Our June guest speaker, Susan Ackroyd, was very interesting. Susan spoke about her new second-edition book, “Rhyme and Reason”, which was launched on 1st May this year. It was eye-opening to learn the stories and events that formed the basis of these nursery rhymes, which have been told to generations of children throughout the ages.
2025 January to May News
Our January meeting saw a welcome return visit by Paul Kearney, Rock Historian: this time speaking about the History of Rock and Roll Early 1960s Australian Hits. Paul showed a couple of hilarious short videos, then began his presentation by providing some background to the beginnings of rock and roll music in Australia. Paul then spoke about the rise to fame, and provided a where are they now, of several well-known singers and groups from the ‘60s along with video clips of their first hits.
Among the videos were `Oh Yeah Uh Huh’ by Col Joye, using a typewriter as part of the backing music, `She’s My Baby’ by Johnny O’Keefe, ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ by Lucky Starr, `Wine and Women’ by the Bee Gees and `I’ll Never Find Another You’ by The Seekers. A video of John Farnham’s `Sadie’ brought much laughter and comment, not about John or the song, but about the dancers! Paul closed his presentation with Slim Dusty’s ‘Waltzing Matilda’ with members singing along with the chorus.
The February’s outing was to Cirque du Soleil – Luzia. Everyone enjoyed the company and thought the show was brilliant. So much talent and flexibility was on show by all the performers and special effects of a rain shower. A fun aspect was given to the show by the clown. Our seats were in a fantastic position.
Since then we had several other outings including enjoying the annual Premiers Gala Concert, visits to the Parramatta Female Factory, the Lucy Osburn Nightingale Musuem and the Hyde Park Barracks.
A team of us enjoyed the “End of the Wharf As We Know It” in April and the highlight of our outing in May was a trip to NSW Parliament House where we finished a most meaning full tour of both chambers of Parliament and savored delicacies at high tea in the members dining room. A visiting vexillologist delivered a most interesting presentation on the history and design of the world’s flags at our monthly meeting.
2024 July News
Since its opening in 1929, the State Theatre Sydney has captivated the hearts and minds of patrons with its majestic elegance. Our group enjoyed a wonderful two hour tour led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.
During the tour we sat in the different levels of the auditorium and were lucky to see (and hear) the Wurlitzer organ (the voice of silent movies) standing on stage for its regular airing and tuning. The sounds were some used as sound effects for the silent movies.
We learnt of the eclectic elements of the Theatre’s Gothic, Italian and Art Deco design. We visited the famous character lounges including the exotic Butterfly Room, the Pioneer Room, and the College Room.
We admired the world’s second largest hand-cut crystal chandelier, the Koh-I-Nor, as well as prize-winning artworks by famous Australian artists including William Dobell, Mary Edwards, Charles Wheeler and Raymond Lindsay. We were able to go back stage and view the steel fire curtain as well as the performers’ green room with a huge array of posters of many concerts and shows from the Theatre’s history.
Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at a nearby club which was convenient to both the Theatre and Town Hall Station.