Michael Burge's Blog, page 7
October 2, 2019
Cultivating storytellers in the rural heartland
LOCAL FANS OF good writing have every reason to celebrate, with a season of literary initiatives — and acclaimed broadcaster Mary Moody — coming to the New England region between October 25th and December 1st for the High Country Writers Festival. As an author and journalist who learned to use the written word at Delungra … Continue reading Cultivating storytellers in the rural heartland →
June 7, 2019
Carol’s commonsense campaign
“There was a majority of men on the council and I really felt that women needed to have a decision-making presence.” CAROL Sparks describes as an unlikely candidate for local government, but a desire for change in her community drove this former nurse into a political career that’s already made history in Glen Innes. It … Continue reading Carol’s commonsense campaign →
February 21, 2019
Heresy in the High Country for #NewEnglandVotes
“To turn this region into a true believer, New England voters need to decide if we want fossil fuel extraction in the energy plan.” WHEN state member for the NSW seat of Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall put pen to paper in favour of renewable electricity generation in mid-2018, the news made barely a ripple in … Continue reading Heresy in the High Country for #NewEnglandVotes →
North Star artist set to shine
“It was such a relief to finally be able to devote most of my time to painting.” ART lovers at Inverell’s town gallery noticed a vibrant new palette in two popular 2018 group shows: the colourful, highly organic work of Kate Owen. One of her bold abstract canvases took home an Inverell Art Prize award, … Continue reading North Star artist set to shine →
Aussie tales told with a passion for diversity
“I love to start a conversation, not just about my stories but about Australian stories generally” AUTHOR Kim Kelly is renowned for diving into the historical details behind her popular novels, and as Glen Innes is soon to discover she loves visiting country towns in pursuit of inspiration. “I often think I only write novels … Continue reading Aussie tales told with a passion for diversity →
January 11, 2019
Painting herself a place in the country
“Living in the country encapsulates everything I am, if I am honest.” ARTIST Jane Canfield has picked up a swag of awards and citations for her work capturing the light, colour and industry of Australian rural heartlands. Now, her inspiring paintings are on exhibition at two galleries in the New England region, and she’s planning … Continue reading Painting herself a place in the country →
November 7, 2018
Rural research unearths plenty of reckonings
“Should I be proud of what my ancestors and their peers achieved, or ashamed? It’s a question facing a lot of Australians.” LONDON-BASED author Patsy Trench is the first to admit the workings of Australia’s farming history were not a natural subject for her to spend years researching. But her latest book A Country To … Continue reading Rural research unearths plenty of reckonings →
August 31, 2018
Grab your maracas as Tenterfield Goes To Rio!
THE high country of the NSW New England region is renowned for its autumn colour, but one man who was born at Tenterfield is set to be remembered with an even brighter splash at the inaugural Peter Allen Festival this September. Parkes celebrates Elvis, even though ‘The King’ never played that corner of NSW, and … Continue reading Grab your maracas as Tenterfield Goes To Rio! →
August 24, 2018
Peter Allen: the jazziest bush poet
WHEN he returned to Australia in 1971, Peter Allen would have been forgiven for wondering if his career in show business was over. But an unexpected piece of family history became the inspiration this boy from the bush needed to succeed on the world stage. It had been a very long journey home for the … Continue reading Peter Allen: the jazziest bush poet →
June 27, 2018
A country welcome for same-sex couples
THE northern NSW town of Tenterfield is opening its heart to four same-sex couples for an affordable and unique pop-up wedding event in September. ‘One of many rural electorates that voted in favour of altering the Australian Marriage Act to allow equal access to same-sex couples.’ To celebrate the arrival of marriage equality in Australia, … Continue reading A country welcome for same-sex couples →
