Jo Russell... 

 

 

 

Many thanks to Vivian from "The Young Ones".

 

 

 

We Are Just A Bit Different From Other Galleries!

Ever entered a gallery, studio or other artistic endeavour in which the walls were suitably sparse, the front-of-house rather superior and the pieces terribly avant-garde, repetitive or just dull? (And expensive). We have too.

Plus, anybody judged by how they dress, what tattoos they display or the state of their coiffures could lead to an awful commercial epic fail. Remember that scene in "Pretty Woman" when our heroine Vivian was snubbed by those tacky women who earned the keep by commission and refused to serve her? Oops. 

Quite a few years ago, a friend of mine visited from Melbourne. She was a somewhat eccentric type, enjoying a year-round "uniform" of cargo pants, a tee shirt and sneakers. She completed her look with a mane of long hair. She was also very wealthy. Snubbed due to her appearance by the Studio further up Vincent Street, she promptly dropped several hundred dollars into our laps instead...

We have been running this gig titled the East End Gallery for almost ten years. Oh my giddy aunt! Over the last decade we have learnt to "never judge a book by its cover", and to keep the Gallery very busy with a myriad of artworks. Our range covers cards to jewellery, pottery to wood turning, three dimensional sculpture to mosaics, fine art to ceramics, Coptic books to hyper-colourful fairy tales, photography to  glass. Stuck for a gift for that special somebody or that notoriously irritable great-aunt? We can offer a huge variety of original artworks from five dollars (!) upwards.

Then they are the guests, supporters and locals who have supported us along this fantastical journey. Yesterday, one of Beverley's sons, a fairly tall gent named Rick wandered into the Gallery for a chat. We were in the middle of a conversation with David and Janet about one of Colin Southern's wonderful etched jarrah wall hangings. Given his height, I asked Rick to move another of Colin's hangings into the blank spot. Rick then joined in, suggesting that both of the wall hangings would be "just the ticket". David and Janet eventually departed with both of Colin's hangings and a wondrous photo by York artist Lee Francis. Rick, you are a star!

The missing spaces created by these sales led to a mini-reshuffle of some of our other pieces. Brian Aylward's breathtaking "Balanced Granite" is now in a much more visually pleasing location, Dorothee Geever's beautiful watercolour cards have been moved into more light, "Unhinged"'s angle has been changed so skinny people can get to both sides, the Gnomes are waiting to surprise our guests in various locations and we are delighted to welcome back Daryl Storer and his outstanding wood and resin pieces. Finally, the Gallery is once more swimming in oodles of scrunchies having been rescued by the colourful stitching of Lee Storer and Raine.ann Creations.

We are terribly sad by the impending closure of the Red Vault Cafe across the street from us. Owner and chef Debbie is exhausted and has needed to retire for quite some time. The Red Vault will cease to trade from next Sunday 15 September. Come on, people, there must be someone out there to buy this fabulous and inviting institution and keep the doors open. The sale is freehold, so a buyer receives the cafe, the building, the kitchen, the stock and room out the back for a caravan or tiny house until a larger establishment could be built in the future.

In the meantime, the East End Gallery will be offering beverages and cakes over the weekend to fill the breach. This will continue for as long as necessary. We would far prefer some enterprising individual, couple or family to stamp their own special touch on the Red Vault and enjoy reciprocal admiration and mutual good will with us. At the very least, visitors to Heavenly Beverley will be saved from my less-than-cordon-bleu-cooking. I strictly stick to the reliability of packet mixes!

At present, our Vincent Street neighbour and friend Jodie Edom Nolf is feeling rather under the weather, so her original and eclectic jewellery has now joined the Gallery for the time being. What has really given Jodie emotional support has been the endless loving messages from the Beverley community. We truly do live with caring and generous souls in this little town.

Back to more revelations of the East End Gallery. We have unpacked the entirety of Lily's ute and marvelled how much we crammed in, alongside the Bushman fridge and trundled all the way home. First of all, our latest fantastic fossicking collection was laid across Michael's work table so he could actually view every artifact. Then, he has begun placing the objects in his buckets and boxes and on his huge metal shelves.

Our "Delicates" have been put aside to prevent any further damage and their roles to be considered carefully for Michael's sculptures. He loves to highlight those pieces that have a special place in his heart and will surprise guests with the stories he weaves around them. For example, "Hooked" completed last summer, pays tribute to the blacksmiths and metal workers who were so integral to any settlement. The two blacksmith created items, the "hook" and the "eye", appear to float above the cast iron bottom. The recycled jarrah base finishes this deceptively simple, but incredibly tactile and beautiful artwork.

His head is currently swimming with ideas for sculpture after sculpture.His work table has to be clear for him to arrange his pieces that will form his latest work. He very rarely draws, preferring to play with the design until he is happy with the focus and path. 

Unless, he is deep into a difficult or intricate task, guests are always welcome to step back into time, among Michael's outstanding collection and to see him creating magic with metal. Please be understanding if he is unable to allow guests into his workspace.

The spring weather is just starting to show, with blue skies, scooting clouds and increasing warmth. This weekend promises to be mild and sunny, perfect for a drive up to Beverley. The canola is at its brilliant yellow peak, the wheat incredibly green and the sheep who have been shorn are very white indeed.

County Peak/Quajibin is still an achievable climb during this spring days, with magnificent views from the summit, including Yenyening Lakes, the closest salt lake system to Perth. A frolic on a white beach seems slightly incongruous with the surrounding canola and wheat fields.

The wildflowers, including orchids are popping up here there and everywhere. Brooking Street bushland and Poison Hill reserve definitely have had splendid reports of wildflowers and I believe Deep Pool is also blooming. 

Dead Finish Museum is open until its hiatus during summer on Sundays between 11am and 3pm. The Community markets are in full swing until December on the first Saturday morning of each month in the town hall. The Platform Theatre is beginning its programme of outdoor events. The Artist-in-Residence programme, co-ordinated by the enthusiastic and energetic Marylou Hutchinson of Beverley Station Arts, is currently booked out until the end of 2025. Drop in for a chat with the Artists-in-Residence and enjoy their work on display from Thursdays to Sundays 11am to 3pm. at the Station.

Mandy Evans continues her online and in person presence at her Art Garden or google mandyevansartist. Nex Dor, our garden gift shop and mini nursery continues to grow and delight locals and visitors most weekdays and Saturdays. "All Things" and the Beverley Op Shop have pre-loved treasures galore on Fridays and some Saturdays. "Lucky Find" the best frock shop in the Wheatbelt is back open on Saturday morning. Our post office, apart from being housed in a beautiful Federation building, also has gifts available, including our world famous "Beverley" pens. All these establishments are dotted along Vincent Street.

The Visitors Centre is open Monday-Friday, most Saturdays (rarely on Sundays) and is opposite the developing town square. When the Visitors Centre is closed or unable to open due to a lack of volunteers on Saturdays, we can provide visitors information all weekend, every weekend and on public holidays. I have lost track of the compliments I have received for my promotion of Beverley's tourism gems from inside the East End Gallery.

The pubs are open all weekend and the Bakery all week and on Saturdays. Sundays are their only days off. With the advent of the spring weather, sitting outside is a delightful option at any of these venues.

And don't forget to allocate plenty of time at the East End Gallery. We still have our touching plate and art table for kids. Some of the older kids and other big kids love spending time in Michael's workshop. We have comfortable seating and a library to peruse.

We also have two further events over the coming couple of months. We will be hosting a Sundowner on Saturday 21 September. You all know the drill -

• Sausage sizzle from around 5.30pm - all donations to St Mary's Anglican Church Beverley renovation
  
• Please bring a plate and bottle to share
• LIVE music from our fantastic bunch of volunteer musos until late
• If you have a voice or an instrument, please join us!

On Friday 29 November, we will be holding our second CELEBRATION for 2024. This is catered with a licensed bar from 5.30pk - 7pm. We will also have non-alcoholic options. 

Please RSVP by Friday 15 November for catering purposes. The entry cost will be $10 for entry, canapes and your first glass of wine or a non-alcoholic alternative. We hope you can join us to CELEBRATE our first decade of the East End Gallery and wish us well for an extraordinary future.

 

 

Pardon?!

 

 

Did the artist actually realise his work was rubbish?

 

 

 

"Big mistake. Huge"...

 

 

 

Please enjoy these images of our beloved East End Gallery -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat (Wind) And Dust...

There are not too many climatic events that can irritate us in our beloved Outback. As we are basically camping inside a tiny A-Liner with a roof and electricity, we are able to escape heat, cold and/or rain. However, in the "twilight" of our 2024 Great Escape, the addition of swirling red dust was a tad too much for our comfort and good humour.

The movie,"Heat and Dust", released in 1983, and based on the novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, followed two semi-related English women, experiencing India sixty years apart. Olivia travelled to India as a newly-wed in 1923, but after a scandal, was divorced by her husband. His granddaughter Anne, having read Olivia's letters to her sister Marcia, became fascinated, going to India to learn more of Olivia's story. Both engaged in affairs with Indian men. In Sitapur, they both fall pregnant. Olivia's was terminated and she ended up in hospital where all was revealed. Olivia eloped to Kashmir with her Indian lover, and he deserted her there in a house he bought for her.. She remained in the hill country for the rest of her life. Anne ultimately decided against an abortion, moving away from the heat and dust of Sitapur, to Kashmir, where she planned to have her child.

So, our heat, wind and dust was obviously not as trying as in India, but in a pretty small caravan that leaked like a sieve, we still found conditions rather difficult. The wind howled periodically in both Sandstone and Leonora, which was both unwelcome and uncomfortable. In addition, the temperature, whilst not officially over the top, added to the general feeling of dusty tackiness.

On our final morning in Leonora, the wind would not let up.  My shower was really a waste of time. Packing up was tiring and dirty. We hit the road to Kalgoorlie around half past ten, thoroughly sick of the flying dust. 

We arrived in Kalgoorlie somewhat relieved. Yes the wind was still ever present, but the dust was not as intense. Yesterday, I had my first haircut in over eight weeks. Utter bliss and many thanks to Direct Cut in Boulder. I went from sporting an exceedingly shaggy Monkees style to once more resembling a short, round woman with a reasonable coiffure.

And last evening, I met up with my legendary friend, Mizz Jo Russell, whom I have cherished and admired for many years. gives away both our ages... Anyway, Jo has wrangled the Kalgoorlie community into a force of positivity for her daughter Megan, who is autistic. She is expecting Megan to have a productive life and has set up a microenterprise for this purpose. She continues to advocate, engages in paid employment herself and having her older son Daniel still at home. Jo is the epitome of a super heroine. She has a fiery red head of hair and just needs a cape to complete the look.

We leave for home this morning. Surprisingly, I have really enjoyed our short stay in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, but I need to go home. . Maybe age is creeping in - I love our bed, bathroom and easy-care living space at Station House. And this trip has not been quite as relaxing as we'd hoped. Several catastrophes have marred the Great Escape, including my scalding burn five weeks ago, which is still healing.

I  will be back to the Gallery next Thursday. I am hoping a few good nights' sleeping in our bed restores my passion. 

Stay tuned!

 

 

Yes, there was wind...

 

 

 

 

 

Kalgoorlie haircut...

 

 

 

The spectacular Mizz Jo Russell ...

 

 

Need a haircut? Visit Direct Cut, Boulder...

 

 

Kalgoorlie Hotel - excellent pizza!

 

 

 

 

 

A Tale of Two Sisters...

We set off from Sandstone to our last stop on the Great Escape 2024. Leonora, a town of about fifteen hundred. The trip of around two hundred and forty kilometres took about four hours as we chose not to take the Agnew Loop.  We had previously travelled this route which had been narrow, dusty and extremely rough. So, instead, we continued to Leinster and turned south towards Leonora on the hardtop.

Arriving at Leonora Caravan Park, we discovered that expansion of donga accommodation had been significantly increased. Unfortunately, increased grass coverage had not been on the agenda, and as our stay continued, the dusty outdoors began to intrude into Will's interior. The glossy lustre of the Great Escape was beginning to wear a bit thin.

Even so, we loved our stay in the twin settlements of Leonora and Gwalia. Once more, we had received some confidential information about an old tip, which was duly visited with great fossicking enthusiasm over a couple of monumental days.

We also returned to Gwalia, which has never disappointed.  This is a town that has been revived for over a hundred years on numerous occasions. The mine officially closed for a final time in December 1963...except that didn't happen. The mine re-opened, was placed in mothballs and then re-opened once more. Fast forward to 2024, The Sons of Gwalia mine is now owned to Genesis, who are currently drilling about two kilometres underneath Hoover House, built as the mine manager's home in the late 1890s. Part of the Gwalia Museum, Hoover House is a stunning example of Goldfields' architecture, beautifully appointed and completely restored. For a very reasonable tariff, visitors may stay in one of the three renovated bedroom at Hoover House. Do yourselves a favour, immense yourself in an overnight stay at Hoover House and you will not be disappointed.

In hindsight, Leonora was perhaps a bridge too far. We had enjoyed a fairly restful trip, albeit with a few mishaps, right up until Marble Bar. Then, on our way south, we had crammed too many stops into the latter part of the Great Escape. Note to selves - we are too old for this number of kilometres in a fairly shot space of time.

So, Gwalia and Leonora were definitely not to blame for our less than exuberant mood. We had underestimated our stamina to be able to do as much as we had done n the past. These wonderful twin towns are so worth a visit to explore their unique history.

Want a splendid taste of the Goldfields? Head north from Kalgoorlie to Menzies, Kookynie, Leonora and Sandstone.

 

 

Road up the mine - Gwalia...

 

 

 

Signals at Sons of Gwalia mine...

 

 

 

Looking down the pit...

 

 

 

 

 

historic display...

 

 

The woodlines were vital to operations...

 

 

Sons of Gwalia mine... 

 

 

One happy camel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fossicking (with latest hat) at Leonora... 

 

 

The Pink Camp Gwalia...

 

 

Gwalia... 

 

 

Gwalia entry statement...

 

 

Loo in a boiler...

 

 

Leonora sunset....

 

 

Gwalia shops...