The Shiralee (8/10/25-29/11/25)

Based on the 1955 novel by Darcy Niland (author Ruth Park’s husband) and made into a movie and miniseries also. It explored relationships that were strained where adults rarely communicated feelings, where rights were fought and where relationships were temporary, the father’s (Stephen Anderson‘s) life being on the road as a swagman running away from crimes committed. I found the person I was following most in terms of emotional rollercoaster of everyday and extraordinary, was the daughter on the road too accompanying her dad – through necessity, was Buster (Ziggy Resnick). However there was a real affiliation with the dad, who had his moments of strife and hard living. There was a regal country feel about the play, my favourite thing was the windmill technique to swing the billy can of tea – which provided light comic relief. I got alot out of this Sydney Theatre Conpany production. Go the swag!

Floriade 2025 Canberra

I went with my boyfriend to Floriade recently on the way to visiting family. It was interesting to see what flowers were chosen as highlights and to appreciate the colours and smells of such great gardening. We even got to see Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia at a restaurant!

Although I haven’t been to Floriade before

Floriade was a time to relax, go on some rides and dream.

National Capital Orchestra

This was an excellent concert today, attended in Canberra. There was a real contrast between pieces. There were three main pieces, one encore. The first was a world premiere, the second a double bass extremely agile number and the third a popular Dvorak symphony ‘From the New World’. A full orchestra, it was great to witness. 

‘New World’ ducklings

I loved how the conductor mentioned avant garde movement which I had explored briefly in music 101 at uni. The concert music selection was very innovative in the explorations of the concept of ‘New World’. It satisfied my musical appreciation for a while. Here is a review.

Sevdalinka

I watched some Serbian love songs at Mosman Art Gallery last week and it warmed my heart.

There were about 50 people in audience and two main musicians and a choir were working together to create such moving music.

There was so much long lost love, unrequited love and imaginative longing in the lyrics there was much to sustain us on the road of romance.

The music speaks for itself. There was a sense of awe about each performer and to top it off they ended the performance with words celebrating the beauty of valuing humanity in the world and of what each person can bring in their humanness and dignity to the table of life.

Gershwin & Shostakovich

This set of music I saw with my aunt at Opera House in August ‘25 was Gershwin and Shostakovich and had two other pieces as well, one a premiere by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov ‘Moments of Memory’ and another Claude Vivier ‘Zipangu’. Started with Zipangu which was a bit chaotic to hear and then Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto that was all extreme piano emotion and bouncy hands playing. After interval was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with was jaunty but a welcome relief with its warmth. The last Shostakovich piece was a Chamber Symphony which was also a bit extreme to hear but such finesse exhibited by the strings!
It is Australian Chamber Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary this year. How I enjoy the ACO concerts.

‘Teilhard De Chardin On Love: Evolving Human Relationships’ (2017), by Louis M. Savary & Patricia H. Berne, forward by Ilia Delio.

Teilhard (1881-1955) was a French geologist who was also a Jesuit priest. This book about his writings on love is by a married couple (theologian Savary & psychologist Berne) who discussed in this book such ideas as:

“Divine love is the energy that brought the universe into being and binds it together. Human love is the energy that drives whatever we do to keep ourselves and our world growing in unity and peace” (Savary & Berne, 2017, p.3).

A book on loving that is pure and theologically inspired makes me feel positive and more constructive in my interactions of the everyday kind. Teilhard De Chardin’s being a scientist meant that I could see the analytical and objective in what he had to say and it was easier to digest the concepts which were clear and simple and very relevant to our lives today. I now seek out related literature about Teilhard de Chardin and his impact on the world.

‘Movies That Matter: Reading Film through the Lens of Faith’ (2006) by Richard Leonard SJ

I use this book as a reference to watching these and further movies through Fr Leonard’s ‘Lens of Faith’. It’s just what I was looking for. How to interpret film through my faith. Have found this book useful in its approach to analysing a film and the way it presents its material.

‘Love’s Oneing: A Book About Contemplation’ By Kerrie Hide (2022)

https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Love_s_Oneing/IJibEAAAQBAJ?hl=en

I heard this book may be described as “New Age” so it isn’t I think my doctrine as such but it is a refreshing read for its word choice, rhythm and flow. The author Kerrie Hide in such magical lyricism and regular beat links science and Christian concepts of creation of life on earth. That is, according to the Bible God created the world to demonstrate God’s love for all living forms including humans. Love is the key theme in scientific origins as well Kerrie writes, as love causes atoms to bind to atoms into molecules in a concept of what can be considered ‘love’! The actual wording is much more impressive than I can describe. I found it an easier read due to its delicate flow of language. I really think the world would benefit from things contemplative like this well written book.

By Kerrie Hide (2022)