The Artist's Cat

20/08/2024

Another wonderful event by Cordelia's Potted Operas - at Buninyong Uniting Church. Sunday 25 August at 2pm.

18/08/2024

Had fun some time back performing with The Buninyong Players at Newstead Arts Hub. Just got some pics. Some before the concert - running through pieces. It was a lovely audience to play for.

09/08/2024

Does anyone know the date of the birth and death of Bruce Keck, music teacher at Ballarat High School, & perhaps Ballarat High. Conductor of the Choral Society, etc.

08/08/2024

Don’t miss Titus Andronicus. A thoroughly disturbing and dark experience. The Dark Bard has taken on Shakespeare’s most difficult play - it’s rarely performed - & offer a unique experience. Only 2 more shows - 8pm Frid & Sat in the Crypt, Camp St. Wonderful venue for it. Two intervals, with mulled wine etc help make a surpringly enjoyable night out! The Bard in Buninyong

06/08/2024

Listen to Voice FM 99.9FM tomorrow for "Arts Incite" with guests John Morris from the Rock n Rollers at 9am and around 9.30am, actor Robert Kelty, from the Dark Bard ( The Bard in Buninyong) talking about Shakespeare's earliest and definitely darkest plays (Titus Andronicus) - on at The Crypt Thurs - Sat.

19/07/2024

I see that it's time again to submit for TABI (The Art of Botanical Illustration), organised by Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens. A reminder that TABI 2024 registrations close next week - Friday 26 July.

To submit your artworks for TABI 2024 please visit the TABI 2024 page on the Friends web page, https://www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org/friends-art-program/tabi-2024/, or find the information below.

16/07/2024

Lindsay - BAA's President is my in-the-studio guest on "Arts Incite!", Voice FM 99.9 tomorrow, Wednesday. But before that, soon after 9am, I'll play some more of the recordings taken at Ray Woolard's "Day for Ray", 30 June at Art Gallery of Ballarat. Alec Cimera, Geoff Bonney & Paul E. Mason all had interesting angles on the life and work of the rather enigmatic Ray Woolard. Also a few words from Willemina Foeken , the WA artist who designed The Buninyong Players logo design. (Concert at the wonderful Newstead Arts Hub on Sunday, 2.30pm. Bar open from 2pm).

07/07/2024

The Buninyong Players are working hard for their latest gig - a Medieval to Modern concert at Newstead Arts Hub. Join us on Sunday 21 July at 2.30pm. Drinks from the bar from 2pm & during interval.

04/07/2024

The Ray Day gathering at Ballarat Art Gallery on Sunday was quite moving. I'm sure I wasn't the only person to think myself lucky to have such a community of good friends, that I'm unlikely to die without anyone even knowing! Ray Woolard deserves more information about him online. I've started a Wikipedia page for him and am gleaning information from whatever sources I can find. Feel free to directly edit it or send me information. I'm particularly seeking dates and names of exhibitions he was in, collections, images of his artwork etc. Here's the link -

Ray Woolard (1951–2023) was an Australian artist from Ballarat, well known and much celebrated in the 1970s and 80s for his sculpture in steel, multi media and found objects, installations and paintings.

04/07/2024

This gives an idea of what our newly extended and refurbished Library will be like -

03/07/2024

It's amazing how many 'urban myths' I'm hearing about EVs and their suitability for Australian conditions. Someone shared this post. PS The main thing about owning an EV is that they are FABULOUS to drive!!

There's still one key thing missing from the country's EV transition. But one Aussie couple is proof that it shouldn't hold you back.

02/07/2024

Tomorrow's Arts Incite, Voice FM 99.9, talks first to Richard Chew, Head of Performing Arts, Federation University. He's also an interesting composer, performer in his own right, but I'm also hoping to hear about the wonderful student's upcoming productions. Then Irina de Loche talks about Simon Lewis' concert, HYPNOS at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre Saturday 7.30pm. Unfortunately I have to end the show a little earlier for a performance of my own with The Buninyong Players. Join me at the concert on Sat?!

Sat Jul 06 2024 at 07:30 pm, ABOUT Musician, recording artist and producer Simon Lewis plays music from his new neo-classical/ambient, piano based album, HYPNOS which was released in April 2024. Simon will be joined by his daughter Calista on violin and vocals, and his son Lazarus o

25/06/2024

Apologies for no Arts Insight on Voice FM Wednesday. COVID unfortunately. The week after its head of Fed Uni Performing Arts. Looking forward to that.

15/06/2024

Visit Castlemaine Art Museum today to see the excellent collection & exhibitions (open from 12pm). And at 4pm James McArdle is talking about the influence of the Prahran CAE in the 70s where photography was taught as an art form. Dr McArdle is an an expert in all things photography & an engaging speaker. He’s also one of The Prahran Legacy Alumni.

04/06/2024

Arts Incite! on Voice FM 99.9FM, Wednesday - 9am: David MacPhail from Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees talks about an exhibition, a film and a book launch, while at 9.30am Stuart Kelly, from Ballarat Heritage Watch discusses pros and cons of the new plans for Ballarat Station.

Check out the pictures here.

01/06/2024

With at least one friend seriously ill at present, just thought I'd remind that we all need to be vigilant & thoughtful. Please don't go out if you're feeling unwell, & DON'T COUGH ON ME! (amazing how many do this)etc. This article contains news to me - that there's now a RAT that tests for COVID as well as flu.

People becoming sick with COVID-19 and the flu at the same time cause problems in the northern winter. Is it happening in Australia?

28/05/2024

Melinda Muscat is my guest on "Arts Incite", Voice FM (99.9FM) Wednesday at 9am. Like last week's guest, Deborah Klein, her work will feature in the illuminations of next weekend's "White Night. Then a interview with Colin Abbott, recorded at his 'Anzac Days' exhibition at Magnet Galleries. Colin is one of the photographers involved with The Prahran Legacy project (at MAPh - Museum of Australian Photography next year.

14/05/2024

Tomorrow morning on Voice FM, Arts Incite has Helen Duggan (Musical Director of Ballarat Choral Society) as 'live' guest, then more of the wonderful, creative people & organisations that inhabit Barkly Square.

13/05/2024

Peter Leiss - one of the Prahran CAE photography 70s students shared this photo of an assignment ("Family") of those days. His major task at the moment is recording interviews with some of the influential & famous photographers. See his short films on Prahran Legacy Alumni, and get in touch if you know any of these people, or others who attended Prahran in the 70s. MAPh - Museum of Australian Photography shows the exhibition next year.

28/04/2024

Another lively opening today Magnet Docklands, The District. Colin Abbott ‘s engrossing photos - Anzac Days. As always, lots of photographers attended, taking photos of each other of course!

16/04/2024

Peter Freund, Vox baritone, is my 'live' guest tomorrow on "Arts Incite!", Voice FM (99.9FM) at 9am. Then around 9.30am I'm playing interviews with the wonderful people at CresFest, including Michael from The Spooky Men's Chorale, Megan from Ballan Community Street Band, and opera singer Isaac Burgess. And of course playing some of their music.

11/04/2024

I've had a great time in Castlemaine and Maryborough. The highlight - at Castlemaine Art Museum - was Julie Millowick's beautiful study of the quite harsh environment of Fyerstown as it slowly regenerates from years of mining. Elegantly displayed in this really lovely Art Deco, heritage listed building - & one of the few to collect only Australian art.

19/03/2024

Listen in to Voice FM 99.9, tomorrow to "Arts Incite" every Wednesday 9-10am. Peter Pilven - great ceramicist and teacher, followed by Deb Lowan-Clarke - one of the presenters in the latest "Lifting the Lid". See Pete's work at Gallery 10 's latest exhibition. Below the enterprising and creative director, Linda Franklin.

18/03/2024

Do you remember Ray Woolard? He was particularly active in Ballarat in the 70s and 80s, and so was included in this exhibition at Art Gallery of Ballarat. His work is in the collection too. I took this photo for then Director of the Gallery, Ron Radford. Ray is 4th from the left.

17/03/2024

The U3A Ballarat History of Buninyong class spent a marvelous morning visiting early settlers sites. Highlights were the Innes' - Cairney Hill - and Scott's - Boninyong - homesteads. Thanks so much to Celia and Graeme, and Amanda for allowing us to see their beautiful gardens and homes.

05/03/2024

Listen in to Arts Incite! tomorrow - Voice FM 99.9 FM. Guests are Ruby Pilven - wonderful ceramicist, & director of Ross Creek Gallery, followed by Carolyn Bennett, Volunteer Coordinator and Development at Royal South Street Society. Every Wednesday 9 - 10am.

And to give a heads up for the next week, 13 March, Marcus Alvarado and the art of hair, then Anthony Camm, Director of the Eureka Centre Ballarat.

20/02/2024

And on Wednesday 21 Feb, Barry Wemyss will talk about the Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta (& perhaps a little about his own ceramic work), then a chat with cinema enthusiast Bryan Putt about all things film.

20/02/2024

Arts Incite! on Wednesday 20 Feb, 9 - 10am. Special guests - Barry Wemyss talking about the Smythesdale Arts & Music Fiesta, Sunday 3 March 10 - 3pm. Then Bryan Putt, about one of his passions - cinema.

03/02/2024

Don't miss "Music in the Chamber" - a series of concerts and talks in the lovely Uniting Church, Buninyong. Artists performing. The first this year - Hedley Thomson, actor & Henry Lawson aficionado, Buninyong Players - recorder quintet, and Skedaddle - Celtic folk group. Sunday 11 February, 4 - 6pm.

09/05/2022

Very flattered to be asked to launch Geoffrey Robert D'Ombrain 's latest books, "Clear is the Water" & "Somewhere in the Middle". Geoffrey is a musicican, composer and art educator, who has also published 3 large books of children's opera with full scores and libretto. Thursday 26 May, 6pm at Old Colonists' Club Ballarat . Geoffrey promises some of his marvelous dips and pates, as well as music to accompany the stories. Everyone is welcome.