HERITAGE WALKS AROUND NEW FARM.
An October event with Mary Ryan.
The second of two October Heritage Walks was held on the weekend, with reactions from both the organizers and the participants, strongly indicating that this event has already become an important part of the historical and social calendar of this part of Brisbane.
These walks are the initiative of Christine Purdy, from the Mary Ryan Book Store in the NF Village. One of her best sellers for a long time, has been the very popular “Reflections on New Farm”, by Gloria Grant and Gerard Benjamin. If you add to this group, the popular Historian, Rod Fisher, you have an assembly of truly well informed and naturally attached people, who not so strangely want to share their knowledge with the rest of the world.
Christine and the crew start planning in August, alerting her network of these already entrenched October walks. Spots are taken up quickly, with his year’s bookings requiring three separate walks having to be programmed. The groups come well prepared in terms of fitting-out and enthusiasm, and all contain the smattering of local identities.
A selection has been made of 25 Sites in New Farm, each contributing to the history of the area, ranging from the institutional and commercial styled building to some of the many delightful architectural structures, that have become home to so many. The “tour guide” styled brochure accompanies the walkers, and gives running references to the relevant section of “Reflections”, where so much more additional information is available. There are quality discussions on each of the Sites visited on the Walk, with many of the participants able to comment and further contribute, reflecting their own historical experiences in this special part of Brisbane. The book’s Authors are still finding new facts and information about New Farm.
The end of Walk damper and coffee gathering, back at the Book Store, epitomizes the special bond and friendships that these activities generate.
An added feature has been embraced within this year’s postscript, with all participants receiving a digital record of the day, complete with some great pictorial memories. You can get arrange a copy through the Store, on 07- 3254 0444 or contact newfarm@maryryan.com.au .There will be some further information on this year’s Walk put up on the Mary Ryan Site at www.maryryan.com.au
A “Team Heritage” tag has been created to describe the organizers, who together with additional inputs from the popular Village News monthly magazine and this Site, just may have set up a precious event on the New Farm calendar.
Arts & the Community
Convenor and Editor - Sandy Dunstan
I’m Sandy Dunstan and I’m the Convenor for this wonderful new website in the section “Arts & Entertainment”.
This week we have seen some exciting new visitors to the Park. Last Sunday the 8th November saw the filming of a Tropfest short film titled 'Within Reason' being shot in and around New Farm Park. Around 35 cast & crew were seen shooting scenes at the Northern end of the Soccer oval, outside the Summerhouse Kiosk and at Envisage Dental Studio in the New Farm Village.
The short starred Sean Choolburra, one of Australia's finest Aboriginal performance artists who played the role of 'William', a man who is pre-judged by others because of his ethnicity. The story also involved a young actor, Drew Simpson, pictured here. Drew plays the part of Caitlin, who along with her mother, played by Jane Barry, ends up seeing "William in an altogether different way."
Doc Lyons, the Director & Writer of 'Within Reason', says that the short aims to remind the viewer that racial prejudice is still commonplace in much of society. The tagline of the short film is 'You should never judge a book by it's colour'.
'Within Reason' was the latest production from the company Triptych Concepts who would like to thank residents and businesses of New Farm for their support on the day - special thanks to Summerhouse Kiosk & Envisage Dental Studio.
