The White Hat Melbourne Newsletter

Archived Newsletter No.177 - 22 June 2006

Contents

Readers Day
School holiday activities
Poetry
Parliament House Open Day
Soccer
Fashion
Corporate Challenge
Dinner in the Dark
From the White Hat Inbox
Classical music
Country Victoria
The White Hat Quiz

Readers Day

On Saturday there is a Readers day at the Fitzroy Town Hall with meet the writers and other sessions. Details at Literary Festivals in Melbourne.

School holiday activities

Those of you who asked for ideas for children’s activities for the school holidays have already received your newsletter (which is why this one is late). In addition to the suggestions in that newsletter you might also want to consider the “froth and bubble” entertainment mentioned below. For those who did not ask for our kids newsletters last week, let us know and we will forward it to you.

Poetry

On Saturday there is a celebration of poet and horseman Adam Lindsay Gordon. The day promises lots of “froth and bubble” with plenty of free activities for kids.

On Friday of next week there is a workshop on 5 Ways to Kickstart Your Poetry. If you are a poet and can’t think of anything to write about this workshop is for you. Next in the series may be a workshop for painters who can’t think of anything to paint.

There are several regular poetry sessions around Melbourne including ones at Fed Square and near Brunswick Station. You will find details of these plus the workshop session above at Forums & Workshops in Melbourne.

For those who choose to hone their poetry in private, I know of no better description of the process than that given by Clive James. Clive is an Australian who is well known as an entertainer and writer but currently under-valued as a poet. He describes the process as “[The mind is invaded] by a single phrase [which] then [takes] over your life until you find all other phrases that belong with it in a tight perimeter and excludes the ones that don’t” .

Parliament House Open Day

On Sunday, Parliament House is open to the public. Here is your chance to see at close one of Melbourne’s most revered institutions. The revered institution we speak of is ‘The Free Public Event’. Put the word ‘free’ in front of it and Melburnians will turn out in their thousands, spend a small fortune on afternoon tea or drinks afterwards, then go home happy. Charge a few dollars for the event and most will stay home.

Parliament House contains some of the most beautifully preserved Victorian era interiors in the world. This had a civilising effect on those entering the building. Outside on the street you could see drunkenness, hear foul language, be shocked by unruly behaviour and observe people spending large amounts of money with little thought of the consequences. Inside the house was different – or so I’m told.

Soccer

For those who have not had enough soccer recently there a German Football Film Festival in St Kilda. Details at Film Festivals in Melbourne.

Fashion

This Thursday is the regular fashion showcase at Fed Square. We have also added to our Fashion in Melbourne page by listing markets with a fashion emphasis. This is only a short list at the moment but will grow over time.

Corporate Challenge

Last week’s quiz brought a flood of responses. We found that many of them came with corporate signature lines. We immediately sold our shares in those companies whose staff have enough time to be reading our newsletter and responding to our quiz. For that reason we decided we might institute some sort of corporate challenge between workplaces in a future newsletter to see if we can grind the economy to a complete halt. Those from blue chip companies who responded may like to know that you were beaten by Leanne (a stay-at-home mum) with some help from hubby at work. However we will use Steven’s response. Steven works for a nameless consulting company who now have the naming rights to a heritage building in Collins Street with a small Napier Waller fresco above the door.

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.

Dinner in the Dark

In the coming week there is a fund raiser for charity featuring ‘Dinner in the Dark’. This is a meal served in complete darkness. Alternatively, you can have the same experience at home by not paying the electricity bill. Details at Food and Wine in Melbourne.

From the White Hat Inbox

We received the following for free listing on our website. We declined to list it, but publish it here as a warning to anyone attempting to venture near Chadstone.

“BOUTIQUE BY BARBIE at CHADSTONE Price: FREE Location: Chadstone - The Fashion Capital Be Pampered! Customize your own Tee's! Get the look! Walk the walk. Your very own personal stylist will transform you into any look you choose. So what style are you: Hollaback Girl, Orange County Classic, Urban chic or Sun Kissed babe? You will leave as an instant cover girl with an awesome goody bag in hand. Friday 16 June till Thursday 29 June - 10am till 4pm everyday located ground level David Jones”

We also received the following personal message:

“hi from na+ a+ inverlocg.
tge compu+er guy said ged come back and fix the dud keys (+he le++ers af+er g and s). we +gougg+ +ravlling in a kombi would be really grea+ and wed meet lo+s of o+ger cool people in kombis bu+ its all baby boomers reliving +heir you+h. deadsville!! con+ac+ u wgen +he compu+er is fixed.
love na+”

Classical Music

For those who have subscribed to our classical music in Melbourne in Melbourne you will be receiving your newsletter RSN (real soon now). For those who would like to subscribe send us an email to classical@whitehat.com.au. In the meantime, this week’s offerings include the MSO playing American classics, the Mozart Serenade for 13 winds at BMW Edge, The Flinders Quartet playing the Debussy String Quartet, Midori playing the Britten Violin Concerto, the first performances of our newly (recreated) Victorian Opera as well a recital by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. There also a number of performances and exhibitions based around Ballets Russes. Details at Classical Music in Mlbourne or in our classical music newsletter.

Country Victoria

This weekend there is the Warrnambool Fun 4 Kids Festival, the Stitched Up Textile Festival in Wang, the Kilmore Celtic Festival and the International Hazelwood Festival of Dance. The Melbourne Symphony are performing Geelong on Friday night. Also near Geelong there is also the Battle of Bannockburn Country Fair which will involve entertainments (including ferret racing) and re-enactments of the battle. After the battle, comely camp followers will attempt to entice you with their wares. (Actually it will be Beryl from the CWA with her scones since, after all, this is a family event.) For details go to our home page and select the appropriate weekend from the drop-down menu of events in country Victoria.

The White Hat Quiz

Australian Poetry

1. What poem concerns the drowning of a journalist in Sydney Harbour?
2. What fashion statement would you expect to find in Ironbark?
3. Where in Melbourne would you find the Henry Lawson Tree?
4. What was the name of the Sentimental Bloke’s sheila?
5. Chris Wallace-Crabbe is one of Melbourne’s most respected living poets. Name one of his poems.
6. What Australian poet shares a name with an SBS soccer commentator?
7. What poets currently appear on Australian banknotes?
8. What did Banjo Patterson do during World War 1 ?
9. What two things stand like stone?

No prizes – just glory and a warm inner glow.