Wednesday 6 November 2024

East End Examiner Issue 4 - 6 November 2024


Welcome to the 5th issue of the East End Examiner. My journalist skills are once more being put to the test!


The East End Examiner supports endeavours occurring in Beverley every week, also with York and Brookton.


Have an artistic, tourism, holistic, philanthropic or performance enterprise to promote? Need volunteers for a not-for-profit or community organisation? Have a challenge or problem that needs solving, preferably through consensus?


Advertising of news, issues and events is FREE OF CHARGE in the Examiner.


Please send details of your enterprise, news or events to thewifofsif@gmail.com or if you wish to receive this weekly tome!

  • The East End Gallery will be OPEN this Friday for late night trading until 7pm.

  • The Beverley Community Garden is open Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Tomato plants are $2 each..

  • Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held at St Mary’s Church Beverley on Sunday 10 November at 10.30am. All welcome.

  • The Beverley Agricultural Machinery Museum will be OPEN this Saturday 9 November at Avondale Farm between 9am and 3pm. This is the final opening for 2024.

  • Please get behind Sharon Williams’ Change,org petition to SAVE the Brookton Railway Station or join their Friends of the Brookton Railway Station on Facebook.

  • Jive Rock ‘n’ Roll contines at the RSL Hall on Fridays from 7pm.

  • The fabulous DEAD FINISH Museum continues to open on Sundays until the end of November.

  • CWA Community Morning Tea on Wednesday 13 November. FREE of charge.

  • Ms Jodie Edom Nolf’s Beverley Meditation Group continues every Tuesday from 7 pm, located at Shop 2, 116 Vincent Street.

  • To contact Jodie, please call her on 0415 369 405.

  • Jodie is expanding her horizons, launching the Vincent Street Emporium. Drop in for a look-see!

  • Studio 116 and East End Gallery’s raffle continues until 29 November. To check out the prizes and get your ticket (only 100 will be issued) please call into 116 Vincent Street.

  • Please welcome the current Artist-in-Residence, Fenella Dexheimer, who arrived on 4 November and is at the Station until 2 December..

  • Beverley Station Arts is open Thursdays-Sundays 11am – 3pm.

  • Voice of the Avon” 101.3 FM, based in York, is seeking volunteers, including presenters. Want to be a radio star? Become a volunteer of your radio stationVoice of the Avon 101.3FM!
    Connect with like minded people on air and in person and become one of the family.

  • We have a range of volunteer opportunities. Maintaining the station, connecting with sponsors, to presenting on air!


    Our volunteers keep 101.3FM on the air providing a vital service to our community of approximately 77,000 people and an innumerable number of people online via Radio Garden.


    The Voice of the Avon 101.3FM radio station broadcasts to the whole of the Avon Region whichincludes Toodyay, Northam, York, Beverley, Quairading, Meckering, Tammin, Cunderdin,
    Brookton, Pingelly, Bakers Hill, Goomalling, Clackline
    and Wongan Hills.

     
    Become a volunteer today! Contactradio6ycr.committee@hotmail.com for more information! We would love to hear from you!







Hurtling Towards Our Celebration...

Maybe time flying is a geriatric phenomenon. When I was a child, I would count the weeks until the next school holidays, which was always agonisingly slow. I loved the learning part of school, but I was the butt of bullies and longed for the relative peace of aloneness three times a year. Then came other periods when I longed for time to fly - waiting for pregnancies to be over, waiting for winter to end, waiting for our building's subdivision to be completed, waiting for medical appointments or pathology results. However, as I have been increasingly ag-ed, these episodes of slow time are becoming fewer and fewer.

Which is really the point of this post. Ten years ago, after much blood, sweat and tears (!), we had renovated enough of the Forbes Building to tentatively edge towards opening...a gallery...We had already decided on a name - East End Gallery - but as we procrastinated and farnarkelled (stalling for time!), a friend and mentor took us Firmly By Hand and demanded we set a date.

Tim Burns, a true eccentric and Murray Cook, a true gentleman, are both artists and were living around York in 2014. Murray still is but I actually have no idea of Tim's location at present. Anyway, Tim announced we would open the East End Gallery and find as many local artists as we could to fill the space. He promised to bring "the crowd up from Fremantle" with extra artworks. Michael's pristine and just finished in the nick of time studio and workshop would serve as a venue for eating, drinking and convivial conversation. We set up a string of trestle tables with mismatching chairs along with a BBQ, a wading pool and Tim's enormous three panelled painting of his property for added drama.

And thus on 19 December 2014, the East End Gallery was born. We were elated, exhausted and overwhelmed all at once. Our building was overflowing with creative souls. My first sale was a chaotic affair as I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing.  Tom de Munk-Kurkmeer pointed out that the Gallery was the entity that was responsible for the commission, rather than the purchaser! I was so bloody green...A thousand pardons, Tom.

Over the next eighteen months, Michael wrangled the rest of the Forbes Building into her current condition. With the help of his XO Gary Schouten, a great deal of colourful language and plenty of hard slog, we were able to extend the Gallery's space to 150 square metres. Finally, in March 2016, Michael declared he's had enough.

Michael's own artistic journey stuttered and stalled from time to time. His own body needed significant renovation due to wear and tear, his collection was haphazardly organised and he lost his mojo on several lengthy occasions. Summoning courage to push his boundaries again and again, Michael has surged into probably the most creative period of his life. Each of his sculptures is showing his progression in skill, technique and imagination. I might add that I have somewhat improved in my role as Front-of-House too...

And we have continued to grow and grow and grow...From our fledgling  wobbles, we now have in excess of 100 artists. We are also so fortunate to have two outstanding artists join us permanently. Rebecca Buglass and her Mum Marion Luck have established Studio 116 within the East End Gallery. Bec is an exquisite jeweller, designer and silversmith and metal creator. Marion is a long-standing painter who is also an experienced teacher and facilitator. Marion's Mum, Lindle, makes intricate earrings and Bec's daughter Ruby is a talented photographer (at 13 years of age). That makes four generations of incredible women all within the East End Gallery. How lucky are we?!

Which finally brings me to our CELEBRATION, to be held on Friday 29 November between 7pm - 9pm. This will be a catered affair with a licensed bar. In addition, there will be a non-alcoholic punch and mineral water. The food will be served on a grazing table with gluten-free and lactose-free items (if required). The entry cost is $10 per person and will entitle you to an initial glass of wine, glass of punch, unlimited mineral water and the grazing table. 

RSVP is required by FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER. Please let us know NUMBERS AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS BY 22 NOVEMBER.  

Attendees can let us know through calling Kate on 0414 255 781, through Facebook or by emailing us at - thewifofsif@gmail.com

Above all else, we want our artists to be honoured on 29 November. That means we want our artists to receive remuneration for their spirit, their bravery, their passion and their stories. We have been supporting and promoting our artists for ten years. All of them have a connection to the Wheatbelt, a connection to us, or both.

We have had artists come and go over the last decade. However, a large percentage of our artists have hung in with us, year in, year in. As far as we are aware, there is no other Wheatbelt gallery that has a similar number of artists. Who also support us. 

So, we should not be surprised that the East End Gallery continues to thrive. Maybe not as financially secure  as we would like, but orchestrating our Gallery has never been about the money. Michael, as an award wining sculptor, has always been about the initial idea, the story and the quest. He prides himself on striving for the excellence of his craft, for exquisite detail and for the joy of history that his sculptures portray.

We are looking forward to 2025 and beyond with delighted anticipation. We know we are here to stay for the duration. Join us in this journey, become one of our artists, a guest or supporter, promote the East End Gallery and support our mission by becoming an owner of one of our original artworks.

Thank you.

 
Farm Track - Claudia Woeltjes...

 
Into the Wind - Tich Dixon...

Paintings, cards, glass, eco-printing, pottery and wood...

 
3-D artworks, photography, wood, schist and drawing...

 
Nightwatch - Carollyn Rhodes-Thompson... 

 
Standing Leaf - Laura Probert...

 
Ant and Kittycat - Cam Eggers...

 
Jan George - ewe...
 

Christmas Tree - Cam Eggers with Roberto the artist meerkat...
 
 
Metal art, keyrings, cards, paintings and necklace sets...

 
Earrings and mosaics with felt pods...
 
 
Club chairs with art!

 
Cubes of art...

 
A jalopy, pottery, glass and our Christmas table...

 
Contemplation - John Firth...

 
Earrings - Irene Perry 
Earrings - Daisy Bear
Cards - Alis Starink
Cards - Di Mainwaring

 
Gone Potty's golden mugs

 
Christmas cheer!

 
Cards, a lamp, potty and recycled material...
 
 
Where's George - Sharon Williams...

 
Prints of country, prints of cities... 

 
Michael Sofoulis - Unhinged...

 
More cubes...

 
Some rather grim nursery rhymes - Kerry Scally...

 
Rebecca Buglass...

 
Len Zuks - Bird in Flight... 

 
Lindle's earrings...
 
 
Ruby's photograph...
 

 Marion's paintings...

 
Jane Gates - Jack's Wheatbelt Beans...

 
Ian Kay - Sydney Heads
Daryl Storer - wood-turning...
 
 
Death in Paradise - John Firth
Harry the gecko - Jan George

 
Up Hill, Down Dale - Gracie Courtney
Horse and cart - Doug Whiting

 
Magda is back for a limited time only!

 
 
 



 

 





Tuesday 5 November 2024

On Any Given Sunday...

There is a weird little belief floating throughout the air in Heavenly Beverley that nobody comes to town on Sundays. That odd conclusion has been given as a bona-fide reason why the Beverley Visitors Centre does not open on any given Sunday. As a broad generalisation, one might be of that view, as some Sundays (in the height of summer or the depths of winter) may be a tad slow. With locals anyway.

The Beverley Visitors' Centre is a charming location to begin a tour of town on any day other than Sunday. The building is quite lovely, mirroring the Art Deco town hall opposite. The gardens are getting some attention after looking a bit tatty over winter and early spring. The displays are informative, the brochures are helpful and there are some Beverley oriented gift lines. However the Centre is not the be-all and end-all of places to obtain the fascinating history, the rich stories and the surprising attractions that abound in Beverley and her surrounds.

Sundays are often a hive of activity in Beverley. Take the most recent Sunday, for example. A large contingent from Lotus Cars Perth drove up for a splendid Sunday lunch at the Freemasons Tavern. Glorious Lotus vehicles of all colours lined Vincent Street. The hospitality and meal offered by Graeme, John and the crew at the Tavern was absolutely outstanding. 

Other patrons duly arrived for lunch as well. Carlo and Sue, the former chefs at the Freemasons', were the epitome of cool on their fabulous Harley Davidson. Think a luxurious lounge on wheels to get a picture. Chris, the genial organiser of the Lotus Perth trip, was most impressed with the East End Gallery, which led to a continuous stream of guests in and out our doors. Jodie in her Vincent Street Emporium was also visited by the Lotus bunch, which caused them all to declare that a return outing would be on the cards very shortly.

The previous Sunday, that Dynamic Duo of Carole and Jean, Artists in Residence from Nannup, enjoyed an outstanding final day of their Residency. They were inundated with enthusiastic visitors, making their packing up somewhat less arduous. We all benefitted from each other, demonstrating that, if venues are open, they will come. 

The Caravan Park and RV site continue to be well patronised. We have taken to sitting in front of the Gallery in the early evening and always have visitors stopping to chat. Our tourism information stand is well stocked and eagerly sought after for activities in and around Beverley. We are also in the position to chat to Rodney, that legend of Beverley's past, John Islip, Man-about-Town and other locals who love the opportunity to share their stories with us.

Whilst waiting for the Red Vault to begin again, the Bakery and the pubs offer our tourists a variety of places to eat. Plus, the Beverley Dome Roadhouse, has just opened under New Management. Michael visited today, noticing the cleanliness and friendliness of the Dome Roadhouse and they have big plans. What an excellent addition to our town and I hope locals and travellers get behind them.

Sundays are looking up even more in Heavenly Beverley. Although the Dead Finish Museum will close soon for its summer hiatus, the building and the gardens are definitely worth a visit. Barry Ferguson is still following his passion of his Machinery collection on Hunt Road and open to the public every weekend. We have a brand new Artist-in-Residence at the Station - Fenella Dexheimer - for the entirety of November. Jodie's Vincent Street Emporium is open 10am - 2pm. Cool mornings and evenings are perfect times for a hike up Quajabin or a stroll on the beach at Yenyening Lakes. Thinking about a glider flight? Just do it.

In the East End Gallery, we are approaching our November 29 Celebration with great excitement. Who would have thought that two escapees from the Big Smoke - us- could achieve our dream of our Gallery in Heavenly Beverley.

And in my best Mae West impersonation - "Come up and see me sometime"! 

 
Mister John Islip, the coolest of cool on his preferred mode of transport...
 
 
Lotuses to the left of me...

 
Lotuses to the right of me...

 
Lotuses all around me!
 
 
A very happy pair of Lotus Cars Perth drivers outside the Tavern. Not a Lotus behind them...
 

 
Sue, Carlo and friend at lunch in the Tavern...
 
 
The Visitors Centre

 
The Hotel Beverley


 The Station...
 

The Art Deco town Hall...


Our museum...

 
Up, up and away...
 
 
Yenyening Lakes - night photography
 

 Vintage Machinery Collection...

 

Yenyening Lakes from the summit of Quajabin
 
 
Magda is back - limited time only!