Paynter has his marking pen out

GEOFF Paynter will spend tomorrow morning wandering Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall making mental notes on more than 200 arts works on display.

The Bendigo artist will then take a break before embarking again through the display stands selecting winners in the town’s first Major’s Vision art show.

Paynter says he will be looking for the capability of artists and innovative work as he judges the competition with more than $4000 prizemoney.

“I look for a creative work,” Paynter said this week.

He praised the endeavours of Pyramid Hill Progress Association to establish the show.

“Over the years I have been responsible for running many shows and understand the importance of them for artists to gain respect and hopefully sales,” Paynter said.

““There’s a cost to enter shows and potential sales is a motivation for artists.

“And for amateur artists, it’s the chance to exhibit their works.”

Paynter has also entered art shows across the state with acclaim and has special memories of shows in Charlton and Donald.

The artist was educated in Bendigo, has had his own studio since the 1950s and was the first education officer at Bendigo Art Gallery before teaching in district schools.

Major’s Vision art show opens with a special function tonight when winners will be announced.

Dashing kilts will sprint along to foot-tapping Celtic tunes

THE more energetic at Bridgewater’s Scots Day Out and Celtic Connections next month are being encouraged to rock up for the kilt races.

Organiser Jenny Hosking said races kilted for men and woman would be one of the highlights of a day full of Scottish and Irish music in the old railway station precinct.

“We’re putting the challenge out to clubs and groups across the district to be part of the kilt challenge,” she said.

“The only condition of entry is that you wear a kilt or are wrapped in a colourful piece of tartan material.

“The kilt dashes will be held around midday in between the many musical performances throughout the day.”

Jenny said pipe bands from central Victoria and Celtic folk groups would entertain the crowd.

Among them will be musicians from the Central Victorian Irish Association.

“We also have many Scottish clan organisations coming to Bridgewater for the reboot of Scots Day Out and there’s also going to be activities presented for crowd participation by Bendigo Swordcraft,” she said.

“Swordcraft is Australia’s largest medieval battle game and live action roleplay event.

“We are expecting a good crowd of people looking for their fix of Scottish and Irish culture and entertainment.”

Jenny said the event had received support from Loddon Shire Council and Victoria’s Multicultural Commission.

Scots Day Out was first held a decade ago, and is being rebooted in 2023 after COVID interruptions the previous two years.

The event has moved to Bridgewater and teamed with Kooyora Women’s Network’s Celtic Connection day to help flood-hit communities in their economic recovery after the emergency last October.

Scots Day Out and Celtic Connections is on March 4.

Silo projections create serious sense of movie excitement

WHILE other rural towns have put themselves on the map by painting their silos, Quambatook is renowned for lighting up its silos to screen Australian movies.

Now a firm favourite on the bucket list, attendees travel from all over Australia to attend the twice yearly screenings under a magnificent Mallee night sky.

This Saturday Quambatook Silo Cinema will be screening the new Australian movie Seriously Red.

Starring Krew Boylan, Rose Byrne, Celeste Barber and directed by Gracie Otto, Seriously Red revolves around unemployed real estate agent, Red, who pursues her dream of becoming the world’s greatest Dolly Parton impersonator.

When her act attracts the attention of an amorous Elvis impersonator and a

WOMEN'S DAY

TheKooyoora Women's Network invite you to the 7th

International Women's Day Dinner

On Wednesday the 1st of March

@6.30- 7 pm at the Bridgewater Hotel Function Room.

IWD 2023 theme- Embrace Equity

Guest Speaker- Kaye Nankervis

Kaye will speak about living and working in collaboration with Indigenous women in East Arnhemland in NT and in the Great Sandy Desert of WA

All Welcome.

RSVP BY 22.2.23 to Sue Brown Phone 040 919 8974 powerful booking agent, she soon gets catapulted into the top tier of copycat performers, becoming the onstage and romantic partner of the top Kenny Rogers impersonator.

“We are really excited to be able to screen a recently released movie that most of our fans won’t have seen yet,” says silo cinema Projectionist and organiser Laura O’Dwyer.

“My favourite part of the cinema is the atmosphere and excitement from the crowd before the movie,” Laura said.

“We encourage our visitors to frock up and rock up in the theme of the movie.

“Seriously Red presents so many options to impersonate anyone famous and I’ve been planning my costume for a while,” she said.