PURCELL’S WORK AT COLLINS ST BAPTIST CHURCH

■ Victoria Chorale presents two pieces of music with the Art of Sound Orchestra and conductor

Mario Dobernig

A lively semi-staged performance of Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas.

This work tells the story of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and her illfated love encounter with the Trojan Prince Aeneas.

Victoria Chorale plus nine soloists will capture the fun of rowdy sailors and caustic witches alongside the stirring emotions of a tragic love story.

Purcell’s evocative work culminates in one of opera’s great moments as Dido (Sally-Anne Russell) hauntingly sings ‘Remember me’ https://www.trybooking.com/

The superb Magnificat in G minor by Vivaldi conveys a majestic sense of awe and drama.

5p, Saturday, September 2. Collins St Baptist Church, 174 Collins St, Melbourne. The concert will finish around 6.20 pm.

CJQNA

Emerging artist win

- Rob Foenander

■ Muruwarri artist, Dr Virginia Keft, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious biennial prize that celebrates emerging First Nations artists from across the country.

2023 yapang Emerging Art

Prize winner, Virginia Keft with her winning work, We were here long before the Hills Hoist.

Dr Keft was announced as the winner of the prestigious prize at an event on Friday night at the Museum of Art & Culture (yapang), Lake Macquarie.

Her sculpture, featuring her signature woven flying foxes,was a unanimous choice by the three judges: Sebastian Goldspink, Toby Cedar and Jessica Tobin

Describing Dr Keft's innovative use of traditional weaving techniques, judge and esteemed artist Toby Cedar remarked:

“Her work was outside the box.. The way she did her technique that was passed down was not just doing the same thing everyone else is doing ... You have to have a strong story to make your artwork powerful.

Speaking about her winning sculpture, Dr Keft said: “The work is a statement about the resilience of Aboriginal culture and critiques the mindset of the Colonial project which aimed to colonise, conquer and disperse. The central motif of the Flying Fox celebrates connection to place and community.

Held every two years, the yapang Emerging Art Prize is a prestigious acquisitive art prize developed to celebrate, promote and support emerging First Nations artists from across Australia

The exhibition is on display until September 17.

■ Racing Victoria has updated its Social Media Policy for industry participants.

The policy reflects current trends and expectations as to how use the social media when engaging with other industry participants, and/ or commenting about the broader industry, stakeholders, clubs’ officials and/or RV

The policy aims to make usersfeel comfortable in speaking up if they are concerned about content on social media, whether it is or isn’t directed at them , and how to report any concerns.

The policy also outlines the relevant Rules of Racing which may relate to theirconduct on social media, and the type of conduct which may be in breach of this policy and/or the Rules of Racing.

One notable addition to the Social Media Policy is the reference to eSafety Commissioner who supports Australians experiencing online bullying or abuse to take action or make a complaint.

To better understand how the ESafety Commissioner can support, visit esafety.gov.au

National Pony Series

■ The Thoroughbred Industry Careers has teamed with the Pony Club Australia to launch a National Pony Series, which gets underway on August 12.

It is kicking off in Brisbane this month and runs across five States including Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia, which culminates in the Finals during the Autumn Carnival in Sydney next April.

The series will have 12 qualifying races, comprising six individual qualifying race days with two different age and height categories before the two finals.

This will see the winners and runners-up from each State compete.

TIC has run a number of pop-up exhibition races run in Australia in recent times that have proved hugely popular with a broad racing audience.

Off the back of that success, the TIC National Pony Racing Series has been formed.

Participating Clubs for the qualifying races are the Brisbane Racing Club (Eagle Farm on August 12) the Moonee Valley Racing Club (October 27), Western Australian Turf Club (Ascot, December 9).

Then the Gold Coast Turf Club (January 6), the Australian Turf Club at (Warwick Farm on January 26), and South Australia

The Finals will be run in Sydney over Autumn.

Each pony racer will wear sponsored racing colours, and some of the biggest names in Australian racing have put their support behind the series. The group backing the sponsorship form list of Who’s Who: Annabel NeeshamRacing, Arrowfield Stud, Carl and Lorraine Holt, Chris Waller Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing, Craig Sneesby, Frank and Christine Cook, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Godolphin, Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Inglis.

Then Johnathon Munz, Linda Huddy,

Lifetime care

■ Godolphin Australia’s appointed flagbearer, Kementari, was a special guest at Randwick on July 29, before pursing an offcourse track career.

Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, James Ross, said the Club’s love of the Horse Program was a crucial part of the Industry’s Recognition Day at Randwick.

Mr Ross said: “ Kementari was a popular horse during his racing career, and we are pleased to join with Godolphin to showcasing him to fans as he enjoys a healthy and long retirement”.

Godolphin Australia’s Racing and Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh , said: “The flagbearer program promotes the thoroughbred breed, its versatility and life after racing which complements the GLC program’s objective of creating awareness, passion, and care for the thoroughbred’’.

Lucky horse

The race series is open to all PCA Members aged between 9 and 15 years of age old, with the height of the ponies at 13.3 hh.