The Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation. Melbourne may be the only city in the world that has a public holiday around a thoroughbred horse race. Since 1861, the city has stopped on the first Tuesday of November for this three-minute, 3,200 meter race. This year, 24 horses competed for the Cup and … Read more
Montsalvat is one of Melbourne’s most interesting treasures. It’s located in Eltham, thirty-five minutes from central Melbourne. Justus Jörgensen established Montsalvat in 1934 as an artist’s community on 12 acres of land. It is Australia’s oldest artists’ community and remains home to painters, sculptors, jewellery makers, textile artists, musicians, glassmakers, smiths, and ceramic artists. Some artists offer classes and workshops … Read more
Are you watching the 2012 London Olympics? I’ve mentioned before that I was never a sports fan until I met the AFL. Nevertheless, I faithfully tune into the Olympics and watch sporting competitions that I’d never watch otherwise such as archery, water polo, and women’s weightlifting, or even men’s weightlifting for that matter. I’ll even … Read more
I like gnomes. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m sure that in some parallel universe or past life, I was kitschy housewife with plastic pink flamingos on the lawn and garden gnomes in the backyard garden. While I don’t like these ornaments enough to actually own them in this life, I think garden gnomes are cute. Imagine … Read more
Robin Hardy returns to the silver screen with neither a remake nor a sequel to his 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man. Intended as a companion piece, The Wicker Tree explores the same themes, but with far less intrigue, shock, horror, or reason. The film opens in Texas where born-again country pop star Beth Boothby and … Read more
Did you know that Australia has more than 8,000 islands? Most people probably only think of the main continent and perhaps Tasmania. Some of Australia’s islands are just off the coast, in bays, and have small towns, shipyards, or are wildlife areas. Many are uninhabited. Let’s look at a few islands of Australia. Tasmania is the … Read more
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We aim to provide an inclusive service.