Cosmotobloom

Artist Kevin Smith is exhibiting aseriesofnew paintings titled 'BLOOM' at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham across February and March.

These new paintings, created in his Little Hampton studio during the past three years, capture the townscapes and landscapes of the central highlands and beyond in Kevin's colourful, vibrant, expressionist style.

The title BLOOM expresses the joy of being able to once again connect with the creative loving populace.

He says, "The time has come to help the creatives of the region to 'bloom and blossom' after being unable to exhibit and sell their works for the past three years" due to the pandemic.

Trained in Fine Arts at the National Gallery Art School in the 1960s, Kevin has been creating, exhibiting and selling his original works for almost 60 years. Winner of multiple awards including the Swiss Italian Landscape Prize, the Glenlyon Art Prize and the Trentham art prizes for best oil, acrylic, pastel and sculpture.

People can meet the artist at the Cosmo on Saturday February 4 and 11, from 4pm to 6pm.

Commemorative year forVietnam veterans

January 11, 2023, marked 50 years since the proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War and marks the start of official Vietnam 50 commemorations for 2023.

Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell is proud the federal government is committed to honouring the service of Vietnam veterans.

“More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Mr Mitchell said.

“For many veterans, upon their return, their service was not recognised as it should have been. This was wrong."

“In the nearly four decades since the end of the Vietnam War, there has been much heartache and much healing. "Although people will differ in their opinions on the Vietnam War, Ipersonally want to put on the record my total admiration and respect for and thanks to all those who bravely went to war and how sorry Iamfor the mistreatment they received on their return.

“In December we marked the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Labor Government’s end to the last National Service scheme in Australia and the anniversary of the withdrawal of the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam.

“The Australian Government is honouring those who served and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

All Vietnam veterans and national servicemen, who have rendered at least one day of full-time service (even if they were not deployed) are eligible to claim awhite card through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs that includes mental health support.

DVA will mark this anniversary with an awareness campaign throughout 2023 including adocumentary series, and providing historical and educational resources to schools, ex-service organisations and community groups.

This will culminate in anationalcommemorative service on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, August 18, 2023, in Canberra, recognising the service of all Australians who served in the Vietnam War and honouring the sacrifices that they and their families made.