Heavenly Beverley : 2025

Friday, 26 December 2025

Finally Feeling That Christmas Vibe...

2025 wasn't supposed to be such a torridly challenging year. We entered January with such high hopes and great expectations. We were gradually worn down by circumstances often beyond our control. Beyond the middle of the year was coloured by my extreme side effects to Wegovy, a long and cold winter and a chronic storage of money. The ongoing crawl of the Subdivision eventually led to the collapse of Michael's mental health. As we approached the festive season, we were both exhausted from the relentless strains of the year.

Then, out of the blue, magic evolved. Family and friends rallied around us, offering love and support, practical suggestions and much needed help. Suddenly, a couple of days ago, I rediscovered the Spirit of Christmas.

So, in no particular order, I would like to mention some of the those people who have surrounded us with the love and support we were so desperately seeking.

Callum and Bron, along with Immy and Violet. Cal's weekly phone-calls never failed to lift me up. Bron is the anchor of their family and an amazing wife and mother. Their girls just add delight and happiness to our lives. We had a wonderful early Christmas with them, right here in Heavenly Beverley.
Alex, for being Alex.
Rebecca Buglass and Sue Martin who have taken on the East End Gallery as their own, alongside us, relieving me of much of the day-to-day running and for Bec taking on the 2026 Residencies and Studio Space. And Bec's husband Liam for his offers of assistance to revamp the Gallery.
Peter Ptschelinzew for his photographic endeavours in the East End Gallery, and for being one of the good guys.
Alan Pickering, for his mastery of Wordle, his Plein Air passion and his ongoing support of us, the Gallery and Beverley.
Mark Roser, for his spectacular dress sense, his stories of adventure, his artistic journey and his practical assistance.
Jan George, for being a wonderful artist, a fantastic friend and a fabulous presence in our lives.
James Rodereda, for his gentleness, his support, his skill as an impressive watercolour painter and for helping to heal Michael's soul.
Rhonda Baines-Taylor, who after the loss of her beloved KT, has also stepped up as a invaluable friend to Michael and me.
Mark and Tui Price, for their regular messages of friendship and support and providing us with fantastic paintings over many years.
Daryl and Lee Storer, for being wonderful friends and gifted artisans, never doubting us or the East End Gallery.
Narelle Higson, for being our very first Residency in late February 2026 and giving us hope for the future.
And finally, to all our friends and or/artists who have offered their support and I have forgotten to mention, know how much you all mean to us, now and into the future.

We are looking forward to 2026 with more optimism and hope. Unfortunately, the Subdivision will grind on for at least another twelve months, but we just have to survive that process. At the moment, we are just concentrating on taking one day at a time. We are so grateful for all the help we are receiving.

Thank you all.

Michael and Bron - 23 December 2025...

Callum - 23 December 2025...

Violet - 24 December 2025...

Imogen - 24 December 2025...

Alex - October 2025...

Rebecca Buglass...

Rhonda Baines-Taylor and Sue Martin...

James Rodereda and Jan George...

Alan Pickering...

Mark Price...

Mark Roser...

Narelle Higson...

Peter Pstchelinzew and partner Ann...

Daryl Storer...

And we will be back in 2026!

Sunday, 14 December 2025

OUR Proper Little Ladies

A "Proper Little Lady" is a wonderful children's picture book, written by Nette Hilton and illustrated by Cathy Wilcox,way back in 1990. The story has been credited with changing stereotypes, particularly concerning girls and how they play.

Annabella Jones decides, one morning, that today she will be a proper little lady and decides to wear her very best pale blue dress, her shiny, black shoes and a long gold chain.

"She turned this way and that.
Swish, swish, swish went the pale blue dress.
Tap, tap, tap went the shiny black shoes.
Chink, chink, chink went the long gold chain.
'There now', said Annabella.
My, smiled Mrs Jones as she pushed a toppling daisy back into place. ‘Don’t you look a proper little lady.’
‘Thank you,’ said Annabella in her most polite voice.
‘I certainly do.'"

Dressed in her very best, Annabella then joins in playing with her friends - rescuing cats, riding a billy cart, climbing trees and playing football, all whilst dressed in all her finery. By the time she arrives home...her dress is torn and floppy, her shoes are scuffed and the gold chain has broken...

Instead of receiving a scolding, which we are all expecting, instead her mother gently advises “It might be easier to be a proper little lady if you wear your jeans and your T-shirt and your sneakers next time.”

At our glorious granddaughter Imogen's sixth birthday party last Saturday, I was amusingly reminded of "A Proper Little Lady".

Just like Annabella, Immy was wearing a beautiful frock, resplendent with a particularly impressive bow. Nineteen of her friends joined her for a (mostly) joyous afternoon of play, food, cupcakes and pass-the-parcel.

Hinckley Park in Hocking was a marvellous location for the celebration of Immy turning six. Sculptures of sheep (?!) and grazing cows (?!) along with the more familiar kangaroos dotted the space. There was a single large undercover area next to one of the playgrounds which Callum, with our help, commandeered at about 2pm. There was a series of 'roadways', complete with signage and a 'Servo', which all the adults assumed would be very popular with the party attendees, who were all invited to bring along their scooters and bikes.

After a brief circuit of the 'roadways', all the children moved to the playgrounds, one of which was almost completely out of view from the covered seating area! Hence began a regime of attending parents watching their own offspring, along with others and I spent quite some time on 'Violet duty'. Violet, Immy's sister is a very pretty little two and a half year old with blonde hair and was wearing a pink dress that had been passed down through the ranks of her auntie and sister. She is also very determined and exceedingly fast on her push along bike. The hem of her dress came down early in the proceedings and she was also obsessed with 'sharing' Immy's camping chair, loudly declaring to all and sundry that it was her turn...Along with proudly showing off HER party dress as well.

As the afternoon progressed, shoes came off, outfits were covered in sand and sweat and carefully coiffed hair became a tad dishevelled. Sight of the afternoon was Immy commando crawling under a net off the ground, with her Velcro attached bow coming adrift in the process.

Needless to say, there were a few tears and the odd tantrum as the party proceeded. But, I haven't laughed so hard or had quite that amount of exercise chasing Violet over the course of about ninety minutes. Being Nanny Kate is full of these fabulous occasions that allow me to enjoy our grandies without any angst.

And being thrilled that neither Immy nor Violet are entirely 'Proper Little Ladies'!

The birthday girl, complete with bow...

On 'Violet duty' complete with fallen hem...

Being the parents of the birthday girl was not entirely stress free!

Uncle Alex and Grandpa Michael at the party...

The 'roadways' at Hinckley Park...were mostly ignored!

Sheep...?

And cow statues in a suburban park, which much to my surprise, was named after a prominent early farmer, Herbert Hocking. Well slap my face with a wet fish!

Friday, 12 December 2025

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas From The East End Gallery...

In 2026, the East End Gallery will return to basics, to support and promote Wheatbelt artists as our primary purpose. We also have ongoing relationships with other artists who have connections with us and the Wheatbelt and have proven their salability, so they are also remaining, given their track record.

So, we have hatched a cunning plan for the future of the East End Gallery. We feel we have lost the intimacy that we loved in the early days of the East End Gallery. Time to get that sense back! The East End Gallery will move into the eastern side of the Forbes Building and still provide 90 square metres of amazing art space.

Bec, our wonderful jeweller, silversmith, metal artisan, abstract artist and irreplaceable addition to the East End Gallery will be moving her studio into the south western side of the new look Gallery. I will be moving my desk to the south eastern side. Marion will remain in her current artist's studio, continuing to create wonderful paintings, fantastic sculptures and running her art classes. For anybody who would like to explore and improve their skills in every painting media, Marion is the go-to art teacher.

Michael is remaining in his studio and workshop behind the Gallery. He will continue as a story teller in metal, an innovative and exceptionally skilled sculptor, whose works emanate from his soul. During 2025, he entered and won accolades in both the York and Northam Art Awards. The York Art and Craft Awards were probably the most satisfying - named Avon Valley Artist for 2025. The look on his face at the announcement of this achievement will stay with me forever!

Our plans for the remainder of the space? After a great deal of discussion with other artists and much thought, we have decided to establish (drum roll please) -

The East End Gallery Artists' Residencies and Studio Space - starting from this coming March!

March 2026 - BOOKED

April 2026 - BOOKED

July 2026 - BOOKED

Our Residencies will work as 2 weeks each month available for artists in March, April, May, October, November and December 2026. We are also offering a 12 week Residency from 15 June to 7 September, or artists each having a 6 week Residency.

March 2026 - BOOKED

April 2026 - BOOKED

July 2026 - BOOKED

Our 2 week Residency package includes extremely pleasant accommodation in our guest suite at our home directly behind the East End Gallery, featuring a queen sized bedroom with quality linen, reverse cycle airconditioning, a dining nook, own bathroom, kitchenette, courtyard, entry and carport.

The Residencies are self-catering. Artists will have access to a washing machine, indoor and outdoor lines.

Every artist participating in our Residencies will have the opportunity to interact with our other artists on site at the Gallery, display and sell their artworks, hold workshops or demonstrations as they see fit, engage with the Beverley community and have a comfortable space to explore and undertake their personal projects.

All our artists will have access to the communal tea and coffee space at the rear of the studio, which includes a sink, all beverage making items and a communal table and seating.

March 2026 - BOOKED

April 2026 - BOOKED

July 2026 - BOOKED

A current Police Clearance, 2 referees and a CV is all we require to secure a Residency position. We welcome artists at any stage of their journey - from novices to established.

The package for our Residencies will be $250 per week for our guest suite and large studio space in the Forbes Building. The studio space is approximately 10 x 4 metres and including hanging rails to display your own art pieces.

Inquiries for our Residencies are open as of now. The closing date for 2026 Residencies is currently 31 January 2026. This closing date is subject to change, depending on interest. A deposit of $125 (non refundable is you cancel) is required to hold our artisans' choice of dates, studio space and specific accommodation for the 2 week Residencies.

March 2026 - BOOKED

April 2026 - BOOKED

July 2026 - BOOKED

We will also establish a waiting list for artists in case of a cancellation.

For more information, please contact - Rebecca Buglass - on 0422 433 434 or by emailing - becca124@hotmail.com

Whilst we are renovating the Studio Space and the East End Gallery, artists may make an appointment to visit and view the Studio Space throughout January 2026.

We look forward to meeting you all!

The East End Gallery - December 2025 -