Regional Extra 190624

June 19 - 25, 2024

Exploring Beechworth’s history through art

NINA Machielse Hunt ‘s passion for the arts was nurtured by family when growing up and has led her on an incredible journey.

Nina went from developing her own artistic profession, remote and international teaching, working at the Brett Whiteley Studio, working with First Nations artists in communities to opening an art gallery and instigating the Beechworth Biennale event.

By CORAL COOKSLEY

“Art, music and culture was greatly valued by my parents...whilst travelling we always visited museums and galleries - my dad is Dutch, so maybe there was a European influence on my artistic endeavours too,” she said.

Nina undertook university studies at the College of Fine Arts, now known as UNSW Art and Design, majoring in painting and education but also studying performance sound video and photography, graduating as a top student.

“I was offered a permanent teaching position in Broken Hill and found myself as a

22-year-old teaching art, dance and drama to students not much younger than myself,” she said.

“I was fortunate to be involved in a large regional reconciliation festival and it was fantastic to help design and oversee the event.

“The time spent in the Broken Hill region was life-changing and I’ve been an advocate for Indigenous and rural communities since then.

“I began to learn about our First Nations peoples and gain knowledge about culture and community.

“A highlight was when acclaimed Bangarra Dance Company visited and worked with my dance students.”

After successfully attaining a master’s degree by studying at night whilst teaching during the day, Nina left a Sydney teaching position and moved to a remote Aboriginal Art Centre in the Northern Territory.

More recently she volunteered at another art gallery in North East Arnhem Land prior to relocating with her family to Beechworth.

■ Continued page 6

VET

Common wombat

THE common wombat is the largest burrowing herbivorous mammal.

Indeed, it is such an accomplished burrower that early settlers called it a ‘badger’, a term that is still heard today.

However, the closest relative of the wombat is, in fact, the koala.

With its short tail and legs, characteristic waddle and ‘cuddly’ appearance, the wombat is one of the most endearing of Australia’s native animals.

Wombats are nocturnal, solitary animals occurring in a wide variety of habitats throughout Australia.

They live in burrows that can be up to 30 metres long and they may share these with other wombats although they are very territorial with their feeding grounds.

Wombats usually stay in their burrows during the day, they normally come out at night to feed although they can be seen out early in the morning and at dusk and they’ll travel up to 3 kilometres a night looking for food.

At the time of European settlement, the common wombat was wide spread from south eastern Queensland, through New South Wales along the Great Dividing Range to most of Victoria (except the north western corner of the state).

It was also present in the southeast of South Australia, in Tasmania and on many of the larger Bass Strait Islands.

Today the species has a discontinued and fragmented distribution.

It has almost disappeared from the western half of Victoria and it is absent from many parts of New South Wales where it formerly ranged.

There are two other species of wom-

with FNPW - Backyard buddies

bat, both found on mainland Australia –the southern hairy-nosed wombat and the threatened northern hairy-nosed wombat.

Sadly, many wombats suffer from mange, which is caused when mites burrow under the wombat’s skin.

Symptoms include fur loss, crusty and itchy skin, constant thirst and hunger, diminished vision and hearing.

If left untreated mange can result in a slow, painful death.

If you see a wombat potentially suffering from mange, please contact your local wildlife organisation to organise an assessment.

Sometimes injuries from animal attacks can be incorrectly thought to be mange and it’s critical to make sure the wombat is being treated correctly.

This Day in History, 1935

THE BARROW PUSH, DAY FIVE

THE Barrow Push entered its most gruelling stage.

On this day, day five of the push from Beechworth to Mt Buffalo, Parkinson only managed two miles before lunch.

At 4.50pm the barrowmen halted just short of the Eurobin Falls bridge, further behind schedule than ever.

Parkinson had a total of 68 rests during the day, he had a huge blister on one hand, he was heavily bandaged, and according to press reports, he was looking worn and haggard.

By now, the Australian press was vitally interested in the marathon.

Parkinson’s stamina and resolve, as he pitted himself against the mountain in winter, was fascinating readers and listeners all over the country.

The newspapers had dubbed it the great ‘Shuffle off to Buffalo’, after the popular tune of the day.

First runs open for the snow season

LIFTS have started turning and terrain has been opened for skiing and boarding at both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek alpine resorts.

The 20cms of fresh falls last week, coupled with plentiful snowmaking and grooming, saw Mt Hotham open the Summit Trainer poma on Saturday and Big D on Sunday, and both remain opened this week.

While there is still currently not enough snow for tobogganing, there is still plenty available for building snowmen and making snow angels.

With more snow expected this week it is hoped further lifts and terrain will open soon.

Falls Creek also got its season on the slopes up and running over the weekend, with Halley’s Comet opened last Saturday, while beginners have been enjoying the slopes at the Mouse Trap Carpet.

Wombat’s Ramble welcomed skiers and boarders after extensive snowmaking efforts earlier this week.

The lift operations team have been hard at work to expand terrain, allowing guests to ski back to the village.

Beginners can start on Mouse Trap Carpet for practice before enjoying Victoria’s longest run on Wombat’s Ramble

There are many activities available at Fall Creek

including the museum, snowplay, the snowsports school and skiing and snowboarding.

Twilight Tuesdays are also back every Tuesday from 3.30pm to 5pm at Falls.

There is enough snow for both tobogganing and snowplay at Mt Buller thanks to the snowmakers on the slopes.

There is around 27cm of manmade snow on the slopes with more natural snow expected to fall later in the week.

Dinner Plain currently has a couple of centimetres of snow, with more expected to fall throughout the week.

There still isn’t enough snow for tobogganing or skiing at present.

Chains are required to be carried for all resorts and fitted where instructed.

For the latest information on the mountains visit:

Dinner Plain: visitdinnerplain.com.au

Falls Creek: fallscreek.com.au

Mt Hotham: hotham.com.au

Mt Buffalo: visitmountbuffalo.com.au

Mt Buller: mtbuller.com.au.

◆ WINTER WONDERLAND: Falls Creek village is white and wonderful, ready to welcome visitors.

PHOTO: Falls Creek ARV

By CHLOE JAENICKE

Explore the world from your home

EVEN in the colder months, while the rain is pouring down outside and you’re snuggled up under a blanket, books offer the chance to escape to a warmer climate and explore the outdoors.

Sometimes, just by seeing beautiful illustrations and hearing the poetic words which match them, you can feel a little bit warmer.

The three giveaway picture books we’re offering this week, thanks to publisher Allen & Unwin, are the perfect examples.

Ros Moriarty’s ‘Beach Song’, illustrated by Samantha Campbell, celebrates a child’s love of the beach in a lyrical story which exudes pure joy.

“I wanted to write about the emotions children can immerse themselves in through the natural world of a beach,” Ros said.

“Looking back, my emotional wellbeing has often been sustained by being at the beach, from my memories as a small child, right through my life.”

She said Samantha’s illustrations brought to life her hopes to depict that emotional connection.

Also highlighting the wonder of the natural world is ‘Tree’, by Melbourne duo Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft.

With an inviting cover which draws readers into the story of the life in and around a mighty mountain ash, this is a beautiful book.

Claire’s story speaks of a tree that is ‘older than those who find it, younger than the land it grows from’.

A stunning fold-out page at the end of the book highlights

the quality of Jess’s illustrations, and the majesty of the tree at the story’s centre.

In the vein of their 2022 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year ‘Iceberg’, Claire and Jess have created something very special with their latest collaboration, marrying deep scientific research, lyrical language and stunning illustrations.

Our third book in this week’s giveaway is Inda Ahmad Zahri’s ‘How to Measure the Ocean’, a poetic invitation to explore the shallows and depths of the ocean.

It will spark curiosity and wonder in young readers, while introducing early maths concepts along the way.

It reads: ‘The ocean can be difficult to measure. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. You can work most things out… once you know what you’re measuring’.

Inda was inspired to create ‘How to Measure the Ocean’ when her daughter said: “What I love about numbers is that they go on and on and on forever”.

As the story says: ‘While the biggest and the smallest of things can feel worlds apart, the ocean always finds a way to add what it needs or take away what it must. Or divide itself into clever parts and multiply in unexpected ways’.

◆ SPARK CURIOSITY: Inda Ahmad Zahri’s ‘How to Measure the Ocean’ will spark your imagination and allow you to explore the depths of the ocean.

◆ LYRCAL STORY: Immerse yourself in pure joy and the natural world of the beach with Ros

If you would like to own these three books, ‘Beach Song’, ‘Tree’ and ‘How to Measure the Ocean’ (all RRP $24.99), and explore the natural world from the comfort of home, email skerwin@nemedia.com.au for your chance to win.

ITSELF: ‘Tree’,

creators Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft, is one of three beautiful nature-focused picture books in this week’s giveaway.

with Simone Kerwin NORTH EAST MEDIA

Moriarty’s ‘Beach Song’.

Exploring Beechworth’s history through art

■ From page 1

“After settling here, I spent a few years either teaching art or working in galleries including the Wangaratta Art Gallery and the Murray Arts Museum Albury,” Nina said.

“Most recently I taught at Beechworth Secondary College, where my children now attend.”

Nina is also an exhibiting painter depicting the environment she lives in with oil and canvas.

“The last body of works was in response to the Woolshed Valley where I live and have my studio,” she said.

“It was exhibited over summer in the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre for the Wangaratta Art Gallery.

“My next collection will be completed during a winter ‘residency’ in the Creative Space Studio at Hyphen Art Gallery in Wodonga, which I am really looking forward to.”

Identifying the need for more engaging and professional opportunities for regional based artists, in the last three years Nina has established a successful commercial art gallery and a free public art event.

The Beechworth Contemporary Art Space is a fine art gallery situated in a heritage building representing 30 professional artists who are all based locally.

“Some of the best and most interesting artists you will find anywhere are actually living in our region and I wanted to celebrate that,” Nina said.

Currently the gallery is showcasing a special First Nations exhibition by artists from around Australia, picked from the personal collection of North East Victoria’s Indigenous art collectors Elizabeth Kingdon and Michael Rowe.

With a love of Beechworth’s natural surroundings as well as the

town’s heritage and buildings, Nina also wanted to invite artists from across Australia to come to our region and engage directly with our town.

A free to the public art event,

The Beechworth Biennale is now held over five days every second year.

“Beechworth has a really interesting and layered history, including a well- known Gold- Rush history, a strong Indigenous history, as well as a great mix of science, architecture, law and a female history,” Nina said.

“My idea for the event was to invite artists to respond to a local site, uncover its history or suggest its potential.

“By inviting dynamic and exciting possibilities, sophisticated ideas, and a variety of means for audiences to engage, we can all be entertained and learn together.”

FEATURE STORY

◆ CELEBRATING CULTURE: Nina Machielse Hunt invites others to have exhibitions in her gallery and hosts the Beechworth Biennale to celebrate Beechworth’s history.

NorthEast JOBS

THE ROLE OF PUBLISHERS

Advertisers please note!

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns.

Our Employment column is reserved for advertisements which carry a specific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for 'Business Opportunities', 'Commission Only' training courses and employment services should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trade Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

DESPATCH OFFICER

Agri-Gene P/L, Australia’s largest privately owned genetics company located at Wangaratta, has a challenging full-time position available for a Despatch Officer. Duties will include handling of bovine semen and embryos, packing and despatching stocks to A.I. Centres throughout Australia and co-ordinating import and export shipments. Applicants should be:

1. Computer literate with Microsoft 365 and Salesforce CRM.

2. Experienced in stock control and inventory systems.

3. Excellent time management and organizational skills.

4. High level of Customer Service and teamwork.

5. Hold a current Drivers Licence.

6. Interest in the A.I. Industry and Animal Breeding is desirable If you would like to apply for this

please send your Resume to the General Manager, Chris McIlroy at accounts@agrigene.com.au

Important Notice

LEGAL MATTERS

A Privacy Collection Notice plays a key role in the handling of personal information collected by your business.

Understanding Privacy Collection Notices: A Brief Guide

ONE crucial aspect of privacy law in Australia is the ‘Privacy Collection Notice’, a document that plays a pivotal role in the handling of personal information collected by your business. From anything from filling in payment details on our Menu Log orders, to entering your information when buying tickets to the footy, Collection Notices are everywhere, and they matter for your business – big time.

What is a Privacy Collection Notice?

A Privacy Collection Notice is a document that informs in-

dividuals about how their personal information will be collected, used, and managed by your business.

It is a requirement under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

The Collection Notice must be provided to individuals at or before the time their personal information is collected, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Why is a Privacy Collection Notice Important?

The primary purpose of a Privacy Collection Notice is to

ensure transparency and build trust between businesses and individuals.

Or, in more lawyer-ish language, the Collection Notice is part of the ‘contract’ between your business and the giver of the information.

Key Components of a Privacy Collection Notice To be effective and compliant, a Privacy Collection Notice should include the following elements:

1. Identity and contact details of your business: Or more simply: who is collecting the

personal information?

Clearly state the name of your business and provide contact details for further inquiries.

2. Purpose of the collection: You must explain the primary and secondary purposes of why the personal information is being collected by your business.

3. If the collection is required by a law: if the information must be collected by operation of a law, the law requiring the collection must be clearly stated.

4. Disclosure to third parties: You must inform individuals if their personal information will

be disclosed to any third parties and, if so, identify those parties.

This transparency helps individuals understand who else might have access to their information.

5. If the personal information is likely to be given to a recipient who is located overseas: This is important given the varying degree of control over privacy issues other nations have, so that the individual can decide if giving their information to you is for them.

6. Where to find your Privacy Policy: You must direct the giver

of the information to your full Privacy Policy.

7. Access and correction: You must outline the process for individuals to access their personal information and request corrections if necessary. This empowers individuals to ensure their information is accurate and up-to-date.

8. Complaints process: Provide details on how individuals can lodge a complaint if they believe their privacy has been breached.

Include contact information for relevant privacy authorities if applicable.

with Jonathan Green JONATHAN GREEN LEGAL