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News of OGG - February 2022
Monday, 27 February 2023
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News of OGG Anton Lucas (FB'64), Deb Chirnside (Philip, Je'76), Anson Cameron (M'78), Marina Batliwalla (Je’82), Mark Ritchie (P'82), Lucy McEachern (Ga'99), Harley Manifold (M'00), Hugh McCarthy (Cu’00), Georgie Cavanagh (Cl’03), Olivia Fleetwood (He’07) and Alexandra Foster-Batcha (Cl’07) is featured this month. Anton Lucas (FB'64)  Anton Lucas and John MacRae have edited a book about the life of John Darling (P'64). The book, John Darling: An Australian Filmmaker in Bali, (Monash, November 2022) was featured as Pick of the Week in The Age on January 14 2023 by Steven Carroll who said: “I confess I’d never heard of Australian filmmaker and poet John Darling until now, but this splendid collection of essays, reminiscences (by family and friends) and the writings of Darling himself is an intriguing introduction to his life and work. He was born into well-off Melbourne, went to Geelong Grammar where his father was headmaster and studied at Oxford but never finished his course – because, along the way, he was seduced by the charm of Bali where he lived much of his life. His most famous film, Lempad of Bali (1980), about Balinese artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, who lived to the astonishing age of 116 and who remembered Krakatoa erupting, came out of that experience. A vivid collective portrait of the artistic life, the cultural flow between Australia and Bali, and the times (including the Kuta bombing) that Darling lived through.” Deb Chirnside (Philip, Je'76) Botanical artist Deb Chirnside is one of the exhibiting artists at the Open Studio weekend at Lucy McEachern’s (Ga’99) Studio where ten artists including OGG Deb, Lucy and Harley Manifold (M'00) will showcase their remarkable works. The studio is located at “Tarawil”, 984 Wingeel Rd., Wingeel, Victoria and is open from 9am to 5.00pm on 18 and 19 March 2023.  Anson Cameron (M'78) Anson was one of the festival authors and Guest Speaker at the Gala Awards Night of the Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival which ran over the weekend of 4 & 5 March.  The awards night took place on the Saturday night at Catherine and David Ritchie's (P’80) Delatite Winery where National and local winners of the Festival’s short story competition were announced. Anson’s most recent book is a biography, Neil Balme: A Tale of Two Men (Viking, August 2022) which tells the story of Balme’s football journey from one of the AFL’s hardest players to most respected and successful coach and football administrator. The Age review described the biography as “a genuine cut above usual sports writing”. Anson has written six novels and writes a regular column for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.  Marina Batliwalla (Je’82) A financial professional for over 20 years and mother of three, Marina has begun a podcast series Banking on Girls that explores the importance of financial literacy for girls and young women. With a focus on what girls should be taught so that they can gain skills and confidence in their own financial journey, Marina uncovers the human experience of raising, educating, and inspiring girls financially, one story at a time. In her first podcast, she interviews gender equality advocate, Sarah Harden (Vickers-Willis, A'89), CEO of Hollywood production company Hello Sunshine, which tells stories in film, TV, print and podcasts form a female perspective. In September last year Sarah also delivered a keynote address for the Chief Executive Women (CEW) leadership summit in Melbourne. Sarah brings a personal touch to Marina’s podcast, speaking from her experience as a child, teenager and later a mother herself on financial literacy for girls.  Mark Ritchie (P'82) Featured on ABC's Landline on Sunday 26 February, Mark, who supplies a new range of carbon neutral beef sold by Coles, said that 75 per cent of his farm’s carbon emissions came from methane. Planting lots of trees and running an efficient herd were part of the equation but his beef only became carbon neutral when Coles bought carbon credits to offset emissions. With Australia’s red meat industry aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030, Landline investigated the big business of developing of products, like feed additives, to reduce methane emissions in livestock.  Lucy McEachern (Ga'99) Renowned bronze sculptor, Lucy is opening her picturesque rural studio once again for an Open Studio Weekend on 18-19 March. Ten artists in total will exhibit at the Open Studio including OGG botanical artist Deb Chirnside (Philip, Je'76), artist and sculptor Harley Manifold (M'00) and of course Lucy herself. Lucy’s Open Studio is at “Tarawil”, 984 Wingeel Rd., Wingeel, Victoria and is open from 9am to 5.00pm on 18 and 19 March 2023.  Harley Manifold (M'00) Artist and sculptor Harley Manifold is Geelong Grammar School's first Artist in Residence for 2023. Harley will be staying at GGS for nine days over a two-week period at the end of February-start of March. During his residency, he will be linking with the students in discussion, processes and practices during classes. He will provide them with an overview of his professional career and show examples of his past and current work. He will also produce a work which, on completion, will become part of the GGS Art Collection. In his practice, using traditional painting techniques, Harley explores identity and place, and the juxtapositions of contemporary life. Described as a ‘flâneur’, he sets himself to depict both the natural landscape that surrounds us, as well as the concrete facades and narrow alleyways that define urban existence. As described by Harley, his paintings also channel “the famous Heidelberg School, master artists of years past who sought to capture Australian life, their surroundings of the city, bush, and the harsh sunlight that typifies the country.” So far, Harley has held 19 solo and nearly 60 group exhibitions and has exhibited widely throughout Australia. On three occasions he has been a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2015, 2017 & 2021). His pictures featured also in the Salon Des Refuses of the Archibald and Wynne Prize (2016, 2019 & 2021). Most recently he has been one of the finalists in The Darling Portrait Prize. His work is represented in a number of regional galleries, as well as in private collections in Australia, United Kingdom, USA and France. Harley is also one of the exhibiting artists at the Open Studio weekend at Lucy McEachern’s (Ga’99) Studio where ten artists including OGGs Harley, Lucy and Deb Chirnside (Philip, Je’76) will showcase their remarkable works. The studio is located at “Tarawil”, 984 Wingeel Rd., Wingeel, Victoria and is open from 9am to 5.00pm on 18 and 19 March 2023.  Hugh McCarthy (Cu’00) Furniture designer and maker Hugh McCarthy was recently included in Vogue Living's top 50 interior designer, architects, product designers and artists in Australia. "This coveted list of local talents has been hand-selected by the Vogue Living team for showcasing distinctive style, out-of-the-box thinking and creative commitment in furthering Australian design not just in our nation but on the global stage. The VL50 is a celebration of the diverse, evolving creative community we have and the incredible value it holds." “A furniture maker and designer who honed his craft both in Melbourne and Japan, Hugh McCarthy’s made-to-order tables, chairs and storage units demonstrate the inherent and timeless value, beauty and joy of handcrafted pieces. 2022 IN FOCUS: While his furniture continues to feature in some of the nation’s best residential work, McCarthy has turned his artful approach to sculpture with his debut exhibition, Sequence, at M Contemporary.” Photo by Annika Kafcaloudis    Georgie Cavanagh (Cl’03), Olivia Fleetwood (He’07) and Alexandra Foster-Batcha (Cl’07) Georgie, Olivia and Alexandra are all involved with different brands and businesses but have collaborated to create a re-imagined retail experience which will be launched in Geelong and run from March 20 to April 2, 2023. Georgie is Co-Founder and CEO of Carlotta + Gee, a Sydney based, all-natural, sustainable Australian linen brand offering 100% French linen bedding and homeware products in a wide range of warm, earthy tones. Alexandra is Brand Director of Homegrown Kids, a premium children's wear label founded by Geelong based entrepreneur Emma Hawkins. Olivia is Co-Director of The KO Creative Studio at 14 Lambert Ave., Newtown, which will host the unique Concept Store from March 20 – April 2. The group of all female & all Australian owned participating retail brands includes: - Carlotta + Gee, Sydney based high-quality linen, bedding, and homewares - Homegrown Kids, premium childrens' wear label - In Good Company, high-end furniture and design company from Armadale, Melbourne - Iris & Wool, Australian fashion brand producing luxury designs from 100% merino wool - PHYLLi Designs, boutique custom-made and ready-to-wear hats, hand-crafted in Scone NSW - Nonna's Grocer, a concept studio with a range of fruit-inspired candles All six brands have identified Geelong as an area of high growth with great potential for the expansion of their own respective businesses. They are excited to be offering their products in a physical setting for the first time. The Concept Store is also collaborating with leading local creatives stylist Fleur Wood, child sleep consultant Bianca Burge and interior designer Rebecca Jansma to present a curated series of free workshops centred around the themes of comfort, style and home. These events are supported by Bellarine based winery Austin’s. Olivia says that offerings like these are what was envisaged when her business was originally dreamt up. “There has been a huge influx of creative business to Geelong since we opened nearly four years ago. We built our space to support creative collaboration and to foster and support business in the Geelong region. To know that all of these high-quality brands see potential in Geelong and want to offer their products to our community is tremendously exciting”. Dates: March 20 – April 2, 2023 Opening Times: 10am-5pm, plus evening workshops 7pm-8.30pm Location: THE KO Creative Studio, 1/14 Lambert Avenue, Newtown VIC 3220 Workshops Monday 20th March: What to wear this Autumn Tuesday 21st March: Empowering parents to achieve a better night’s sleep Monday 27th March: How to design the ultimate bedroom space For more information on workshops please visit: https://www.theko.com.au/whats-on |