The White Hat Melbourne Newsletter

Archived Newsletter No.153 - 2 December 2005

Contents

Christmas lights
Advance notice
A Sunday Outing
Music
Reader feedback
Family stuff
New pages
Fairs & fetes
Last weekend's open gardens
Melbourne's Hidden Gems
The White Hat Quiz

Christmas lights

Each year, certain streets in Melbourne display the Christmas spirit by consuming the power needs of a third world country to drape their houses with multi-coloured lights. Most Melbournians are familiar with the display at The Boulevard in Ivanhoe but we invite readers to submit some of their favourite streets. Here is White Hat’s favourite display and it may provide some inspiration for some of you out there.

Advance notice

This is the time of year that dates and details for next year’s events start coming in. You can find details on the Sidney Myer free orchestral concerts (next February) at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. This holiday period the Shakespeare in the Botanic Gardens is not Midsummer Night’s Dream but Twelfth Night. This is a romantic night out that’s hard to beat, so best to save it up for when you’re seriously in need of brownie points – maybe after your annual embarrassing performance at the work Christmas party. Details at Royal Botanic Gardens. Details for entertainment in the parks and gardens has not yet been announced, but we would expect performances, stargazing and other activities to run throughout January & February. We will let you know when we have details. The St Kilda Festival for 2006 has been cancelled.

A Sunday Outing

Sunday is always a great time for an outing in Melbourne for those on a tight budget. Pack some picnic food, buy your $2.50 public transport ticket, print out your White Hat newsletter and printer version of events this weekend from our home page and Bob’s your uncle. Take an umbrella – I don’t care what the weather forecast says – take an umbrella.

This Sunday you could start by going to the art exhibition and fair at Burnley Harbour. (Walk from Burnley Station or take a tram up Swan Street Richmond). Wander around the exhibition leaning meaningfully on your umbrella from time to time. Burnley Harbour is the rather grandiose name given to a hidden enclave and park just across the river from Herring Island which was so named because the … (but that’s another story).

Time to wander back to Church Street. where you will find a number of contemporary furniture and design stores, and again you can use your umbrella for Monsieur Hulot impressions while checking out the seats.

Walk or take the tram along Chapel Street to Toorak Road South Yarra and then take the tram in Toorak Road to St Georges Road Toorak. Walk along St Georges Road to Toorak House (see below), enjoy the Scandanavian Fair and entertainment and have your picnic on the grass. Take a leisurely stroll back to Toorak Road, catch the tram into the city and head off to the free ABC concert at Southbank. Remember to rehearse your special cough for the soft bits because the concert is being broadcast live around Australia. Then its time to wander over to the Arts Centre and investigate this year’s Archibald Prize finalists at the George Adams Gallery. After that you may wander over to Fed Square, and, if you have your timing right listen to the peeling of St Paul’s Bells before heading home.

Not a bad days outing for probably less than the cost of hiring a video. But then, Melbourne’s like that.

Music

This Sunday is a concert on the Town Hall organ in the style of the City Hall organists. We were provided two free tickets which we have passed on to Michael who provided the splendid profile of Hugo Wertheim and his pedal organs several newsletters ago. But first a little background.

It is a little known fact that there were ways of reproducing music before MP3 players existed. (For the benefit of ABC listeners an MP3 player is what ABC announcers refer to when promoting iPods, podcasting etc. Although they steadfastly refuse to use the name of the company that provided the money to finish the delightful performance space at Fed Square – always referring to BMW Edge as ‘the Edge’ – they happily promote ‘approved’ products such as the Apple branded iPods rather than using the generic MP3 name)

Before the MP3 player was the minidisk and the CD and before the CD was the sound system, and before the sound system was the ‘stereo’ and before the stereo was the ‘hi-fi unit’, and before the hi-fi was the (definitely low-fi) radiogram (“I know it doesn't sound as good as some of these modern things George, but it’s still a lovely piece of furniture”), and before the radiogram was the phonograph, and before the phonograph was the pianola and reproducing piano with their paper piano rolls, and before the pianola was the visiting virtuoso pianist and City Hall organist providing you the first chance to hear the latest symphony or opera from overseas. (I hope you’ve paid attention because there will be a short test at the end.)

The City Organist was 90% musician, 80% showman, 70% politician (to prevent other people from stealing his job) and they had impressive names like W.T.Best and W.H.Keith Young.

Carlo Curley is an American organist in the grand tradition. (Oh dear - I shouldn’t have said American organist because Michael will point out that there is a difference between an ‘American Organ’ and a harmonium – or should that be an harmonium. A special mention to anyone who can beat Michael in telling us the difference). Where was I – I lost my train of thought and will have to start again at the beginning. No – that’s right – Carlo Curley. His recital will contain plenty of good music and plenty of fun. Thoroughly recommended. Details at Melbourne Town Hall.

Reader feedback

“Can you send me a list of Ouyen restaurants.
KL”

I haven’t been to Ouyen lately, but I expect the list may be rather short. Maybe our readers can help us out.

“I happen to agree with your comments about Carols by Candlelight. What used to be compulsory Christmas Eve viewing for our family is now replaced by a dvd or perhaps a card game etc. Having said that I am open to contrary views to my opinions, and would love to see a more comprehensive refutation of your statement than "such tripe as this". This is the last resort of those who don't like what's being said, but actually can't argue the truth of it. As for your advertisers, I'm sure that they are astute people (no, I'm not one of them) who know exactly what they're buying. Keep up the good work of telling it like it is.
MH”

And we also had this personal message.

“thanx sooo much for recharging my phone!!! schoolies was great and my arm is starting to heal. its so unfair – i met this fantastic guy at schoolies and now i can hardly comminicate cos my right thumb is in plaster. hes so funny and clever – he does this impression of guy sebastien using a mop which is sooo funny – ROTFL - and he knows all this stuff about history like who really shot ned kelly so you would love him. hes coming down to melbourne – to see me!! but please dont tell mum & dad. my best friend said we should go with them to the gardens to see 12th knight but i said he wasn’t into jousting & stuff. ill pay you back for the phone but have to wait until my arm heals to get back to work.
love N”

Family stuff

Tomorrow (Saturday) is Santa’s Teddy Bears Picnic at Gasworks Park in Albert Park. On Sunday there is free children’s entertainment at Fed Square and during the week there are circus performances by the National Academy of Circus Arts. Details at Children's & Family Activities in Melbourne.

New pages

We have added two new pages to our website. Markets and events seeking Stallholders & Performers and Stallholders and Entertainers available for events and markets.

Fairs & fetes

This weekend there is a Christmas Family Fun Day at Surrey Hills and a Carnival at Aspendale Gardens Primary School. For those who aren’t working today (Friday) there is a Kriskindl fair at Canterbury. Details at Fairs & Fetes in Melbourne. For those who are at work today, you’ve already blown your pretence of actually working by playing the Christmas lights video, so you may as well pack up and go along as well.

Last weekend's open garden

Some of you may be wondering why we sent you off to a non-existent open garden last weekend. We made the mistake of believing the ‘quality media’ who stated it was at Parliament House rather than Government House. We were able to make the alteration on our website and notify most of you in time, but not before several of you ventured out. However we probably should take further example form the quality media and adopt their precept of “never apologize, never explain”. Janet ventured out and this is what she wrote:

“I really enjoy your newsletter, partly because it reminds me of what a wonderfully diverse and vibrant city we live in. However, enticed by the idea of seeing behind the scenes at our illustrious Parliament, I sallied forth last Sunday, but was a little disappointed to discover that, contrary to your latest newsletter, the Parliament Gardens were definitely NOT open last Sunday, 24 November. This 'rare opportunity' was indeed rare - in fact, non-existent.

(However, all was not lost as I enjoyed a stroll through the somewhat more-accessible, but nonetheless attractive, Treasury Gardens instead.)

BUT, what has prompted me to write is that I wish to comment on the security guard, positioned at Parliament House, defending us from peril in our midst. There he was, on a rather pleasant Sunday afternoon (when I am sure he would much rather be at home tucking into the Sunday roast with the family), standing in splendid isolation on Parliament House steps, bristling with guns, uniform, two-way radio, and other trappings of officialdom in these dark, terrorist-ridden days. With a little trepidation I approached him and inquired as to the open-ness or otherwise of the gardens, expecting a monosyllabic growl in response at best.

But no! What a gentleman. He sorrowfully reported that the gardens were not in fact open, and perhaps I meant Government House Gardens instead? When I persisted that I had read in a very authoritative source that it was definitely Parliament House Gardens, he looked bereft and said that I was not alone in making this assertion that day, but that he was terribly sorry it was a mistake, and there was nothing he could do.

But what really warmed my heart was his parting statement, which was 'I'm sorry, we've actually got a couple of private functions on in the gardens today, or I'd gladly let you in for a wander round.'!!! Call me naive, but in these days of suspicion and anticipation of the worst in our fellow beings, his simple gesture served to remind me once again why I love this country and this city (which I can say hand-on-heart as a long-ago immigrant who has adopted Melbourne as my home).

So, in a way, I'd like to thank you for getting the information wrong, as otherwise I would never have had the privilege of this life-affirming encounter.

(BTW, if the security guard's superiors happen to read this, it's all lies, and he never really would have offered me a sneaky look at the gardens without full official clearance and sign-off in triplicate from whomever is the governing body of such things...)

May my next expedition be as successful...
Regards, Janet”

Melbourne's Hidden Gems

Melbourne's Hidden Mansions

A number of Melbourne’s heritage mansions are owned and operated by the National Trust and thus well known to the public. There are some, however, that are not owned by the trust, and which are accessible to the public at certain times. Don't expect to see busloads of tourists or backpackers - just locals adn discerning travellers who are 'in the know'. Here are some of our favourites.

Please note: This section of the newsletter has been removed as it forms part of a forthcoming publication or because it is forms part of our Questing activities. If you find yourself on a tour where the guide is White Hat Accredited they are likely to know the answer to many questions you may have in this area. All guides on White Hat Tours are White Hat Accredited.

The White Hat Quiz

How well do you know Melbourne?

First to last week’s quiz.

Some simple (or are they?) questions about Melbourne and colour

1. What colour is our state flower?
2. What colour is ‘The Tan’?
3. At major events we often see crowds waving green and gold flags representing Australia. When the troops returned from the first and second world wars Melbournians waved Australian flags in the street and draped them from their windows. What was the predominant colour of those flags?
4. Vienna has the beautiful Blue Danube? What does Melbourne have?

Deb wrote”

Hi White,

“How's things this arvo? I've been out to lunch and had daquiri's so I'm feeling very relaxed for a Friday arvo, even if I am still at work!! Before I answer this weeks quiz questions - where are the answers to the quiz on 4th Novemeber? I've had a look at the Newsletters since then and can't find them. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). Really, I'm not too fussed, except for the answer to 'what are the green post-like boxes with no slot in them for'? I've seen them on the streets, and often wondered what they are for, and I thought I was about to find out, but.....(please explain!) My contribution to this week's quiz answers:

2. I don't think the Tan is tan, is it?? Maybe it's grey or black??

3. Blue, cos they would've been waving the Union Jack....(I think, or this the trick question?). Even if they were waiving the Australian Flag, the predominate colour would still be blue.

4. Pah!! Danube Schnabube!!! It might be blue in Vienna, but we have a 'cappucino' coloured river here in Melbourne!! (I have seen it a sort of 'chartrusey' colour, too....) Whatever colour, we can always dress it up by using contemporary names for colours!

Thanks again White, look forward to hearing from you again next week.

Wot fun!! Deb”

We have omitted the workplace details which came with Deb’s email. Suffice to say that she works for an organization in the Quarantine/Customs area. If any White Hat readers are thinking of sneaking that extra bottle of Scotch through customs, we suggest that Friday afternoons could be a good time.

A couple of Deb's answers are wrong so here are the correct answers:

Please note: This section of the newsletter has been removed as it forms part of a forthcoming publication or because it is forms part of our Questing activities. If you find yourself on a tour where the guide is White Hat Accredited they are likely to know the answer to many questions you may have in this area. All guides on White Hat Tours are White Hat Accredited.

Now to this week’s quiz.

Melbourne and music reproduction.

1. At various times the bells in the Post Office Clock in Elizabeth Street play melodies. How are these melodies stored and reproduced?
2. A piano roll was traditionally made by a pianist sitting at a specially fitted piano and the playing would produce marks on a roll of paper. These marks would later be cut out as holes. One Melbourne nutter decided that if he just went straight to the roll of paper and cut out the holes he could produce the music of pianist with 88 fingers. What was his name?
3. Next to the river in Benalla is a public musical instrument. What is its name and how is it played?
4. A Melbourne nutter noted that by moving a lever on a rheostat in an electronic oscillator you could produce a moving musical tone. He rigged up the lever to special cardboard cutout curves on a rotating spindle to create a new style of musical instrument. What was his name?
5. Melbourne’s first radio station was 3LO. Who owned and operated this station?
6. A Melbourne nutter was fascinated by the sound produced by rubbing your finger around the top of a wine glass and incorporated it into a large scale choral and orchestral work. What was his name?
7. Name a Melbourne sculpture that incorporates sound into its design.