The Ville - Spring Summer 23/24

the VILLE

CITY

OF MELVILLE ARTS

Kaya

It’s a privilege to be working on this land. The City of Melville staff pay our respects to the Bibbulmun and Whadjuk communities and thank them for their kindness, care and generosity.

Welcome to The Ville.

Melville is a city of opportunity for artists and audience. Over the last three years we have worked hard to expand our arts and culture programs. We now present a rich and varied offering that engages locally and beyond, and we extend an invitation to all, wherever you live, to come and be a part of it. We’re collaborating with WA’s best artists, performers, and thinkers so you can expand your horizons, be delighted by new talent, and explore your neighbourhood like never before.

Come to Melville Summer Music and listen to some new music in a beautiful parkland setting. Explore exhibitions at our gallery spaces at Goolugatup Heathcote, Yagan Mia Wireless Hill or Canning Bridge Community Space. Who knows, you might find inspiration to create your own work for the Melville Art Awards or write a poem to recite at Melville Storylines.

Enjoy reading The Ville and keep it close across spring and summer. The moment might come when you are looking for something different to do, and the Ville can be your guide.

See you out and about soon in Melville.

Leeann Reid & Pete Stone

City of Melville | Manager Cultural ServiCeS & Creative ProduCer

The City of Melville acknowledges the Bibbulmun people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the City stands today and pays its respects to the Whadjuk people, and Elders both past and present.

City of Melville nagolik Bibbulmen Nyungar ally-maga milgebar gardukung naga boordjar-il narnga allidja yugow yeye wer ali kaanya Whadjack Nyungar wer netingar quadja wer burdik.

SEE OUR CITY THROUGH A NEW LENS THIS SEASON, WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE WHAT YOU DISCOVER.

Above Leann Reid & Pete Stone, captured by Natasja Kremers Cover Bob Evans performs Melville Summer Music 2022, captured by Daniel Njegich

MUSIC P4

Tune into the sounds of summer at our much-anticipated Melville Summer Music series, bringing the best local and touring acts to parklands across the City.

STORIES P8+P16

Immerse yourself in the power of storytelling with the annual Melville Storylines festival, as well as events which celebrate history and bring people together over the sharing of ideas.

CREATIVE ARTS P6+P14

Explore the City’s dynamic arts scene, with thought-provoking exhibitions, vibrant art awards, plus a range of opportunities for artists to develop their practice.

RECONCILIATION

P12

Learn about the City’s important work in strengthening relationships within the community and honouring Noongar culture, history and language.

CALENDAR

A snapshot of the events, exhibitions and programs taking place across spring and summer – plan ahead and bookmark your favourites.

CHILDREN

P18

From exciting science games to historical adventures and creative arts courses, there’s loads of activities for children and young people to explore, learn and play.

A summer of music

Melville Summer Music returns, infusing sun-drenched evenings with world-class musical performances that surprise, captivate and enchant.

There is perhaps no greater joy than soaking up the sounds of a live band as the sun dips below the horizon. Returning for its third year, Melville Summer Music brings the magic of live performance straight to your backyard – with a rollcall of WA’s most exciting acts playing amongst the trees and parklands of Melville’s green spaces.

From up-and-coming indie darlings to jazz ensembles and seasoned rock legends, the sheer diversity of this ten-concert series means you’re bound to discover new, surprising and memorable sounds along the way. Plus, it’s family friendly and free to attend, so pack your picnic blanket and tune into the rhythms of summer.

GIGGING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The thrum of a bass guitar, the delicate murmur of vibrato; it all sounds somehow more poignant when it’s bouncing off the escarpments of Goolugatup Heathcote Lowerlands, or the mighty eucalypts of Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Park.

That’s the one-of-a-kind experience on offer at Melville Summer Music, a roving celebration of community and creativity that weaves through the City’s exquisite natural settings, including Centennial Park in Bullcreek, Piney Lakes Reserve in Winthrop and Kadidjiny Park in Melville.

Attracting audiences from all over the City, each gig offers a rare opportunity to gather and relax amongst neighbours and friends, enjoy delicious fare from Perth’s favourite food-trucks and experience your local park in an entirely new light.

WHERE & WHEN?

Sat 2 Dec | 5–7pm

Davies + The Stamps

A CORNUCOPIA OF SUMMER SOUNDS

Sat 18 Nov | 5–7 pm

Sat 16 Dec | 5–7 pm

BAP! POW!

A taste-making showcase of sounds and styles from all over Western Australia, the Melville Summer Music program is overflowing with talented musicians from across the creative spectrum.

“Diversity is something we all really strive for,” says Melville Summer Music’s co-programmer Duncan Strachan. “We oscillate from world-class bluegrass to Indigenous rock bands to electro-pop and everything in between.”

This year audiences can expect to revel in a high-octane bluegrass showdown between The Hamilton Hillbillies and Bluegrass Parkway, dance the afternoon away with local legends Boom! Bap! Pow! and enjoy a special show from ex Jam-Tart Jody Bell, returning home with her harmony driven, swampy pop band, BOOF.

Expect a season of jam-packed and exciting shows, with a host of new acts showcasing the incredible musicians that live and create in Western Australia, and further afield.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: ARTEMIS ORCHESTRA

On the line-up this year is the sensational 18-piece jazz ensemble Artemis Orchestra. Founded by local saxophonist Gemma Farrell, the ensemble provides a platform for people of marginalised genders to perform, hoping to change the fact that less than a quarter of all professional jazz musicians worldwide are women.

Piney Lakes Reserve

Sat 13 Jan | 5–7 pm

Timothy Nelson Band Sat 27 Jan | 5–7 pm Hamilton Hillbillies vs Bluegrass Parkway

Centennial Park

Sat 24 Feb | 5–7pm Myths + Curley

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to play such an accessible gig, where people can bring their kids and their dogs in a relaxed and welcoming environment,” Gemma says.

Kadidjiny Park

Sat 9 Mar | 5–7 pm

Kankawa Nagarra (Olive Knight) + Flooded Palace

Sat 23 Mar | 5–7 pm BOOF

“I hope young girls, trans or non-binary people in the audience will walk away from our performance thinking, “I could play jazz”. And I hope the local community will be reminded how much great talent there is here in Perth.”

Melville Summer Music is a free event. To find out more, visit melvillecity.com.au/melvillesummermusic

MELVILLE SUMMER MUSIC SHOWCASES

THE BEST OF OUR CITY, BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST LOCAL BANDS, OUR BEAUTIFUL PARKS AND A GENUINE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

A celebration of WA artists

Featuring over 100 emerging and established artists, the Melville Art Awards is a spectacular display of creativity from across Western Australia – proudly placing art and community centre stage.

From colour-soaked paintings to evocative landscape photographs and delicate ceramic vessels, the Melville Art Awards showcases the richness and diversity of contemporary art practice in WA. Now in its 47th year, the exhibition provides a platform for artists to share their stories, spark conversations and take their practice to the next level.

With more than 400 applicants and up to 130 finalists in the Awards each year, the work on display is of an exceptionally high calibre. But what makes the Melville Art Awards truly special is the inclusivity it embraces.

“The Awards provide opportunities for artists to exhibit for the very first time, right through to professional artists,” says Yvonne Doherty, Visual Arts Curator at the City of Melville.

“The diverse variety of works and mediums offer audiences a really exciting and dynamic show.”

A driving force behind the Melville Art Awards in its near 50-year history has been supporting and fostering the careers of Western Australian artists. The Awards enable artists to exhibit work to a wide audience, while also recognising exceptional achievement with more than 12 individual awards.

According to Charmaine Ball, winner of the overall prize in 2022, “There’s been significantly more interest shown in my work of late, and I would say winning the award has absolutely helped. It’s given me confidence to push the boundaries in my practice and be a bit more experimental.”

In keeping with the Awards’ commitment to inclusivity, alongside the major acquisitive award there are awards specifically for artists who live in Melville, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and young artists, as well as a Popular Choice Award which visitors can vote for throughout the exhibition period.

To find out more about the Awards, the pop-up café during the exhibition dates and the public program, visit melvillecity.com.au/ melvilleartawards

I LOVE SEEING AUDIENCES ENGAGE WITH THE WORK AND GET INSPIRED TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE THEIR THOUGHTS. THERE ARE ALWAYS VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS IN THE GALLERY!

y vonne d oherty, a rt Colle C tion Curator

Opportunities for artists

Dedicated to fostering a thriving creative community, the City of Melville offers a range of opportunities to help artists build their careers and contribute to the City’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Art enriches the fabric of our community. Whether it’s colourful wall murals, thought-provoking exhibitions or libraries brimming with stories – it enhances our public spaces, while fostering connection and community spirit. The City is committed to investing in artists’ careers with a range of career-boosting opportunities, so they can continue to tell their stories.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Melville offers affordable professional development workshops for artists to refine their skills and develop their business acumen. Running throughout the year, topics have ranged from public art commissions to social media for creatives, how to price your artwork and writing artist statements.

Also on offer are a series of Creative Melville networking events, providing a platform for like-minded artists to get together in a relaxed, informal setting, while sharing knowledge and ideas, and building their professional circle.

STUDIOS AND RESIDENCIES

Having the space to create, experiment and collaborate is essential to artistic practice. The City offers a number of residency opportunities including the Creative Lab Residency at AH Bracks Library + Creative Space and the evolving Hickey Street Cottages Creative Residency program. Both are open to artists whose practice suits the spaces and provide a platform for practitioners to explore ideas while engaging with the community.

Goolugatup Heathcote Gallery also has a long-running studio program, with its five heritage buildings accommodating dozens of professional artists, not-for-profits, and creative small businesses.

EXHIBITIONS

Visual artists can showcase and sell their work at the Weekender Art Shows at the Canning Bridge Community Space. Welcoming amateur, emerging and established artists working across all mediums, it’s an ideal space for sharing ideas and road-testing concepts outside an established gallery.

Goolugatup Heathcote offers a vibrant program of exhibitions and accepts proposals from artists year-round. Emerging and established artists are invited to express their interest, as are curators, institutions, and touring shows, with applications assessed once a year by a panel of industry experts.

ART PRIZES + PROGRAMS

Entering an art prize is a great way to take your career to the next level – by gaining exposure to new audiences and having your talents recognised by industry experts. Goolugatup’s Digital Art Program promotes contemporary visual art that engages with digital technology, awarding a $15,000 commission to produce a new exhibition at the gallery in 2024.

Also at Goolugatup, Melville Contemporary is a biennial art prize for experimental art which awards commissions to six Western Australian artists for a group exhibition, while the Melville Art Awards invite emerging and established artists to showcase their work at Wireless Hill Museum, with a total prize pool of over $16,000.

To find out more about the artist opportunities, visit melvillecity.com.au/artistopportunities

Opposite Melville Art Awards 2022 opening night, captured by Miles Noel

Above from left Melville Art Awards 2022 exhibition, captured by Miles Noel Shavaurn Hanson in front of her Canning Bridge 2.0 Mural, captured by Natasja Kremers

WHETHER YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT OR YOU’RE AN ESTABLISHED ARTIST, THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW. I FELT SO SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGED ALONG THE WAY, IT’S BEEN FANTASTIC.

WHERE & WHEN?

ARMY

FREE

AI and creativity – friend or foe? Delve into the good, bad and the ugly of this game-changing technology.

MY GREATEST PERIOD EVER Tivoli Theatre Sat 14 Oct | 5pm TICKETED Join period preacher, musician and storyteller Lucy Peach for this familyfriendly show.

DISRUPT, DECONSTRUCT, DECOLONISE

AH Bracks Library + Creative Space Sat 14 Oct | 10.30pm

FREE Explore reading as a political act – expand your reading list and your thinking with Rashida Murphy.

THE VILLE PODCAST On the LiSTNR app or your favourite podcast platform. Launching 9 Oct

FREE Dive deep into the lives of local creatives, their work and inspiration. Hosted by the Creative Melville team at the City of Melville.

Taking stories to the streets

From storytelling under the stars to poetry in the pub, Melville Storylines is a celebration of human imagination and creativity – with a captivating line-up of more than 30 events across the City.

Sometimes, the best stories are found in the places you least expect. Like stumbling upon a small-but-mighty character named Rose, leaning against a light pole in the park, with a scruffy black mop of hair and a story to tell.

Rose is the brainchild of Janine Browne, a celebrated local artist and poet who is creating a series of hand-drawn characters which will be pasted-up in parks across the city for Melville Storylines – a month-long festival celebrating story in all its forms.

“My characters are often a bit odd and quirky, and a little bit magical,” says Janine. “There’ll be an entire army of them hidden in parks throughout Melville, inviting families to discover stories which celebrate difference, losing and finding your way, imagination and valuing who you are.”

Returning for its second year, in 2023 Melville Storylines brings together distinguished artists, writers, novelists and thinkers, offering an array of writing workshops, lively panel discussions, spoken word performances, art installations, music and family events. This year’s events will include ‘Stories You Need to Know – My Greatest Period Ever’ family show by prominent author, educator and musician Lucy Peach.

Across the festival are a number of events which unfold in surprising locations, including ‘Stories with the Stars’, an evening of storytelling under the night sky with special guests from the Perth Observatory. Enjoy a series of space-themed stories, before turning your gaze to the twinkling canopy above, spotting beautiful nebulas and enormous star clusters, as well as Jupiter and Saturn through telescopes on site.

Discover the new frontier of storytelling at the panel discussion ‘AI and Creativity – friend or foe? Chaired by notable journalist and CEO of Writing WA, Will Yeoman, the panel will delve into the good, the bad and the ugly of artificial intelligence and how it will impact the world of literature.

After a highly successful outing in 2022, ‘Poetry @ the Pub’ will return in 2023, bringing delightful prose to Clancy’s Fish Pub in Canning Bridge – as seasoned and emerging poets take the stage to share their words. For more literary pub adventures, don’t miss ‘Stories on Tap’ hosted at the Leopold Hotel, where Perth historian Eddie Marcus will divulge on the history of drinking establishments in Melville.

And finally, at ‘Disrupt, Deconstruct, Decolonise’ celebrated Australian author Rashida Murphy will illuminate the art of reading as a political act – highlighting titles which amplify the voices and histories of marginalised people, as well as authors and thinkers who are moving society forward.

To see the full line-up of events and book your place, visit melvillecity.com.au/storylines

I BELIEVE STORIES ARE IMPORTANT. I WANT PEOPLE TO BE DELIGHTED AND SADDENED, AND HAVE THEIR IDEAS EXTENDED AND PRECONCEPTIONS CHALLENGED. MELVILLE STORYLINES IS THE PERFECT PLATFORM FOR THIS.

Opposite top Janine Browne and the Army of Ink in their home studio, captured by Natasja Kremers

Opposite bottom Will Yeoman, Rashida Murphy, Janine Browne and Lucy Peach, captured by Natasja Kremers for Melville Storylines 2023

OCTOBER

Garden + Sound Sessions

Private gardens of Melville

Sun 1 Oct | 10am–12noon

TICKETED

Step down the garden path to discover the stories of local gardens and enjoy the sounds of musicians. | See page 16

Army of Ink – Street Art

Parks of Melville

Sun 1 Oct 2023–Sun 31 Mar 2024

FREE

Sometimes the stories we tell ourselves are the most powerful. Find the Army of Ink across the parks of Melville, discover their stories of difference and strength. A special project by writer and artist Janine Browne, that puts story at the centre of everything, spreading hope and kindness along the way.

| See pages 8–9

Stories on Tap

Leopold Hotel

Tues 3 Oct | 6pm

FREE

Join legendary Perth historian and master of dry architectural humour, Eddie Marcus in this exploration of the unique history of drinking establishments in the City of Melville. | See pages 8–9

Stories We Should Know:

My Greatest Period Ever

Tivoli Theatre

Sat 14 Oct | 5pm

TICKETED

Join period preacher, musician and storyteller Lucy Peach in this warm, funny and family-friendly show as it comes to Melville to edutain one and all about the four hormonal phases of the menstrual cycle. | See pages 8–9

Melville Art Awards

Wireless Hill Museum

Opening Fri 20 Oct | 6pm

Exhibition runs until Sun 12 Nov

FREE

The 47th annual Art Awards exhibition showcases artworks by emerging and establish Western Australian artists, including local talent living in the City of Melville. | See page 6

Panel: Romancing the Page

AH Bracks Library + Creative Space

Sun 10 Oct | 3–4.30pm

FREE

Romance novels are consistently a top-selling genre, so why have romance books often been considered a guilty pleasure? Join authors Rachael Johns, Sasha Wasley, Fiona Palmer and Monique Mulligan for a lively chat that gets to the heart and how-tos of romancing the page. | See pages 8–9

Breakfast with a side of...

Object Writing

Mandoon Helena –Goolugatup Heathcote

Tues 10 Oct | 7–8.30am

TICKETED

Breakie with a difference – Exercise your creativity with Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) in a workshop designed to sharpen the senses and hone creative writing skills. | See pages 8–9

Art Club

Term 4 | Thursday | 3.45–5pm

TICKETED

A term-based, after-school program for young creatives. Led by a different WA artist each term; join the club, make art and explore the creative practice.

The Object and the Objectified Life Drawing

Wireless Hill Cottage

Wed 25 Oct | 7pm

TICKETED

Join Jane Hebiton and Gordon Mitchell for life drawing as they guide you through the process with dollops of creative confidence and humour.

Art School

School Holidays

Sat 23 Sept–Sun 8 Oct

TICKETED

Young creatives work with different artists in these short, fun, one-of-a-kind school holiday workshops.

SHOWING PRIDE | 4–26 NOV

AN UNEXPECTED PARTY

AH Bracks Library +

Creative Space

Sun 5 Nov | 3-4.30pm

FREE

Come along and hear emerging authors from the LGBTQIA+ community whose stories are brought together in An Unexpected Party. This anthology of speculative fiction takes queer protagonists outside the box of young adult romance and centres them at the heart of stories that involve magic, paranormal beings and adventure.

NOVEMBER

TILT

Goolugatup Heathcote

Opening Fri 3 Nov | 6pm

Exhibition runs until 2024

FREE

TILT is a site-responsive exhibition that explores the history of Goolugatup through the lens of a new artist each year. Curated in 2023 by Brent Harrison, featuring the work of multidisciplinary artists Lisa Liebetrau and Shannon Lyons. | See page 14–15

Goolugatup Sounds

Goolugatup Heathcote

Fri 3 Nov | 7pm

FREE

Featuring Scratching, Marcus Whale (NSW) and Laura Altman (NSW) in an innovative live music performance alongside the TILT opening.

Melville Summer Music

Goolugatup Heathcote Lowerlands

Sat 4 Nov | 5–7pm

FREE

Artemis Orchestra | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See pages 4–5

Garden + Sound Sessions

Private gardens of Melville

Sun 5 Nov | 10am–12noon

Sun 19 Nov | 10am–12noon

TICKETED

Step down the garden path to discover the stories of local gardens and enjoy the sounds of musicians. | See page 16

Kooranup

Dyoondalup / Attadale Reserve

Fri 10 Nov and Sat 11 Nov | 7pm

FREE

Artist Ilona McGuire and Fremantle Biennale returns with the sequel to acclaimed drone, light and sound experience Moombaki. Created by Ilona and artist Yabini Kickett and guided by Whadjuk Noongar traditional owners. Come along to learn stories of place in this enchanting experience.

Melville Summer Music

Goolugatup Heathcote Lowerlands

Sat 18 Nov | 5–7pm

FREE

Queency + Nika Mo | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See page 4–5

Pride Week

Wireless Hill Museum

Sat 18 Nov–Sun 26 Nov

FREE + TICKETED

Join Pride Week celebrations at Wireless Hill with a pop-up exhibition and program of events to tell the story of, and celebrate the amazing LGBTQIA+ community in WA.

Rotary Jacaranda Festival

Applecross Village

Sun 19 Nov | 9.30am–3.30pm

FREE

Ardross Street in the heart of Applecross Village comes alive in this family-friendly day of fantastic fun, entertainment and celebration of community thanks to Applecross Rotary.

Duet at the Hill

Wireless Hill Museum

Sun 19 Nov | 2–3pm

FREE

Embark on a journey through Perth’s classical music scene with dynamic duo Andy and Nery as their harmonious fusion redefines the very essence of classical music, enveloping the audience in a realm of exquisite beauty and resonance.

Tender is the Night

Goolugatup Heathcote

Sun 26 Nov | 6pm

TICKETED

Featuring special guests, Abbe May and Oceanique with the Tender Strings Quartet in an intimate and beautiful performance. Bring a picnic.

Birak Art Box

Delivered to your door | Preorder School Holidays Fri 15 Dec

TICKETED

Unpack a box of fun with creative activities from WA artists. For children aged 5–12.

To see all events taking place, visit melvillecity.com.au/showingpride

AUTHOR IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIELLE LAIDLEY

AH Bracks Library +

Creative Space

Thu 9 Nov | 6.45–8pm

TICKETED

Hear transgender advocate and former AFL player Danielle Laidley talk about her memoir Don’t Look Away. This is an unflinching account of what it’s like to know you don’t fit the body you were born into and the courage it takes to step into the world as Danielle May.

PRIDE PANEL

Wireless Hill Museum

Tue 21 Nov | 7–8.30pm

TICKETED

Pride is about celebrating the progress of the LGBTQIA+ community and it’s about the change that still needs to happen in order to make sure everyone feels safe, comfortable and happy. Listen in to a panel of leading members of the LGBTQIA+ community share their stories.

PRIDE QUIZ

Wireless Hill Museum

Wed 22 Nov | 7–9.30pm

TICKETED

Drag and trivia! Name a better combo – we’ll wait. Join us for some good old fun! A great opportunity to show off your trivia skills and maybe learn a thing or two by our Quizmaster, Mistress Bubbles and super special drag host Prism of Light.

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

Yagan Mia Wireless Hill

Thu 23 Nov | 7pm

FREE

There is nothing like a movie under the stars. Bring along a picnic and blankets and relax in the beauty of Yagan Mia Wireless Hill while enjoying the cult classic Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!

DECEMBER

Melville Summer Music

Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Park

Sat 2 Dec | 5–7pm

FREE

Jack Davies + The Stamps | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See pages 4–5

Television News: From Analogue to Algorithm

Wireless Hill Museum

Opening Sat 3 Dec | 3pm

Exhibition runs until Sun 31 Mar

FREE

Explore how television news has changed since its introduction in WA through to the modern day consumption of news. Featuring rare artefacts and a working news desk, this interactive exhibition has something for everyone.

| See page 17

Garden + Sound Sessions

Private gardens of Melville

Sun 3 Dec | 10am–12noon

TICKETED

Step down the garden path to discover the stories of local gardens and enjoy the sounds of musicians. | See page 16

Melville Summer Music

Yagan Mia Wireless Hill Park

Sat 16 Dec | 5–7pm

FREE

BOOM! BAP! POW! | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See pages 4–5

Perth Makers Market

Goolugatup Heathcote

Sun 17 Dec | 9.30am–3.30pm

FREE Buy your festive gifts locally at WA’s premier handmade market featuring over 150 incredible local vendors, live music, delicious food, and a great atmosphere for the whole family.

JANUARY

School Holiday Fun

AH Bracks Library + Creative Space

Willagee, Bull Creek and Civic Square

Libraries and Wireless Hill Museum

School Holidays Mon 8 Jan–Sun 28

Jan FREE + TICKETED

Create, learn and be inspired at Melville Libraries and Museums these school holidays. Sign up to the library e-News for program release and to book in for these popular workshops.

Art School

Goolugatup Heathcote

School Holidays

Mon 8 Jan–Sun 28 Jan

TICKETED

Join TILT artist Shannon Lyons in a series of school holiday workshops exploring the nuances of Goolugatup’s history through the built and natural environment.

Melville Summer Music

Piney Lakes Reserve

Sat 13 Jan | 5–7pm

FREE

Timothy Nelson Band | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See pages 4–5

February–March

Program Release Libraries + Museums Events

Wed 17 Jan

FREE

Head down to your favourite library to grab your copy of the Melville Libraries and Museums events brochure. It’s full of exciting, unusual, creative, informative, and fun events and workshops!

Melville Summer Music

Piney Lakes Reserve

Sat 27 Jan | 5–7pm

FREE

Hamilton Hillbillies vs Bluegrass

Parkway | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy.

| See pages 4–5

FEBRUARY

Melville Summer Music

Centennial Park

Sat 10 Feb | 5–7pm

FREE

Thornbird | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy.

| See pages 4–5

thoughts are metallic they melt in salt water

Goolugatup Heathcote

Opening Fri 16 Feb | 6pm

Exhibition runs until Sun 7 Apr

FREE

As part of the Perth Festival, artist Tom Blake presents a rhythmic, reflective exhibition comprising new cyanotypes, wire drawings, de-silvered mirrors and video art. Blake arranges works to evoke themes of opacity, time, disintegration, touch, reflection and the potential for the chaotic within apparent moments of stillness.

The Longest Echo

Goolugatup Heathcote

Opening Fri 16 Feb | 6pm

Exhibition runs until Sun 7 Apr

FREE

Featuring ceramic, audio installation, and performance from artists Mayma Awaida and Emilie Monty. Translating their ceramic practice into performance, gifting artworks to the public in exchange for the recording of voice-note offerings which are then integrated into ceramic listening vessels, accumulating and sharing new stories over the duration of the exhibition.

Goolugatup Sounds

Goolugatup Heathcote

Fri 16 Feb | 7pm

FREE

An innovative live music program, presented alongside exhibition openings to expand and delight your musical imaginings.

Melville Summer Music

Centennial Park

Sat 24 Feb | 5–7pm

FREE

Myths + Curley | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy.

| See pages 4–5

Art Club Term 1 | Weekly | 3.45–5pm

TICKETED

A term-based, after-school program for young creatives. Led by a different WA artist each term; join the club, make art and explore the creative practice.

MARCH

Melville Summer Music

Kadidjiny Park

Sat 9 Mar | 5–7pm

FREE

Kankawa Nagarra (Olive Knight)

+ Flooded Palace | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy. | See pages 4–5

Tender is the Night

Goolugatup Heathcote

Sun 10 Mar | 6pm

TICKETED

Featuring special guests, Dan Howls & Albert Pritchard (New Nausia) with the Tender Strings Quartet in an intimate and beautiful performance. Bring a picnic.

April–May Program Release

Libraries + Museums Events

Wed 13 Mar

FREE

Head down to your favourite library to grab your copy of the Melville Libraries and Museums events brochure. It’s full of exciting, unusual, creative, informative, and fun events and workshops!

Melville Summer Music

Kadidjiny Park

Sat 23 Mar | 5–7pm

FREE

BOOF | Free music in the parks of Melville for the whole family to enjoy.

| See pages 4–5

Art School School Holidays

Fri 29 March–Sun 14 April

TICKETED

Young creatives work with different artists in these short, fun, one-of-a-kind school holiday workshops.

School Holiday Fun

AH Bracks Library + Creative Space

Willagee, Bull Creek and Civic Square Libraries and Wireless Hill Museum

School Holidays

Tue 2 Apr–Sun 14 Apr

FREE + TICKETED

Create, learn and be inspired at Melville Libraries and Museums these school holidays. Sign up to the library e-News for program release and to book in for these popular workshops.

Above from left Melville Art Awards, captured

by Miles Noel | Danielle Laidley appearing as

part of Showing Pride | Goolugatup Sounds,

captured by Dan Grant

SELECTED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS LISTED ABOVE. PLEASE VISIT MELVILLECITY.COM.AU FOR FULL ARTS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND LOCAL HISTORY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.

Stronger together

It is said that libraries are the heart of the community, and there’s perhaps no place where this rings truer than Willagee. Here, Jennifer Bawden, Team Leader Libraries, and Aimee Ryan, Acting First Nations Engagement Coordinator at the adjacent Willagee Community Centre, have collaborated to build a safe, nurturing environment for young people – and they’re seeing some amazing results.

Every day after school, an average of 30 students attend the youth drop-in program to access support and mentoring with schoolwork and personal development. With the guidance of First Nations role models, the program offers fun workshops from cooking to music, art and sport to explore and build new skills.

“Some of the kids we see do face obstacles, so our programs are designed to provide a bit of extra support,” Jennifer explains.

“The ultimate outcome is seeing students who’ve been coming to the library for years go on to gain employment after school. It’s wonderful to be a part of that process.”

As Acting First Nations Engagement Coordinator, Aimee works with Jennifer on the youth drop-in program, while running a range of other initiatives across the city. From boxing workshops to cultural experiences on Country, her remit is dynamic and everchanging, but it’s the relationships that make it all worthwhile.

“I love being able to work with First Nations people directly, both in the community and in my team,” Aimee says. “It’s amazing to see the kids engage with us in a positive way, and to know we are making a difference in their lives.”

Pooling their resources across the Library and Community Centre, Jennifer and Aimee have developed a meaningful partnership and earned a reputation as leaders in youth engagement in the local government sector.

“I’m really lucky that Jen is part of our team,” Aimee says. “She really understands the First Nations community in Willagee. Some of the kids call her Aunty Jenny because they love her so much. That’s a sign of respect in our culture.”

“Aimee has really changed things up since she started,” Jennifer says. “She sees things with fresh eyes and she’s a strong, driven person. I couldn’t ask for a better colleague.”

The Willagee Library will be temporarily relocating services to the Community Centre whilst the library undergoes refurbishment. For updates, visit melvillecity.com.au/libraries

Below Aimee Ryan & Jennifer Bawden outside the Willagee Community Centre & Library, captured by Natasja Kremers

Working side-by-side at Willagee Library and Community Centre, Jennifer Bawden and Aimee Ryan have forged a dynamic partnership, bound by a shared love of supporting young people to flourish.

Decoding ancient Noongar place names

A visionary, community-led model, the Place Names Melville project is working closely with local Elders to identify, celebrate and revive Noongar names across the City.

Many would be familiar with the sweeping city views at Goolugatup Heathcote, but perhaps few might know that it was once a place for teaching First Nations children, known as Kulungar Kuditj (children’s learning place). Or that Willagee was a significant site for sourcing red-ochre used in traditional ceremonies.

These incredible stories are being unearthed in Place Names Melville, a reconciliation project initiated by the City of Melville which reveals the ancient meaning embedded in Noongar place names, in partnership with the local Noongar community, Community Arts Network (CAN) and Moodjar Consultancy.

Taking place in 2022, stage one of the project saw the decoding of three place names including Willagee, Goolugatup (Heathcote) and Jenalup (Blackwall Reach), and culminated in an exhibition at Goolugatup Heathcote to celebrate the rich historical learnings. After receiving a Lotterywest grant, the City of Melville, CAN and Moodjar Consultancy are now rolling out stage two, researching and identifying a further 15 Noongar places names.

To learn more about the project and the place names being revealed, visit melvillecity.com.au/placenamesmelville

Above Geri Hayden with Elder Elizabeth Hayden holding a smoking ceremony, captured by Hugh Sando

PLACE NAMES MELVILLE IS A MEANS FOR THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR DEEP CONNECTION TO THE LAND, BUT IT’S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE CULTURE THAT THRIVED HERE LONG BEFORE SETTLEMENT.

n oelene Mantellato, Pla

Melville Proje C t Coordinator

Reading the room

In TILT at Goolugatup Heathcote, artists

Lisa Liebetrau and Shannon Lyons weave together poetic installations and social commentary, offering a poignant glimpse into the site’s layered history.

At its very best, art helps us gain a new perspective. It challenges our preconceptions, dismantles prejudices and stereotypes, and invites reflection on how far, or how little, society has progressed.

A cornerstone of Goolugatup Heathcote’s program, TILT is an annual exhibition which invites artists to create new work engaging with the complex history of the site. Each year, artists delve into centuries-old written and oral records – illuminating hidden histories of Goolugatup as a significant place for First Nations people, a mental health institution and today, a cultural precinct in an affluent postcode.

Curated by Brent Harrison, the 2023 edition features multidisciplinary artists Lisa Liebetrau and Shannon Lyons. Working across painting, sculpture and installation, their works explore the caregiving environment and relationships between the nurses and patients at the former Point Heathcote Mental Reception Home.

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Built in the 1940s as a treatment area, Swan Ward now has an entirely different purpose as Goolugatup Heathcote’s Gallery. For TILT, Lisa Liebetrau is restoring the space to its former glory: “The gallery will be altered so that when visitors come in, they are immersed in past memories,” she explains.

Above from left Paintings by Shannon Lyons, historical research material from the TILT Artist Residency, Shannon Lyons, Brent Harrison & Lisa Liebetrau, captured at Goolugatup Heathcote by Natasja Kremers

Across various nostalgic installations, Lisa’s work explores the often-overlooked topic of the mental health of nurses. Among them is a replica of the window dividing the Swan Ward and the nurses’ break room. Comprising a two-way acrylic mirror, the work suggests that the division between nurse and patient isn’t as great as it might appear.

Also on display is the nurses’ tea trolley, an integral part of their wellbeing on the job, and a heartrending poem written by a nurse in 1907, which shares her fears about burn-out and exhaustion.

“I’m interested in exploring the mental health impacts of caregiving roles, which are statistically more likely to be taken up by women,” Lisa says. “The struggles they experienced are not that far removed from what nurses are going through today.”

A CULTURE OF TEA-DRINKING

When artist Shannon Lyons started researching the history of mental health care at Goolugatup, it was a charming handdrawn poster that sparked her curiosity.

“I came across a poster that said, “tea and coffee, 10 cents” and I responded quite viscerally to that,” Shannon says. “There was a huge culture of tea-drinking at Heathcote. From the minute the patients would get up to the minute they went to bed, they were drinking tea.”

Shannon set out to create a series of abstract watercolours with paint she made using tea leaves to create soft hues of brown, beige and pink. Depicting tiles and brickwork from the original buildings, the works also reference the history of tea as a medicinal drink, and the resurgence of functional teas in today’s booming wellness industry.

WHERE & WHEN?

“There’s a commonly held belief that the act of drinking a cup of sweet tea can help treat emotional or ‘everyday’ shock,” Shannon explains. “The works are imbued with this idea of hospitality and care which existed in day-to-day life at Heathcote, while also acknowledging the darker undertones of the patients’ experience.”

To learn more about upcoming exhibitions and special events at Goolugatup Heathcote, visit goolugatup.com

TILT ENABLES AUDIENCES TO GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF GOOLUGATUP’S RICH HISTORY, WITH EXPERIMENTAL, SITE-RESPONSIVE ART BY SOME OF WA’S LEADING PRACTITIONERS.

WHERE & WHEN?

Behind the garden gate

In this immersive new event series, head down the garden path with local green-thumb Casey Lister and discover the most idyllic backyards and green spaces flourishing amongst suburban streets.

Leafy sanctuaries overflowing with wildlife. Luscious, open landscaping. Blooming verge gardens and edible plants speckled with diverse insects.

These are just a few of the green spaces Casey Lister is eager to explore when she guest curates Garden and Sound Sessions, a new event series which invites visitors to go beyond the picket fence and immerse themselves in the art and science of gardening.

A celebrated gardening coach and recipe designer, Casey has joined forces with the City of Melville to find the area’s most distinctive and abundant backyards, ripe with new discoveries for both seasoned horticulturalists and aspiring growers.

At each session, visitors will enjoy lively talks about gardening, landscaping and design, alongside acoustic music sets, refreshments and conversation. And of course, a chance to meet the gardener behind each backyard, to discover their vision and what fuels their labour of love.

“I’ve always loved the quote, ‘For a space to be a garden, it simply must have a gardener who loves it’,” Casey says. “I’m excited to meet gardeners who are really passionate about the place they’ve built.”

Driven to help people discover the rewards of growing, Casey hopes the event will remind people of the joys of being in nature and offer inspiration and ideas to build their own patch of paradise at home.

“I think being in nature touches on something that’s really innate in us that we have kind of forgotten,” Casey says. “I hope people leave feeling really motivated and inspired to try new things in their own space.”

To see the full program and book your ticket, visit melvillecity.com.au/gardensessions

Above Casey Lister, pictured in the opening garden of the series, captured by Natasja Kremers

The bigger picture

Step into the captivating world of broadcast news at ‘Television News | From Analogue to Algorithm’, an exhibition at Wireless Hill Museum that journeys through Western Australia’s remarkable telecast heritage.

On 16 October 1959, TVW became the first station in WA to commence broadcasting. Thousands descended on Perth’s CBD to view the inaugural telecast as Governor Sir Charles Gairdner officially opened the station, stating: “television is bound to profoundly change the lives of all in WA.” And how right he was.

The evolution of news broadcasting in WA, from its humble beginnings to the 24-hour news cycle that dominates our screens today, is brought to life in vibrant technicolour at Television News

| From Analogue to Algorithm — an exhibition of TV memorabilia presented in partnership with Pictures in Motion, Western Australia’s Museum of Film and Television.

“The exhibition is an exploration of TV news through the ages in WA,” says Tim O’Dea, President of Pictures in Motion. “From black and white film through to colour film and electronic newsgathering, it explores not only how the news was gathered but how it was presented.”

Showcasing a bounty of rare artefacts, including original equipment from TVW and ABC’s first WA broadcasts, the exhibition will feature a news set with operating cameras, where visitors can have a go at being a news anchor.

To learn more about upcoming exhibitions and events at Wireless Hill Museum, visit melvillecity.com.au/wirelesshillmuseum

THIS INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION HAS A LOT TO SHOW AND TELL ABOUT HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF TV NEWS. FROM THE CAMERAS IN THE

Artful adventures for budding scientists

From coding workshops to edible science, Melville’s Creative Learning team have crafted a vibrant program of activities for the budding engineer, computer whiz or inventor in your family.

Across Melville’s five libraries, Creative Learning Producer Samantha Probett has devised a host of fun-filled STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths) activities, enabling children to explore their natural curiosity, develop problem solving skills and think outside the box.

At the Tiny Tinkers program, children aged 3–5 can learn the building blocks of coding using the Tale-Bot, an adorable robot which sings, dances and talks on demand. The libraries are also introducing coding programs for older kids, with a range of educational Kubo and Edison Robots, designed for 6–10 and 7–12 year olds respectively.

“The robots are designed to teach early coding language and computational thinking,” Samantha explains. “So that when they get into school and they start moving into scratch programming and things like that, the basic understanding is there.”

Children can also have a go at the Makey Makey, a STEAM kit that turns everyday items into keyboards and game controllers, bringing engineering and coding concepts to life in exciting new ways. And the popular Edible Science workshops offer little chefs the chance to discover the science of cooking by baking and experimenting with a range of ingredients.

To find out more about the library creative learning programs and special events, visit melvillecity.com.au/libraries

I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT GETTING KIDS INVOLVED WITH STEAM. IT ENCOURAGES CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING – SKILLS THAT ARE FANTASTIC BUILDING BLOCKS FOR SCHOOL, BUT ALSO FOR LIFE. THERE’S A LOT OF LEARNING BY ACCIDENT AND I THINK THAT’S WHERE KIDS THRIVE.

Above Tale Bot and KUBO robots in action, captured by Natasja Kremers Opposite Museum Learning Program, captured by Natasja Kremers

Exciting encounters with history

From historical adventures that transport young minds to the past to hands-on workshops with local artists, the Museum Learning Program is thoughtfully crafted to engage children and young adults in culture, science, history and geography.

“This year has been a whirlwind of blazing new creative trails for the museums’ learning and youth programming,” says Kaitlyn Elsegood, Creative Learning Producer – Museums. “We’ve expanded our historical offerings, while developing a number of exciting collaborations with artists, musicians and presenters through our school holiday programs.”

An innovative project with local schools will see notable and notorious historical figures immortalised through the launch of ‘Melvistories | A pack of stories in the palm of your hand’, as part of Melville Storylines. Featuring students’ artworks and the story of each character, they will be available as a historical resource for schools and the community.

Also on display at the launch, will be the incredible collages detailing historical events, created by students from Winterfold Engagement Centre, who’ve been working with the learning program about first contact between Yagan, Midgegooroo and Swan River Colonists.

For full details and to book into children’s creative learning programs and events, visit melvillecity.com.au/museumlearning

Designed to spark imaginations and nurture a passion for discovery, the City’s Museum Learning Program offers an array of enriching activities that make learning fun.