Ah Warrnambool. Once the home of whaling and still home to all sorts of maritime history stuff; today for me at least, I think of Airbourne (the band), Cheese World (the theme park) and fish and chips (made by a tiny Greek lady). However after Friday night I will definitely be adding The Art Gallery (temporary home to Come on the Scene),The Warrnambool (The Pub) and Sam (the hippy flutist). But more on that later.
The Friday the 13th opening of Come on the Scene was an event overshadowed by the recent horrific fires. As a member of the CFA I, like many in the local brigade, volunteered to assist in the massive mop-up efforts. So on the Tuesday before the opening I found myself heading to Churchill with a bunch of blokes to undertake two days of mopping up and blacking out.
I arrived back in Dunkeld on Thursday night and by Friday afternoon I was motoring towards the Warrnambool Art Gallery. On arrival I was introduced to the Director Murray Bowes and said hi to Brenda the lovely curator. The exhibition space was large and airy and allowed plenty of room for most of the works. Having arrived early I had plenty of time to quietly examine the show and see how the others had adapted their work for travelling. It all looked great ,thanks of course to the wonderful efforts of all those who helped with the setting up.
I soon caught up with my good friends Tamara, Paul from Nextwave, his lovely family and of course the perpetually cheerful girls fron NETS. What a wonderful organisation NETS is with its regionally focused focus- brilliant!
After numerous glasses of mineral water I soon found myself in deep discussions with Sam, a flute player who had cycled all the way from the beach to see the show. Apparently he only plays his flute when his neighbors mow their lawn. Which is very thoughtful on his part but considering the lack of rain I'm not sure how often he'd be able to get it out. But anyway he seemed quite happy and seemed to really enjoy the show.
I also met a bunch of well dressed young locals who as it turned out were once good friends with the guys from the band Airbourne. One guy with a large beard and pointy silver boots reckoned that they were still the same dirty bunch of musicians - only they knew more famous people than he did.
According to my bearded friend the whole rock -star thing isn't what it's cracked up to be. I solemnly agreed, finished my glass of mineral water and bid my new friends a good evening.
Trevor Flinn
Gee I think I might have had a few more mineral waters than you Trev ;)
Posted by: Tamara | Saturday, 21 February 2009 at 20:37
Tam,ooooo hi. This is Shudah. Long long time in Latrobe University at the units, I liked the bread you used to make. Oooh my god, I have been surfing the net, until I found you. Hi family.
Posted by: Shudah | Friday, 27 February 2009 at 18:16