Nobbys Headland Sell Off is an Outrage!

It is a real pity that those that wish Nobbys sold off to the highest bidder have chosen the Christmas season of goodwill to your fellow man and woman as the time to launch a vitriolic attack through the Herald on Doug Lithgow, President of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement and Freeman of the City of Newcastle.

The people of Newcastle are being held to ransom to accept the privatisation of Nobbys as the only means of gaining access our iconic heart. This is untrue. Remove the Nazi concentration style fence and allow people up there to see the beautiful view for free. The vested interests don't want that to happen. Why?

Contrary to the assertion by the developer that they consulted widely on the matter, the fact is that this development was never adequately discussed by our elected democratic Council. It was referred back to the Port Corporation, the very people responsible for the public/private partnership in the first place. (see NCC Minutes for the Development Application Committee 11 July 2006 - DA 05/0468 – 41) How transparent and fair is that?

Nobbys lighthouse and headland should stand open and free to the public 24/7. No strings attached.

While we bicker and argue, and display complete ignorant arrogance of our history, Newcastle is being written out of the National story. And these people say, why care? Heritage is not important. I beg to differ. Our heritage is very important as it enables us to understand who we were, who we are, and who we intend to be. That is supremely important, much more important than selling your soul for a few pieces of silver.

Yours sincerely and Merry Christmas to all,

Cameron (1922-1995)

My favourite Kenneth Anger film is "Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome" starring Majorie Cameron. A rare exhibition of her work as occult artist Cameron, aka Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel, could be seen at the Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery in New York from January 12- February 10 2007.

"Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Cameron (1922–1995), curated by Michael Duncan, George Herms, and Nicole Klagsbrun. The exhibition runs from January 12 until February 10, 2007. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 12, from 6–8 pm. This survey is the first solo gallery exhibition of artist, performer, poet, and occult practitioner, Cameron (Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel). A maverick follower of the esoteric mysticism of Aleister Crowley and his philosophical group, the OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis), Cameron was also an accomplished painter and draftsman and mentor to younger artists and poets such as Wallace Berman, George Herms, and David Meltzer. While enlisted in the Navy, she was assigned the tasks of drawing maps and working in a photographic unit, which led to attendance at art classes after being discharged. In Los Angeles, she became the wife and spiritual avatar of scientist and mystical thinker Jack Parsons (1914–1952), one of the founders of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and an influential leader of the OTO. In the early 1950s, Cameron met the fellow LA artist and jazz enthusiast Wallace Berman who was fascinated by her artwork, poetry, and mystical aura. In 1955 Berman used his photograph of Cameron as the cover of his literary and artistic journal Semina and included in the issue a drawing she had made the previous year. The drawing became renowned when the police cited it as “lewd” and shut down Berman’s 1957 exhibition at Ferus Gallery. After this experience, Cameron, like Berman, refused to show her art in commercial galleries. She remained, however, a crucial figure in the Berman circle. Cameron’s romantic aesthetic and commanding persona prompted filmmaker Curtis Harrington to commemorate her output as a visual artist in The Wormwood Star (1955), a lyrical short film recording the art and atmosphere of her candlelit studio. Filmmaker Kenneth Anger cast her in a leading role opposite Anäis Nin in his film Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954). Despite the grim fatality of much of her writings, Cameron’s artworks portray a fanciful, even wistful lyricism. In the early 1960s she corresponded with Joseph Campbell, citing her interest in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, as well as in the fiction of Hermann Hesse and Isak Dinesen. Consumed by myth and the idea of protean growth, Cameron depicted the process of metamorphosis and transformation in hundreds of line drawings where ominous figures and landscapes emerge from uniformly striated, passionately articulated ink marks. Other gouache drawings and paintings depict mythic figures of her own creation engaged in ritualistic, symbolic acts."

The Gallery images are still available through the site, just click on past exhibitions, and scroll down.

Rising Tide - People's Blockade of Newcastle Harbour 2007

The family had a wonderful day at this event organised to protest the ongoing failure of Governments to properly tackle the transition from fossil fuels to real clean renewable energy solutions. Good on Rising Tide! The kids and I had a great time paddling around on canoes. I hadn't done any canoeing since 1977!

Newcastle - Welcome to the Future

It is tragically ironic that such devastating climate chaos was unleashed on Newcastle and the Hunter Region the very next day that Frank Sartor approved the controversial Anvil Hill Mine.

How dare this arrogant Government sentence future generations to this kind of climate mess.

I found Frank Sartor’s performance on Friday night’s Stateline equally shocking. The ‘Why stop raping, as someone else in the world will rape if we don’t’ logic to the expansion of the fossil fuel industry is ethically moribund.

It is now obvious that the coal ship traffic jam was an engineered publicity stunt gone wrong to put pressure on the general public to bury their (justified) climate change concerns, stomach these new mines and continue to allow NSW Inc. to go on with business as usual.

We are living under a fossil fuel dictatorship.

Unfortunately this ‘black river of gold’ has turned into a river of mud, and one of the ships has beached itself like a biblical whale. Welcome to the future?

We again call upon the NSW Government to stop its blockade of a clean and green future for our region and completely detox our fossil fuel addiction by 2020.

No More Shootout for Newcastle?

I find it very sad and outrageous that such a wonderful event as the Newcastle Shootout will possibly move to another city because Newcastle City Council won’t fund it (Weekender, NH 28/4:7).

Why must we have to stomach the divisive debate of having to choose between a new Art Gallery, and a Koala enclosure in Blackbutt reserve? Certainly these are the very things we employ a Council to look after and administer. I also don’t understand why the dodgy fiasco over the ‘white elephant’ markets in the mall was never reported to ICAC. Certainly this is a case of gross financial mismanagement.

Why don’t we have similar recourse to withdraw funding from those areas of Council that come up with these hit lists to our essential cultural services?

And why given the financial mess hasn’t the General Manager been made accountable?

Media Massacre at Virginia Tech

It is not appropriate for the media to shed such light and publicity on the individual who perpetrated those crimes in the US (“Massacre with a multimedia edge” SMH 20/4).

We live in an “image is everything”( – to quote the Nike add) soaked world, and such overt displays create a distinct impression on similar disaffected people who, like most of us, feel some form of disconnect from modern society. Having this guy’s personal film diaries, and notebooks and other testaments of his anguish on public show turns him into a glorified You Tube sensation. Whether you like it or not it will attract admirers. Is this necessary?

The real story is how we (and more importantly the United States) collectively deal with mental illness and unbridled gun culture and the ongoing tragedies that are created from that marriage. Why not investigate that?

New Coal Loader for the Hunter Region

Frank Sartor's decision to approve a third coal loader and expand another in order to send out an extra 100 million tonnes of coal into a world facing environmental catastrophe is a monumental error of judgment. (SMH ''Coal Exports to Double'' 14/4) It will stand as the greatest folly of our generation.

If this decision was a balanced one, as Frank Sartor stated it was (Newcastle Herald ''1 Bn Fix for Hunter Coal'' 14/4), then one billion dollars should have poured into renewable energy technology research and development as well. We have such a facility on Steel River Mayfield known as the CSIRO that could do with the funding. Instead, it is languishing.

Why? Due to poor political leadership renewable energy innovation has been sidelined for the “Clean Coal” solution, also known as the “Stick you Head in the Sand Solution” or the “All the Way with Coal We Say” chorus.

Politicians have campaigned that they want balance in the debate. This is impossible with decisions such as this one.

We have a public transport system that is a mess. We need buses every ten minutes and free, so that catching one becomes easy and effortless. A 1 Billion fix to our public transport system across the nation would be a wonderful investment as well.

Renewable energy and public transport, these are decisions which would deliver Governments great praise. Instead we have no future.

My sincere hope is that this decision is recinded immediately. Please, for the sake of future generations make this happen.

People need to understand that life is not just about money and power.

In order to achieve a future that is not in perpetual war we all need to find a new way to conduct our business on Earth.

This decision will not get us there.

Thanks for the Memories

Saw this amazing documentary last night on the ABC entitled "Thanks for the Memories" about inherited memories from donor's hearts.

The research into the workings of the heart's electromagnetic field was particularly interesting; that it creates more electromagnetic energy than the brain,
that it and the brain interact in a continuous sharing of information,
that its field can be measured up to six feet away from the subject,
and that the heart can register sense impressions of events before the brain and through the brain prepares the body for it.

The ABC page is located here:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200704/programs/ZY8704A001D12042007T203000.htm

Multifaith Equinox 2007

Here is the film recorded this morning at the Multifaith Equinox 2007 event.

Hipslingers - Rock of Ages (Wise)

Here is the Australian indie band Hipslingers performing 'Rock of Ages' recorded at the Mustard Club Newcastle around 1985.

Newcastle Deserves Better

Dear Newcastle,

It is appalling that the William the Fourth has been left to rot and then put up for sale. It is not surprising given the poor track record of the Newcastle Post Office, Merewether Surf Club, Fort Scratchley and the greatest heritage icon of them all, Nobbys lighthouse, which has all but been privatised.

Rather than take responsibility for the financial crisis, we have seen a divisive debate erupt between those dedicated to our environmental heritage (Blackbutt Reserve) and artistic heritage (Art Gallery), with closures and reductions of services. Both are essential to a vibrant and distinctive city.

With regards to the Newcastle’s violent landscape I cannot believe that after years of warning of the impending ‘ice’ epidemic, we still have no security plan in action. Given that our perennial problems of drunks, vandalism and drive by bashings can hardly be described as new problems.

Where is the leadership? We see more police at peaceful anti war rallies and campaigns against coal exports than on the city’s streets. Attempts to bring people back into the city (peacefully) by efficient public transport is politicised and initiatives such as the markets thwarted by poor decisions and bungling that reduce them to ‘white elephant’ markets instead.

Mayor John Tate’s campaign ad is very telling: “Newcastle deserves better” and needs better. With regards to our heritage, economy and security, we don’t need any more of this style of leadership.

Frankly, Newcastle has suffered enough.

Flying Colours Girl Art 2006

Hi,

I've uploaded a short film to You Tube of the Flying Colours Girl Art Exhibition that ran during September 2006 and featured the works of Felicity Howard, Rachael Rawson and Catherine Kavanagh Di Gravio.

Flying Colours opened at the Newcastle Art Space (246 Parry Street Newcastle West) on the 7th September 2006 and ran until the 24th September 2006. The Exhibition was opened by University of Newcastle lecturer in School of Drama, Fine Art and Music (incorporating The Conservatorium) Dr Lee Saunders.

More info: http://www.geocities.com/dig_ravio/flyingcolours.html

Hipslingers on You Tube

Hi,

I've recently been getting very nostalgic for the 1980s musings of the indie outfit Hipslingers and located some obscure video footage recorded at the Mustard Club in Newcastle Australia. The Mustard Club was an under 18s venue set up in the city in a grand old theatre. The band played there twice in 1985 and 1986. The video was recorded by a friend of Karin Catt's, whose name escapes me at present, and who was also a guitarist for the local band Yes Commissioner. Thus far I uploaded Rock of Ages (Wise) from the 1985 gig and Strange Days from the 1986 show. The lineup was John Di Gravio (Lead vocals, guitar), Stuart St Hill (Trumpet, Vocals), Darren Rowe (Bass) and Nick Cecire (Drums). The 1986 show included Garry Kosky on Trombone.

I have to thank Matt Ward who helped out with the another four videos of songs from the Hipslingers first lp Panoramic. Sacred Cow was recorded somewhere in the Hunter Valley and directed by Jonathan Samway. Telescope was directed by Robert (Barb) Taylor and used black and white home movies recorded by John Di Gravio together with (then) new footage. He did quite a brilliant job weaving it all together. Psycho-ess and Never the Twain both come from an NBN Telethon recorded sometime in 1989 (I think). Psycho-ess was featured on the 1988 Youngblood compilation album from RooArt. Never the Twain was a single that came off the Hipslingers never released follow up to Panoramic, which went under the working title of "Moof". The lineup for these songs was John Di Gravio (Lead vocals, guitar), Stuart St Hill (Trumpet, Vocals), Kyri Frame (Bass) and Nick Cecire (Drums) and Alex Cifuentes (Lead Guitar).

The last track Fred the Leper came off a home movie of a gig in Civic Park Newcastle during the Mattara festival in October 1989. The lineup featured the Hipslingers with two members of local group the Madding Crowd, Matt (Hooly) Thompson (bass) and Robert Taylor (Guitar) along with two members of the audience on tamborines. It's a personal favourite.

I hope you enjoy these tracks.

Open Letter to Malcolm Turnbull MP on Nobbys Newcastle

To:

The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP
Minister for The Environment and Water Resources

Dear Malcolm Turnbull,

I am very concerned about the proposed development that is taking place at Nobbys Lighthouse in Newcastle.

Nobbys is a spiritual and cultural icon for this city and I am afraid that there have been covert moves between a NSW Government instrumentality and a local developer to have the site privatised. There has been no effective public scrutiny of the development in the Newcastle Herald, and the Newcastle Council referred the matter, without proper debate, back to one of the proponents, The Newcastle Port Corporation. In addition I believe that the proponents, are in breach of s.26 of the Commonwealth EPBC Act in not considering the Commonwealth heritage values of the unique lighthouse, and I understand that the Commonwealth has been alerted to these facts.

I urge you to call a public inquiry on the matter. Further I believe that the proponents should be firmly censured for their breach of the law and that the Lighthouse should be preserved, protected and promoted as a Lighthouse. If the lighthouses of Byron Bay and Port Macquarie can be safeguarded as tourist attractions and centres for their heritage, why can't Newcastle's unique lighthouse be as well?

The public has never been fully involved or consulted with regard to this development and I am angry that these people think they can do what they like with such a culturally important site like Nobbys. They hold the public to ransom by keeping the area fenced off, not allowing the many walkers along the historic Macquarie Pier (1818) to enjoy the 360 views afforded the summit of Nobbys Lighthouse. Instead, they use the question of access to the site as the proverbial "carrot" to force feed the city a privatisation of an icon, saying that the only way people can get back up there is only on the Proponent's terms. I think this is outrageous!

From the artist's impression of the development that we have seen it is clear that the public will not have access to the place at night, only the proponent's customers will be able to enjoy that privilege. Secondly the observation deck faces the ocean, therefore only the proponent's paying guests in the accommodation units will be able to see the beautiful views of Newcastle City. In addition, we have no information on what additional infrastructure needs will effect the site in the operation of such a development. There has been no proper archaeological study of this immensely important site, or of the Pier that connects it to the mainland.

Nobbys Lighthouse should be kept free and open to the people of Newcastle and the Region and be properly managed under a conservation management plan for the whole Coal River Heritage Precinct.

I sincerely hope you will act on this and help protect Nobbys Lighthouse for future generations to enjoy.

Hands Off Our Nobbys

Hello,

I've just added a new video entitled "Hands Off Our Nobbys" with Doug Lithgow President of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement speaking about the recent redevelopment of the Nobbys Lighthouse in Newcastle Australia.



The Nobbys Lighthouse was established in 1857 and is the oldest operational lighthouse on the Australian coastline.

To the Aboriginal people Nobbys was called Whybagamba, and was the home of a giant kangaroo. Read more about it here.

Nobbys needs to be liberated. It currently looks like it is caged in a Nazi concentration camp. It makes me sick everytime I see it.

The view from up there is beautiful and people should be able to walk up there again.