CLARENCE VALLEY AND ARMIDALE

•October 2, 2008 • No Comments

PETER returned briefly to Grafton for a workshop at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium in Villiers Street. He took an Armidale deviation before returning to the Cottage and his books. Presently he is immersed in studies of Melinda’s contemporaries - the poetesses of the 19th Century in Australia.

SEPT HOLIDAYS 085

SEPT HOLIDAYS 092
PETER WITH ASSISTANT AT THUNDERBOLTS GRAVE IN URALLA THUNDERBOLT’S ROCK 5 KM SOUTH OF URALLA
SEPT HOLIDAYS 103 SEPT HOLIDAYS 105
PETER CARRYING OUT INTERVIEWS WITH URALLA RESIDENTS. DID YOU SEE MELINDA AND BASIL PASS THIS WAY ?

PROGRESS ON MELINDA AND CO

•September 19, 2008 • No Comments

 

bagels 003 bagels 001

As a backup skill for Life researching, Peter has taken to Bagel Making

and thus keeps the household well fed

He has dug into the plastic containers and vertical files from his previous 18 months in Wollongong ( interrupted by the two years at AUSTLIT based in University of Queensland in Rapunzel’s Tower) . This has unearthed Acres of Discoveries.

Peter is at the moment deep in comparisons between poems bearing a strong family resemblance.

His research Assistant through the facility of the newly released NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA BETA DIGITISATION OF HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS has snagged 1 or 2 hitherto buried secrets and leaves the conclusions to Peter to be drawn. The RA is drawing her own romantic and criminal conclusions.

 

 

   
SYDNEY GAZETTE OF 1837  

article2210615-3-001 basil 27 april

SAY NO MORE.

 

CLARENCE VALLEY CONSERVATORIUM

•September 18, 2008 • No Comments

PETER has a workshop this weekend in GRAFTON.

JUNIOR DRAMA WORKSHOP FINAL PLAY REHEARSAL.

CLARENCE VALLEY CONSERVATORIUM is at 8 VILLIERS STREET IN GRAFTON. We saw it when we did our field trip earlier in the year. At the time the rains were reminiscent of Henry Kendall’s WAITING ON THE RAFT poem which tells of a much earlier Grafton flood. As a consequence we caught a mere glimpse of the Conservatorium as we familiarised ourselves with the Jacaranda City. Being from Bellingen, I had always looked upon Grafton with a neighbourly disdain but the Field Trip brought it into a new light for both of us. Now we look forward to another night in the caravan and some more exploration of the Clarence.

PETER is hosting the Workshop and observing the final dress rehearsals for next week’s plays. Bronwen Berman is the Drama Tutor. We haven’t met her yet but Grafton - here we come ! Perhaps another Indian Meal. Good Vodafone reception for the mobile Broadband and a train trip south to Urunga for me while the Workshop is on.

 

IZZYS MAY 2008 027

PAINTING OF THE SHIP SUSAN

X_113_wharf grafton

WHARF AT GRAFTON

X_113_clarence

I am including the  GATEWAY VILLAGE information for Other PhD students on restricted income - and in fact for anyone who would like a surprisingly decent place to stay at amazing rates. We return to our van of choice ! Perhaps to swim ! Perhaps to use the Internet ! Feed wild birds ! Just to enjoy ourselves ! Gateway makes Byron look tacky.

GATEWAY VILLAGE 2 001

CLARENCE RIVER CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

•September 15, 2008 • No Comments

SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER.

PETER is heading South to Grafton again. This time it is for a workshop with the Kids at the Con.  He is workshopping for their end of year plays. Grafton and the Clarence have a spot in our hearts following the May trip and the search for MELINDA.

CLARENCE MAY 08 001

 

Peter in the $45 a night van in West Grafton using the Vodafone mobile internet. $45 just about fits the PhD budget and added an element of excitement to the Field Trip.

CLARENCE MAY 08 007

The Poley Bridge over the Orara.

GRAFTON MAY 08 020

SOUTH GRAFTON : Do not miss out on South Grafton.

WINTERING IN BILAMBIL.

•July 18, 2008 • No Comments

 

bagels 004

Peter is busy applying for positions in Academia. Failing that, mowing lawns would be OK.

Peter eagerly awaits the first feedback on his thesis chapter from his supervisor in  Wollongong.

He is excited about his discoveries related to the life of Melinda Kendall and her family. The sighting of copies of Patrick McNally’s court martial records from Canada has been a highlight of Peter’s recent research.

image

(from the CANADIAN NATIONAL ARCHIVES who have proven to be efficient and inexpensive - the above is issued from the HORSE GUARDS in FEB 1813 by SCTY GENERAL for SIR GEORGE PREVOST - OFFICER COMMANDING THE FORCES IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA )

THIS IS THE ORDER TO EXECUTE THE SENTENCE OF TRANSPORTATION ON PATRICK MCNALLY PRIVATE SOLDIER OF THE 100 REGIMENT.

Peter Knox doesn’t do much these days. Izzy Foreal seems to have taken over playing music while Peter Knox completes his PhD.

LISMORE TRIP RICHMOND IZ

 

 

AUSTLIT PIZZA FARE THEE WELLS

•June 24, 2008 • No Comments

Tuesday June 24th was Pizza Farewell for Cathy L , Jim Cleary and Stephanie who finish their AUSTLIT contracts this week.

MELINDA KENDALL

•June 9, 2008 • No Comments

PETER ON FUEL 4 ARTS

http://www.fuel4arts.com/members/profile.asp?id=17626 

knox girls 4 001

PETER WITH HIS DAUGHTERS ON THE QUEENSLAND/NSW BORDER

MELINDA KENDALL

FIELD TRIP TO THE CLARENCE

•June 8, 2008 • No Comments

Peter  ventured South the New England and the Clarence in May 2008. In the process of Seeking Melinda, he searched the Archives in Armidale’s Regional Archives at Newling. Thanks to William for his Assistance and then took a caravan in Grafton from which he was able to access the Grafton Historical Society and once again was given a full day’s attentiion and assistance. Many thanks.

He had hoped to locate the grave of Basil Kendall, Melinda’s husband. This proved elusive but many other gems were found and a brief conversation in Schaeffer House , home of the Clarence Historical Society led him to RUSHFORTH ROAD  and Bushy Park. Later reading of HAMILTON-GREY - indicates that Basil did indeed die out here on this road just out of South Grafton.

Peter is now compiling the bits and pieces he has brought home with him and the Clarence is  less unknown to him than it was a week ago and yet even more mysterious.

ON THIS DAY - APRIL 18

•April 18, 2008 • No Comments

ON THIS DAY, 18 APRIL

  • Henry Kendall born 1839, 274 works
  • Frank Marryat Norris born 1861, 2 works
  • Alexander G. Steven born 1885, 10 works
  • Jessie Street born 1889, 1 works
  • W. E. Harney born 1895, 65 works
  • Jean Gittins born 1908, 2 works
  • Don McInnis born 1916, 6 works
  • Sheila Hatherley born 1918, 12 works
  • Hilarie Lindsay born 1922, 60 works
  • Tom Griffith born 1922, 11 works
  • James Sinclair born 1928, 2 works
  • Tony Coady born 1936, 11 works
  • Jean Taylor born 1944, 28 works
  • Peter Knox born 1949, 11 works
  • Leigh Hobbs born 1953, 35 works
  • Susan King born 1953, 5 works
  • Lorraine Injie born 1962, 1 works
  • William Saumarez Smith died 1909, 1 works
  • W. H. Dawson died 1928, 8 works
  • Bessie Lee died 1950, 16 works
  • Daisy Bates died 1951, 9 works
  • Max Holtfreter died 1992, 28 works
  • Hubert Opperman died 1996, 1 works
  • Mary White died 2002, 8 works

EARLY ILLAWARRA POETRY - A SELECTION

•April 18, 2008 • 1 Comment