Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks and has been a popular destination for tourists since the late 1930s. It is also one of the most important indigenous sites in Australia. Previously known as Ayres Rock, Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs,waterholes, rock caves and rock paintings. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Situated in the heart of the Australian Outback Uluru stands 350 metres high, with most of its bulk lying underground, and has a total circumference of nearly 10 kilometres.
As Uluru has made media headlines over the years, from dingos stealing babies, tourists disrespecting the cultural significance of the sandstone monolith, and the number of heart attacks and falls that happen during the rock climb, for today let’s be reminded of what happens on those rare occasions when there is so much rain fall that waterfalls cascade down the surface of Uluru.
Australian singer/song writer, John Williamson, celebrated such an occurrence in his song, “It’s Raining On The Rock”. In 2011 Williamson said “it’s a song that probably means a lot to me because it’s about the heart of the country and I think the rock represents that. The ancient nature of the country that was here before any of us is the one thing that can draw us all together, putting religion, politics and race aside.”
The Seekers were an Australian musical group originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian pop music group (with a touch of folk) to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Essentially Australia’s first “supergroup” the band’s most popular configuration consisted of Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley with best selling songs including “Georgie Girl”, “I’ll Never Find Another You” and ” The Carnival Is Over.”
In 1967 The Seekers were named joint “Australians of the Year”. In 1995 the group was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. They were individually honoured as Officers of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of June 2014.
Sadly, we lost lead singer Judith Durham in 2022.
Have a listen to this: considered by many as an alternative National Anthem.
A friend has just reminded me that “Beauty And the Beast” is coming to Brisbane theatres.
I watched the Disney cartoon movie with 3 and a half year old Harry whilst in Canberra recently. He’s a big fan of Chip the teacup, and his mother informs me on the quiet that she has tickets for the two of them when the show travels south later in the year.
It is funny how history repeats itself, isn’t it?
When Pocahontas and Cat Balou were tiny tots I would take them on the obahn into Adelaide to watch the children’s pantos. The weekly program was titled ” An Alternative To Football” and we would spend most Saturdays boo-ing the Big Bad Wolf or cheering the Billy Goats Gruff.
When Pocahontas turned five her birthday treat was an outing to “Beauty And The Beast On Ice.” Her younger sister was too little and enjoyed a day at the Railway Museum instead.
It was this successful event which made theatre outings with both daughters regular events. Even after they had flown the nest we would meet up twice a year in different cities for ” girlie weekends” which would include a show, swanky dinner, champagne breakfast and an argumentative game of Scrabble.
So I’ve warned Harry’s mother that she is setting herself up for lifetime of poverty and to be prepared for a hand in her pocket for theatre tickets for evermore.
However, I feel my warning may be too late. Growing up surrounded by framed posters of Audrey Hepburn and already with his own collection of Errol Flynn movies, young Harrison already has a penchant for musicals. During my visit he was up every morning singing this one.
There’s more…..
When I was just a few years older than young Harry, many, many, moons ago, Friday night was a big deal in my family home. It was the end of the working week for Father Bear and meant the radiogram went on for an evening of music and my sister and I could share a 5cent bag of lollies. “Clinkers” were 3 for a cent as were Eucalyptus lollies. We thought we were spoiled rotten.
It was during my first Friday night down south that I learned that this is a ritual shared by my daughter and her family. Odd really, as her memory of her grandfather is confined to playing poker or how to place a bet with a bookie. Regardless, on Friday night in Canberra, the smart tv ( which I don’t know how to turn on) operates, pizza’s are delivered, and the music plays.
Harry tells me his favourite is the song from ” Maverick”. I thought Mel Gibson, he said Tom Cruise. I’ll have to jump on that.
Who stops at Gatton you ask? The administrative centre of the Lockyer Valley it is best known for its University specialising in Agriculture and Veterinary Science, as well as its location in South East Queensland’s “food bowl” and proximity to the climb up the range to leafy Toowoomba. If tourists do stop at Gatton it’s generally to purchase pumpkins and brassica.
Personally, I quite enjoy admiring farmland and fertile soil. There is just something about a John Deere tractor and a vibrant irrigation system that appeals.
The Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre overlooks Lake Apex Park and is a multifaceted venue that houses an Art Gallery, Transport Museum, Council Library, Tourist Information Centre and a spacious Cafe overlooking the lake. It is also strong on promoting the areas history with photographic portraits of local war heroes as well as residents who have become “legends” within the region.
The Council Library includes a Free Book Exchange for those travelling as well as a Seed Library which I thought a beaut idea.
With all the recent rain in SE Qld a walk around the parkland is well worth a stretch of the legs. In drought conditions it is decidedly unappealing.
Having previously spent several hours enjoying my fill of country music up on the range I was interested to discover during this walk the “Lights On The Hill” Memorial, which commemorates truck and coach drivers.
The (country) song of the same name won a Golden Guitar Award at the first Tamworth Country Music Festival in 1973 for Slim Dusty and describes a truckie driving at night with a heavy load being blinded by lights on the hill, hitting a pole, falling off the edge of a road and realising his impending death. Ahhhhh, country music……
I know, you’re going to think this makes me sound old and somewhat decrepit, but this week I attended a performance dedicated to the music of Doris Day. However, “A Sentimental Journey” carried the audience through a long and interesting history of music dating back to the mid 1930’s when Doris focused on singing with the big bands.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Berthold Auerbach
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I was the youngest in attendance. All good.
“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.” ― Sarah Dessen, Just Listen
Born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff in 1922, Doris performed in 39 movies and in her solo career recorded more than 650 recordings on the Columbia Records label. She performed two songs in films that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song “Secret Love” from Calamity Jane (1953) and “Que Sera, Sera” from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) and more importantly, in my book, inspired my eldest daughter’s Calamity Jane period, just before she moved on to her Audrey Hepburn phase as a teenager and into her early thirties. (That is, before children.)
“Music replays the past memories, awaken our forgotten worlds and make our minds travel.” ― Michael Bassey Johnson
So of course, I rushed home on a high to watch a fun little movie with Doris and the LOML, Errol Flynn, in “It’s A Great Feeling”. Only about three seconds of Errol though that was more than enough. Sigh. No murders, no car crashes, no bedroom scenes, no swearing – just light and fluffy.
I hadn’t realised that one of my favourite songs featured in a favourite Australian film from 1992, ” Strictly Ballroom”, was a Doris song – “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. ( for which I am unable to attach a link. Boo Hoo!)
And to leave you with an indication of Australian humour a movie Doris appeared in as a band singer with Kirk Douglas and Lauren Bacall named ” The Young Man With A Horn” had to be renamed when released in Australia as “The Young Man With A Trumpet”.
“Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of life.” ― Jean Paul Friedrich Richter
Next up, the musical history of David Bowie. I should be better acquainted with the words. Used to be my Go To at kareoke.
This long, hot summer humidity is totally draining and instead of fighting it I’ve opted to simply retreat with books and movies under the ceiling fans. Call me unsociable. I can live with that, unlike feeling so wet and slimy you feel your eyebrows are sliding off down your cheekbones.
Last week I watched a couple of flicks I hadn’t seen since a child, and then it was on the old HMV Black and White television that sat in the corner of a 2 bedroom bungalow in a little bush suburb of Sydney. “Zulu” was released in 1964 and featured a young, long haired (almost effeminate until 60 minutes in) Michael Caine. It tells the story of the British Army, amounting to some 100+ bodies, defending Rorke’s Drift against 4000 Zulu warriors. Think “The Alamo” in South Africa with lots of body paint and spears. Brutal, really brutal.
My movie watching friend had never heard of Rorke’s Drift and I feel after two glasses of wine I may have mumbled something scathing about the Australian education system.
Today I rewatched “Gallipoli” the 1981 released Australian movie which starred the delightful Mark Lee and a young, extremely beddable Mel Gibson. ( Still lookin’ damn fine too, Mel.) This movie garnered massive interest back in the day and encouraged Aussies to take a relook at the myth that was Gallipoli and subsequently all other theatres of war in which our country participated. Again, brutal. And once again, as it did forty odd years ago, the movie made me angry.
Watch the movie and you’ll discern the reason for my anger management issues.
Which reminded me of a night long, long ago before children at the infamous Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. A night with The Hunner’s, which is Ozspeak for “The Hunters and Collectors.” Great pub band.
My movie watching friend had no recollection of having seen “Gallipoli” previously.
I know. WHAT?
The good news is that “Zulu” and it’s successor “Zulu Dawn” are my son-in- law’s favourite movies. Yes! Something positive gained from the heat after all - a shared interest, though not sure death, war, armed combat would be in the Relationships Australia Guide Book.
It’s only two weeks until Christmas Day and December is performing the way it always does: 42 degrees C in Sydney, floods in Victoria, and North Queensland is facing a Category 3 Cyclone. Ho Ho Ho.
With all this, and the carnage of the past year across the world, I’m firmly ensconced in my bunker, surrounded by Frangipanis listening to Christmas music. And yes, you know it’s the Season when Hans Gruber falls off the Nakatomi Plaza.
So here are some Aussie Christmas Carols for your enjoyment. With the recent passing of Celtic frontman of The Pogues, Shane MacGowan , I haven’t heard Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, not even once. Yay!
If you have some time to spare I’ve also included a link to an award winning short movie with a Xmas theme made by our friends across the ditch in New Zealand, more commonly referred to as Enzed.
I’m surrendering – the white flag is waving in the wind. The ceiling fans are on, the bar fridge is chilling a plethora of goodies, and I have a pile of books to keep me occupied till the New Year.
But one last Hurrah for the year : am off to frock up for some Irish music this afternoon and to send off the poet from The Pogues. 🥂
Enjoy these special days and hold on tight to the joy………..
The first sculpture of an individual nurse or woman to be installed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial was recently unveiled. The sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel was undertaken by Charles Robb in recognition of her courage and military service.
Bullwinkel was the sole survivor of the 1942 Bangka Island Massacre where 22 nurses were gunned down by Imperial Japanese forces after their ship sunk while evacuating Singapore. After a round passed through her body, she laid in the water among her dead comrades until it was safe to make it back to the empty beach. Hiding for 12 days with an injured British soldier who later died, she decided the best option was to surrender to the Japanese, after which she spent more than three years in captivity.
“Lieutenant Colonel Bullwinkel is shown in a standing pose in working summer uniform, with her hands gently clasped, in a pose that reflects her dignified composure and unrelenting dedication to nursing principles of care. Emanating around her feet is a gentle watery surface inset with 22 stainless steel discs, representing the 22 women killed in the Banka Island Massacre. The discs are arranged as a reflection of the main stars that would have been visible in the night sky on 16 February 1942.” ( Courtesy of the AWM).
Recently I shared that I had read “The War Nurses” by Anthea Hodgson, historical fiction about the sinking of the Vyner Brook, from which Bullwinkel survived, and which I described as at least introducing a slice of history to a younger generation. The book evolved from the author chasing the history of a distant relative.
This month I read the recently published ” Sisters Under The Rising Sun” by Heather Morris also about the sinking of the Vyner Brook and the plight of the nurses. Morris previously authored “The Tattooist Of Auschwitz“, “Cilka’s Journey” and “Three Sisters” so I was hopeful this would be a good read.
Maybe this is a story that I’m too close to having been brought up with the stories of these courageous women since early childhood. Maybe it’s a *generational thing as I had the feeling the author assumed we were all totally ignorant, though at least this book attempted to spread the paint across the entire canvas, however thinly.
I’ve also just finished another recent release, “Back To Bangka” by Georgina Banks, another book chasing the history of a relative that died during the massacre.
Why so much interest of late in the sinking of the Vyner Brook? No idea.
This one started lamely including letters from the great aunt, a nurse in Singapore, to her family in Victoria. There was no outstanding news within, though it was interesting to revisit how that generation had a penchant for using family nicknames.
This author took another track, however, which proved both fascinating and frightening. Firstly, the author only discovered her connection to the war nurse at a family funeral from which her investigations led to her access to the letters dating back to the 1940’s. She followed this by researching the history books about what happened in the area where her great aunt died during WW2 culminating in a visit to Bangka Beach with other relatives and military figureheads in 2017 for the 75th Anniversary of the massacre.
The author, a psychologist, persisted researching the rumours that not only were the nurses walked into the water before being shot in the back, but were also raped ( and possibly tortured). Banks’ interviews with characters involved back in those days, including someone who was a boy of 8 before incarceration, are fascinating. She worked with historians on the trail to the truth and I have to admit it was good to read the results of the research without getting bogged down with all the documentation.
For a wee tear read the author’s description of the commemorative Walk for Humanity in 1975 at Bangka , which has since become an annual event.
Am I done with the Vyner Brook? Not on your life! And boy, is it good to get beyond reading fluff. That reading dry spell did not do me any favours.
Do you suffer from reading spells that you can only deal with stuff that goes in one ear and out the other?
*Talking Generational Thing: I enjoyed a Brass Band performance the other evening showcasing music from the British Isles. The Conductor, also an educator at the local university, explained as he was preparing the band for the theme of The Dambusters, that none of the students had heard of the “bouncing bomb”.
With very little decent television viewing available I’ve been watching Opera Australia’s “Gilbert And Sullivan Collection”on DVD. Have to admit I am more familiar with this music than that of The Beatles, with apologies to Sir Paul who is currently swanning around the neighbourhood.
Grew up on a steady diet of G & S, Mario Lanza, and Zorba The Greek. Depending on the company and the number of scoobies consumed there was also a lot of music from the war years, particularly duets with Vera Lynn.
It wasn’t until I fled the nest that my interest in musical theatre blossomed. It’s an interest that has cost me a small fortune and a poor parenting mistake was introducing the daughters to theatre from an early age. Think about it :
Cost of Tickets
“. Lunch or Dinner Out
” New Outfit ( possibly including new shoes)
“. Incidentals like haircuts and ice-creams
The kids were 5 and 6 years of age when they saw their first live musical : “The King And I” starring Hayley Mills in Adelaide over thirty years ago, whereas my first show was at 25! None of us will ever forget the crowd applauding The Frock!
Last night I sang along with Anthony Warlow as the Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzanze”. Apologies to the neighbours.
Warlow has always been a dreamboat. First time I ever saw him perform in “Guys And Dolls” I was 8 months pregnant with my first. He impressed me so much I was convinced if the child was a boy I would name him Obadiah, after Warlow’s character in the production. Boy, was the mother-in-law peeved. When Warlow played “The Phantom” I had one daughter in tears saying ” he was just misunderstood”, whilst the other thought ” he was on speed.”
So it’s not surprising that we’ve seen “Pirates” on stage on numerous occasions. At both the Sydney Opera House and with David Hobson in Brisbane and both different yet wonderful productions! My all time favourite performance starred raccoon-eyed rock singer Jon English in purple pants. Yep, the Pirate King in purple pants. So much fun and boy do I miss him……..Gone way too early.❤️
Warning to the neighbours : ” HMS Pinafore ” tonight and my Buttercup is akin to a cat at the vet’s – without anaesthetic.
It’s not been a fun week having being confined to sleepwear though I’ve been fortunate in having been able to reflect on some recent really top notch activities to retain some sanity.
“The Sunshine Club”, an Australian musical first performed in 1999, has a First Nations lad return to Brisbane from the battlefields of WWII filled with optimism and excited to start the next chapter of his life. All he wants to do is spend time with girl next door but in post war Brisbane it’s still frowned upon for black and white to be together. Filled with hope and defiance Frank sets up his own ballroom, The Sunshine Club, where anyone and everyone can come together to dance.
It was interesting to learn that playwright Wesley Enoch is a local having been born on North Stradbroke Island and educated in Brisbane. There was of course a subtle message along with a dusting of joy within this production and I look forward to exploring more of Enoch’s works.
“Concert By Candlelight” at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane City followed by a late supper was tremendous fun. Classical musicians using classical instruments to the music of Whitney Houston in a gothic setting with only candles for lighting. Thank goodness no pit stops were required because night blindness would have had me sinking into the murky depths of the Brisbane River.
Both events were classy, entertaining, and inexpensive. There is no excuse to sit at home just watching television. Believe me, you can do that when you’re feeling frail. I sat through a really bizarre movie yesterday, ” A Gunfight” starring Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash, to the background music of “Man In Black”. A philosophical cowboy movie with a fantasy sequence – yeah, couldn’t stop my head from shaking either- about two old gunslingers who sell tickets to their forthcoming shootout. Adding also that Kirk Douglas in long johns is a totally unappealing sight.
In other news, Weasel and Diesel are due to arrive on St Patrick’s Day. Boy, does this really irk eldest daughter Pocahontas who has a penchant for a bit of the old craic.
No wonder I’ve been feeling a tad fragile : only 6 months to learn how to knit, sew and do all those other grandmotherly duties. Not going to happen.
Brizzy Mays Books and Bruschetta 