My heart, along with that of many others in Canberra and beyond, is breaking this weekend, because on Friday evening we heard the news we had been dreading, that Michael Sollis had died - that morning. Just weeks off his 41st birthday, Michael was a musical performer and conductor, composer and arranger, artistic director, musicologist, … Continue reading Vale Michael Sollis (1985-2026)
Australian arts and culture
Monday musings on Australian literature: 1961 in fiction (2)
I said in last week's Monday Musing, which was dedicated Karen’s (Kaggsy’s Bookish Rambling) and Simon’s (Stuck in a Book) 1961 "Year Club", that I might write a second post this week. I know the week finished yesterday, 19 April, but I couldn't resist posting on a topic that popped up frequently during my research, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1961 in fiction (2)
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1925: 2, fostering Australian sentiment
During 1925, two sets of articles appeared which discussed the issue of fostering "Australian sentiment". Australian literature and labour John Mckellar, 1929Herald (Melbourne), 27 November 1929, p 16 During the year, John McKellar (1881-1966) gave lectures on topics relating to literature and labour or the working class. On February 12, a newspaper titled Labor Call … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1925: 2, fostering Australian sentiment
Monday musings on Australian literature: Creative Australia Awards in Literature
Creative Australia is the - how shall we say it - rebranded Australia Council for the Arts / Australia Council. Under whatever name it has, this is the body that serves as the major arts funding and advisory body for the Australian Government. You can read its history on Wikipedia if you are interested. The Australia Council … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Creative Australia Awards in Literature
The Story of the Oars
Back in 2018, I wrote a post on local author Nigel Featherstone's first theatrical work, an art-song piece titled The Weight of Light. Seven years later, his second work of theatre, The Story of the Oars, has just finished its short season at The Street Theatre. Having just got back from Japan on Friday afternoon, … Continue reading The Story of the Oars
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1925: 1, Literary societies
As I've done in recent years, I decided to start a little Monday Musings sub-series drawing on researching Trove to get a picture of Australian literature a century ago, that is, in 1925. One of the things that popped up as I started this year's Trove trawl was the existence of an active community of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1925: 1, Literary societies
Hell Herons, The Wreck Event
In late June I attended the 2024 ACT Literary Awards which were held in the Canberra Contemporary Art Space. In my post on those awards, I shared the MCs' acknowledgement of CCAS's ongoing sponsorship. They made the point that this space is an appropriate venue because there are links between all artists, including the fact … Continue reading Hell Herons, The Wreck Event
Monday musings on Australian literature: Digital Lending Right
Australia implemented a Public Lending Right (PLR) in 1975. It's a Federal Government program which makes payments to eligible creators and publishers, in recognition of income they lose (in other words, don't get!) through loans and other free uses of their books in public lending libraries. PLR schemes operate many countries around the world, including … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Digital Lending Right
Peter Wegner’s Centenarians
In 2021 Australian artist Peter Wegner won Australia’s prestigious portrait painting prize, the Archibald, with his painting of the Australian artist Guy Warren, who also happened to be a centenarian. That year also happened to be the prize's centenary. Coincidence? Who knows! Regardless, the portrait was in fact part of a Centenarians project which Wegner … Continue reading Peter Wegner’s Centenarians
Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 6, Great Australian novel (again)
The things you find in Trove! As l was trawling Trove for my 1922-project earlier this year, I came across a reference to the Great Australian novel. Just one. So, I put it aside, thinking it would be a neat, quick little post for a busy week like this one. Little did I know ... … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: on 1922: 6, Great Australian novel (again)
Whispering Gums 