Wildflower Walk

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Healthy living art award now open

Media Statement                     

 

The Ravensthorpe Health Service is holding an art competition in the lead up to its Open Day on 16 September 2015.

All school children from the Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun area are encouraged to enter the competition using the theme ‘Healthy Living’ as inspiration. 

Local Operations Manager Ruth York said artworks showing how local community members can lead healthy lives were welcome.

“Students are asked to create their artwork on A4 paper by Friday 11 September 2015 and leave at their school for collection. Home schooled students can drop off their artworks at the hospital reception area,” Ms York said. 

“There will be a minimum of two prizes for winners from each school.

“Ask your family and friends to come along to the Open Day from 10am to 2pm and vote for your artwork. 

“The People’s Choice Award will be voted by visitors to the health service Open Day on 16 September 2015 so it is an excellent opportunity to also have a look at how the health service operates.”

The Shire of Ravensthorpe Award will be selected by a shire representative during the Open Day.

“We encourage all young people from the area to get out their pencils and paint and start creating their healthy masterpieces.”

For more information contact Arnie de Haas on 9838 2211 or email Arnie.deHaas@health.wa.gov.au

Media Contact:

Arnie de Haas on 9838 2211 or email Arnie.deHaas@health.wa.gov.au

A MAGICAL EVENING OF OPERA

A small number of Hopetoun residents travelled to Esperance by bus recently to attend Opera Australia’s performance of Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’.  The bus was made available free through the generosity of the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council. Jan and John Fields volunteered as drivers. Passengers were vocal in their appreciation of this generous joint effort which enabled them to enjoy a high quality performance not always available to small regional towns.

On national tour, the company adapted the Magic Flute to an Egyptian temple setting. The set design and costuming gave an authenticity to this choice and enhanced the performance. Of particular note was Regina Daniel’s role as Queen of the Night. Her breathtaking ability to maintain purity of sound while reaching the highest notes in opera was enthusiastically applauded by all. Nicholas Jones’ engaging characterisation of the comedy role of Tamino caused ripples of laughter, especially when he engaged with the ladies group played by Anna Yun Emma Casteller and Hannah Dahlenburg.

As is the practice of Opera Australia, a local group of singers, including schoolchildren, were given the opportunity to be a part of the performance. One of the schoolgirls was ex-Hopetoun student, Abbey Berryman. The orchestra was professionally conducted by Paul Fitzsimon. The orchestra pit was clearly visible to the audience and so, on various occasions, eyes were drawn to the skills of the different musicians.

 Adding to the enjoyment of the outing was the sharing of a delicious pre-ordered Banquet at the Golden Oriental As a result, the group arrived at the Civic Centre in great spirit to be met by Ross Becket, the Civic Centre Manager, who had alerted our group to this wonderful opportunity and given us the special discount ticket price. Hopefully there will be future opportunities for similar theatre outings. 

Fay O’Brien   

The Magic Fluters

 

 

   

The Lost WW1 Diary and Welsh Whales in Jerdacuttup

Despite half the Shire involved in sporting Grand Finals, Saturday 29^th August saw the Jerdacuttup hall filled to almost capacity with tables of eager audience there to see the talented Damian Callinan perform the Lost WW1 Diary, a one man show created and performed by Callinan, and directed by Tim Overton.  They were not disappointed!

The Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council (RRAC) presented this touring Country Arts WA and Act-Belong-Commit show in collaboration with the Jerdacuttup Community Association; responsible for setting up and catering for the night.

The hall was decked out superbly in camouflaged themed table cloths, camouflage nets, saddles, oils slicks and even a beautiful old rocking horse (although not so tiny and no emu feather in sight; it fitted the theme of the night beautifully!) The JCA also provided delicious gourmet platters to be enjoyed as well as running the bar prior to the show and a spread of deadly cake and slices for supper.

Damian took everyone on a journey of hilarity and tears as he acted out the diary of digger “Paddy Callinan” through his adventures, and misadventures of the First WW. We met delightful larrikins and laughed at their antics and broke our hearts at their losses. Playful banter with the audience peppered the story -who knew that our own “Ken Nomiddlename Norman” himself was part of the seventh? We won’t say why he was sent home in disgrace…Or that we had a fine pair of twin Welsh whales residing in Jerdacuttup? Callinan switched from character to character in the blink of an eye and portrayed each hilarious scene with limited props and amazing realism. He also demonstrated a fantastic memory and a bit of prior homework by injecting some local history and activity into the storyline.

Thank you to the volunteers of both the Ravensthorpe Regionals Arts Council and Jerdacuttup Community Association for working hard to make this a night to remember, to bus drivers Kerry and Ian Dickinsen for filling in last minute and our usual driver Robert Bawden for taking everyone out to the hall and getting them home safely. The RRAC would not be able to provide free buses for events without the funding from Lotterywest WA. As our last show of the year, RRAC would also like to thank the ongoing support of the Shire of Ravensthorpe, Country Arts WA and the Department of Culture and the Arts; without whom we would not be able to provide our community with such a diverse annual artistic program.

 

Platters by JCA were delicious!

...busy in the kitchen...

...no emu feathers here; and it's not so tiny either

Ross Beckett, Chairperson of the Country Arts WA Board of Directors, brought his family along...all the way from Esperance!

Tour Manager, Therese Mavros, introduces the show.



supper!

After the show, Damian mingles with the audience as we all enjoy some supper.

 

New Coordinator for RRAC

The Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council (RRAC) would like to congratulate Rebecca Hillier on securing the role of their Coordinator. Beck will bring much expertise and enthusiasm to the position with her experience with the Hopetoun Dance Group, School of Bop and Arts Qualification.

Beck’s first assignment is participating in Country Arts WAs Artful Leadership for Community Building program after successfully winning a competitive round of applications. The program brings together 15 people from across the Goldfields-Esperance region to work together in an action learning environment, to develop arts and culture leadership projects that promote long lasting personal growth.

Beck is currently learning the ropes with previous Coordinator, Melissa Daw, who will finish a few projects and help Beck with end of year reporting.

Having the capacity to pay for part-time staff to deliver the annual program and undertake administrative duties has been a big step forward for the RRAC as it has resulted in generating more income by way of funding and ensured adherence to the organisation’s governance procedures and record keeping. The RRAC’s reputation as a quality Community Arts organisation has grown tremendously over the past few years having moved up a funding category with Country Arts WA and securing additional funding through the Creative Regions WA scheme. Exciting times are ahead!

To keep up to date with all of the Arts Council news be sure to like our Facebook page or blogsite, Raveaboutarts.blogspot.com.au

From left; Treasurer Di Belli, Jen Chambers, Beck Hillier, Mel Daw, Chairperson Ainsley Foulds, Fay O'Brien and Kay Wilson.

 

Fleur McDonal Writer's Workshop

On Friday August 14, a small but enthusiastic team of creative writers attended the Outback Writer’s Workshop with Fleur McDonald, held at the Ravensthorpe CRC.
 

Fleur’s seminar and workshop was professionally presented and extremely informative.  The participants enjoyed creative writing exercises and were privy to stacks of information about the absolute do’s and don’ts of pitching a manuscript to the big Australian publishers, along with plenty of the tips for the mass market.

 With six best-selling novels under her belt, and a seventh getting ready to fly from her keyboard, Fleur was truly inspiring.  Having been one of the very first rural literature sensations picked up by Australian publishing giant, Allen & Unwin in 2009 with her debut novel, Red Dust, she’s been knocking out a tremendous read ever since.  Some of her titles have been translated into other languages and she’s now emerging as a great Australian writer on the American market.

 Fleur also had her books available for sale which were quickly purchased, and offered book signings throughout the day.

We were very grateful Fleur made the trip to Ravensthorpe to share her valuable knowledge with us; to RedbackOz.com for organising the workshop; the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council for generously providing some funding and the Ravensthorpe CRC for ensuring the day ran smoothly.

 Kay Pearson.

 

Photo: Searching for a story.

Lost WW1 Diary

Country Arts WA and Act-Belong-Commit present

Damian Callinan in The Lost WW1 Diary.

 

 

 

Locally presented by Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council

 

Created and performed by Damian Callinan, Directed by Tim Overton

 

Jerdacuttup Town Hall, Saturday 29th August 2015

Doors open 6:30pm

 

Bar and cheese platters ($25) by Jerdacuttup Community Association

 

Free Lotterywest funded buses depart both Ravensthorpe CRC and Hopetoun CRC car parks at 6pm. Please book bus when purchasing tickets.

 

 

Tickets now available from Ravensthorpe CRC( 9838 1340 for credit card) and Hopetoun CRC.

 

Adults $25     Concession $20  recommended ages 15+

 

Further inquiries to RRAC Coordinator, Melissa Daw on 0427 381 530

rraccoordinator@westnet.com.au

 

Monday to Wednesdays, 10 -2pm

 

Its a long way to Tipperary without a GPS!

 

 

After discovering a WW1 diary in a country op shop, Callinan leads the audience into its pages where we meet hilarious but believable characters. The story goes from rollicking farce to aching pathos in a heart-beat.   

“Memorable, Moving, Brilliant. We laughed, we gasped, we wiped tears from our eyes.” 

5 Stars Adelaide Advertiser

https://www.facebook.com/lostww1diary