“Hey, Kontos, are you going to do a story on how our art gallery is now a hardware store.’’
The caller was a Campbelltown councillor and obviously he had just come from the Campbelltown Arts Centre where Mike Parr’s installation, Entry by Tranquilization Only, is on exhibition until the middle of this month.
Having run a promotional story on it and seeing it with my own eyes I knew straight away where the “hardware store’’ reference was coming from.
There’s been a bit of talk that some of the recent exhibitions are just too abstract, but it’s doubtful anyone would do anything that results in Campbelltown being labelled a bunch of philistines.
Then again, you never know.
♦ Labor is in charge for the first time in many years in both Liverpool and Campbelltown, and so the question is will this pave the way for a more friendly association.
The new Campbelltown mayor, George Brticevic, criticised Liverpool quite a few times during the past few years, but that was before Labor’s Wendy Waller was elected mayor in the popular vote they have up north.
But at least George and his six Labor colleagues will be able to say they are no longer surrounded by Liberal councils, as they were the previous term.
Camden is of course still in the hands of the Libs, and unless a certain butcher changes his mind in two years’ time, it will stay like that for the full term.
Either way, as our Chinese friends say, we are living in interesting times.
♦ That wonderful Macarthur region organisation, Youth Solutions, will host a Trivia Night in Narellan on Friday, October 28 and they would love to see you all there.
Funds raised from the event will support its youth drug and alcohol prevention and health promotion programs in Macarthur and Wingecarribee.
Phone Amanda on 4628 2319 or email her at amanda@youthsolutions.com.au if you can make it.
♦ The Campbelltown-Camden District Band has just turned 70 and it celebrated with a special dinner on October 1.
Campbelltown MP Greg Warren used a Community Recognition Statement in the NSW Parliament to give the band a bit of a pat on the back.
“Initially formed in 1946 as a small community brass band, the band has evolved over 70 years into a fully fledged concert band, with approximately 50 wide-ranging instrumentalists,’’ Mr Warren told parliament.
“Today the band plays an important role at functions and parades in the Macarthur region, including proudly being a part of Campbelltown’s Anzac Day and Australia Day ceremonies and the first Festival of Fisher’s Ghost, among many other events.
“The band also runs a Youth Ensemble, which gives high school students the opportunity to develop their musical talents as well as to perform.
“The Campbelltown-Camden District Band is to be congratulated on 70 years of contributing to our city and region, and long may it continue.’’
♦ Local resident Jim Wardle and his “unbelievabowl’’ friends from the Austral Bowling Club have helped generate more than $3,500 towards Liverpool Hospital’s Brain Tumour Education and Support Group.
Mr Wardle’s wife Rosie was diagnosed last year with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
With his wife now in remission, Mr Wardle said he was motivated to host a day on the green to raise funds for the group which supports patients like his wife through changes in their life.
“Support from the group has helped my wife Rosie to deal with her diagnosis as well as share her experiences with others enduring a similar battle with brain cancer,” Mr Wardle said.
♦ In the Christian tradition, Saint Michael is revered as the Patron Saint of Protectors and it is therefore on St Michael’s Day that police have adopted September 29 in recognition of Police Remembrance Day.
Local MP Chris Hayes, a noted supporter of police officers, recently moved a Notice of Motion in the Federal Parliament in commemoration of Police Remembrance Day and honouring all those in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties.
“Policing comes with a high degree of risk and dangers which thankfully most of us will never have to face,” Mr Hayes told federal parliament.
