Tell us about your family …

Denise and I were married in 1974 and have three sons (Gareth, Rhys and Liam). Rhys and his partner, Melissa, live and work locally, and Liam lives and works on the Gold Coast. Sadly, Gareth died in a car crash in 1999, aged 19.

You’ve just returned from a fabulous trip overseas. Share the highlights with us …

On a trip such as the one we’ve just returned from, there are so many great memories that it’s difficult to nominate highlights. There were some places that exceeded expectations, and others that you just knew were going to be magic.

Poland and China were countries that delivered a huge WOW factor. Everyone knows of Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, but Torun and Wrocklow were very special. The Czech Republic and Slovenia are also very special. The scenery is spectacular, and the medieval cities are a dream to explore. Regensburg in Germany, Cesky Krumlov in The Czech Republic, Siena in Italy and Verdun in France are all cities worth going out of your way to visit and of course, Italy is the world’s largest walk in art gallery.

The battlefields of Belgium and Northern France hold a special place in the hearts of Aussies – a must see.

London, Hong Kong, Paris, Singapore and Rome all have many sights to keep you busy for several days.

In Asia, China is a must see destination, and the islands of Lombok and Gili Trawangan are pretty much off the tourist radar as far as Australians are concerned. The scuba diving on Gili was some of the best I have ever done.

I would say that climbing the Great Wall at Juyongguan was something I will always be proud of. It was a solid 2½ hour climb, but the sense of accomplishment when we reached the top was fantastic.

As for food highlights, the regional dishes of Italy are unsurpassed, the plats du jour in France are never less than sensational, and the food in China is superb. Like Italy and France, Chinese food varies from region to region, and it is all delicious.

It is interesting to see the difference between food in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong (Cantonese cooking), and Singapore is one of the world’s great food destinations – especially for Nyonya food and Straits Chinese dishes. The chilli crab is a signature Singapore dish and is to die for.

Did you encounter any difficulties on your trip?

Everything with the trip was great; nothing terrible happened to us at all. The only downer was when we were told our storage facility had been broken into (we were in Italy at the time) and some things had been stolen or broken. However, after a few phone calls, we knew that all our important stuff was intact, and we breathed easier.

Humorous moments?

The look on Denise’s face when she realised the cable car ride she had just bought tickets for in Slovenia didn’t ‘just go to the first pylon’, but all the way to the top of the mountain (1,500 metres).

When we reached the top, we had to cross a platform to the station. Unfortunately, you could see the full 1,500 metre vertical drop through the grating in the platform. We both have a fear of heights, so it was a case of close your eyes and sprint across.

Having got off, I then had to work out how much beer to drink to calm me enough to recross the platform and still be sober enough to drive when we got back to the bottom. Again, it was close your eyes and go. It was a good thing the views were spectacular, so we could ignore the great hole in the ground below us.

Do you travel often?

Not as often as I’d like. We try to get away each year around February – and normally head to Thailand. I find Phuket a great holiday destination, as you can do as little or as much as you want. The beaches are fantastic, the diving is superb, the food is delicious and the vibe is laid back and comfortable.

We have also been to Vanuatu and Rarotonga in the past, which we found relaxing, but a bit quiet.

Siem Reap in Cambodia is a fascinating place to visit. The temples at Angkor are challenging, but extremely rewarding. We spent four years working and travelling overseas when we were first married, so travel is pretty much in our blood.

Who looked after your business while you were away?

I licensed the shop out to Deb Randell (who works with me) for the four months we were gone, so it was effectively her business. She did a great job – and everyone is full of praise for the way she operated.

She and Alicia (her offsider) looked at the shop with fresh eyes and instituted a few changes that have enhanced the business beautifully. I can’t thank her enough for the job she did.

Where do you source your produce for the shop?

I try to use local suppliers as much as possible. Some products have to be purchased at supermarkets, but items such as meat, chicken breasts, bread, milk, juice etc. are all sourced from local suppliers. Quality is important, and I find the local suppliers always supply top quality product. This ensures our customers always receive the freshest and best quality food.

What’s next on the agenda for you … where are you off to next?

We are planning a trip to Ruapehu in New Zealand for a week’s skiing in August. I have a brother who lives quite near, so we can catch up and ‘get on the piste’! Neither Denise nor I have ever tried skiing before, so ask me if there were any funny times after that one!

We would like to do another major trip in the future, maybe to the States and on to Europe to catch some places we missed this time around. We will just have to see what happens, I guess.

Thanks Barry. 

How is your New England Martial Arts Centre (NEMAC) going?

Excellent! We now have over 200 students training 5 days a week and 6 government accredited coaches instructing. I must say, I couldn’t do it without the help of my wife, Christine, and my son, Taylor.

Last year we competed in 3 state and a national competition, with the students performing very well. Although we are not a competition club, it’s good to see that our students can win against clubs that only train for comps. Tournaments are one way of testing a martial arts ability, but the main goal for myself and my instructors at NEMAC is to teach good offensive and defensive fighting skills (both armed and unarmed), but also and more importantly is to teach students how to have pride and respect in themselves, their families, their community and country.

The bonus for me in travelling the world is to constantly see and then relate back to the students that we live in the BEST country in the world, and that we should be grateful we are here and to work hard in keeping it that way. Some of my students may not be the best fighters in the world, but guaranteed they are some of the nicest, most well mannered and behaved children in the district.

This brings me to an important message that I would like to get across to people: martial arts is a life long pursuit in self improvement, constantly training yourself to be mentally and physically stronger. It is not about getting into a cage and belting another human senseless, but about learning how to defend themselves both mentally and physically against an unprovoked attack. Being a good citizen is an important attribute that a real martial artist should have.

Tell us about your history in martial arts.

I started training in 1978 in Judo and have never looked back. The reason I started was to learn how to fight like my idols, Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali.  During the ’80s, I practiced Zen Chi Ryu, Kempo, Fencing, Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo. I enjoyed Taekwondo and opened clubs in Armidale, Uralla and Tamworth. In 1990 I opened the New England Martial Arts Centre. At the time, I was studying Go Ju Ryu Karate and Kung Fu intensively with many renowned instructors. It was at this stage that my father-in-law, Jackie Shing, and other Chinese family members encouraged me to concentrate fully on doing Hung Kuen Kung Fu. I will never forget one day when Jackie said to me that if I fully focus on training hard, after 20 years I would reap the rewards of my hard work. He was right … Kung Fu translates simply to work hard, and that is my club motto: ‘practice is the key to success’. Now after 30 years of hard training, I am a Grandmaster, I have black belts in 10 different styles and I’m a level 3 (Australia’s highest level) government accredited martial arts coach.

How long did it take you to master the art of arrow catching?

I started catching arrows in 2000 as a demonstration at my annual martial arts night, and then soon was in Madrid, Spain doing it live on TV to millions of people. From this appearance, I was asked by Guinness World Records to do many other shows around the world – and in fact, have been one of their leading acts for the past 10 years and have done Guinness shows in most countries.

I have appeared in other major shows such as MythBusters, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Stan Lee’s Superhumans, Time Warp and more importantly to me, have had many major international TV shows come to Armidale to film me performing my skills – and in doing so have exposed our city to the world. Nationally, I have been on many Australian shows lately, such as the TODAY show and have also featured in many international and national magazines and books.

What’s your most recent entry into the book of Guinness World Records?

In December alone, I appeared on the TODAY TV show again and broke the record for ‘the most chopsticks thrown in 1 minute’, I also set the record for ‘the most tennis balls caught in 1 hour’ at the Bowling Club and attempted to break my chopstick throwing record in Beijing,China.

Exactly how many world records have you broken?

29 world records, with three pending.

Always aiming so high, what do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

Being the Armidale Citizen of the year in ’09 was a great achievement. I am a fifth generation Armidalian, and when I grew up all I used to hear about is what a great man my father Sam was, and what big shoes I would have to fill if I was to be as good a man as him. Well, I’m trying and hope that in some small way that I have contributed not only to the Kelly family name, but the Armidale and world community as well. As far as my world record achievements go, I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to travel the globe and see some of the most fantastic sights and meet the most unusual people. But in saying that, I do not think people really understand the amount of hard training and stress that goes into an overseas appearance.

Fielding international calls at all hours of the night, writing emails, negotiating with the TV producers, travelling for days, eating unusual foods and waiting around the TV studios for hours and sometimes days waiting to appear and then be expected to perform at your best; it’s very demanding on the mind and body. In saying that, the reward for performing in front of millions of people and breaking a record live is a great feeling.

What’s next?

Keep building NEMAC up and run more Kung Fu and Reaction Training workshops, locally and nationally. As far as TV goes, last year I broke the billion viewer mark, and I hope to do that again. I’m in the planning for a Discovery TV show from England that wants to do a feature on me – part of the filming will be here in Armidale.

www.anthonykelly.com.au/

Thanks FOCUS, and Happy Year of the Dragon.

Thanks Anthony.

How long have you lived in Armidale?

I grew up in Armidale. After I finished school, I left to take up a scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. After my degree was over, I stayed in the States for a short time and began performing in musical theatre. After many years working in Sydney, I returned to live in Armidale in 2007.

You’re well known as a conductor and music director. How and why did you become a director?

I love theatre of all kinds. I can get as excited about a play as I can about a musical. I have worked as a musical director on many shows, and I love doing that, but I love the process of creating an entire show more.

I love reading a script and seeing it play out in my mind. The theatre in my mind has no limits or restrictions. When I first think of how to stage a show, I allow any idea to grow and develop – however crazy! I try to squeeze out every ounce of honesty from a script. I try not to think about budgets, casting, if the theatre can cope with these ideas, or whether an audience will come. I just like ideas to flow. The ‘how’ comes much later.

Years ago when I was directing the musical Chess in Sydney, I told the designer and the producer that I wanted the opening number to be a life sized chess game with the entire cast dressed as exotic ancient Persian chess pieces fighting a battle to the death. I was initially told it was too difficult and that I might need some medication to calm down. On opening night, when the lights slowly came up and the human chess pieces began to battle each other, the audience exploded into cheers and applause. I live for those moments.

I work best in an environment where no idea is rubbish and where everyone is working together to make something of nothing.

How long have you been a member of the Armidale Drama and Musical Society (ADMS)?

I joined ADMS in 2007, shortly after arriving back in town. A few months later, I proposed the musical Titanic. This was a huge show with a big cast, gorgeous costumes, sensational music and a delicious set created by Pat Bradley. Titanic had the largest audience numbers ADMS has ever seen.

The following year I directed Blood Brothers - The Play, and in 2010 it was Urinetown – a ridiculously hilarious show complete with dancing policemen, torch choreography and tumbleweed! So much fun.

Tell us about the brand new musical you are directing?

This year I am directing The Hatpin, a new Australian musical. This is an incredibly sophisticated and fascinating work.

The Hatpin is the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who in 1892 advertised her baby son in a newspaper trading column for a family to care for him while she tried to find work in Sydney … and ended up embroiled in the Makin family murders. It’s one of the most captivating, moving and exciting criminal trials in Australia’s early history.

Set during a time when women had few rights, this is essentially the story of one young woman’s struggle to be heard against a mountain of criticism and resistance. It is also important to know that the Makin trial was pivotal in creating precedence in law and for generating awareness of early childhood issues and care.

Who wrote The Hatpin, and how accurate is the historical information portrayed in the musical?

James Millar wrote the book and lyrics, and Peter Rutherford wrote the music. They are two young Sydney based writers. I believe that they are serious new voices in Australian musical theatre, and I am incredibly excited to present their first effort as a writing team.

The musical is all based on actual events, people and places. The writers used court transcripts, police records, historical accounts and newspaper articles to form the story.

Curiously, I found while I was doing research that some of the murders took place at 109 George Street in Redfern. I lived in the same street at 183 for a period of time, and on my way home I would walk past each little terrace, including 109, every day.

This was actually one of the ideas that James Millar wanted to convey. If you could peel back the facade of any home, there would be a story to tell. It just happens that 109 George Street had a painful and horrific past.

You’ve directed many musicals. Why are you so excited about this one?

It is essential for us as a community – as Australians – to tell our own stories. Good, bad, shocking, shameful … we must tell our stories to grow and learn and discover more about who we are.

I recently had the chance to talk with Carol Herben, who is a descendant of the Makin family. I asked her what she felt, knowing that this awful chapter in Australian history was part of her family. She told me that once she began to investigate her ancestors, she found that she was from pure convict stock on both sides of the family. There were convicted criminals and murders, through to regular folk.

“It is what it is,” she said. “I can’t change the past. It doesn’t change who I am, but it is part of me, it connects me and gosh – it’s fascinating.”

I am excited to peel back the facade of this story and tell a tale that not many people know. It is part of our history.

Final word?

I urge everyone to go and see some theatre this year – find a show, listen to the stories. You will see that we are all connected.

Thanks George.

How did you first become interested in the children of Nepal?

I first heard of Forgetmenot Children’s Home in Nepal through a family friend who was involved with the organisation. She had visited the girls’ home in Nepal with her husband and inspired me to get involved and visit myself.

When did you go to Nepal, and how did you organise this trip? 

I went to Nepal last April (2011). The Forgetmenot organisation runs 2 visitor/volunteer trips to the girls’ home in Nepal each year, and I signed up to join in with the April trip. When I first heard about the orphanage in Nepal, I immediately wanted to visit if I could. As a requirement to visit the home, each trip participant was asked to fundraise to make a donation to the organisation of $2,000. To me, this seemed impossible at first; however, I was determined to reach that goal and after holding a few small fundraising activities through my school, selling hundreds of chocolates and receiving many generous donations from the O’Connor and Armidale communities, I raised nearly $3,000 to donate to Forgetmenot.

What is the lifestyle like over there? 

Getting used to the different lifestyle that the Nepalese people live was one of the biggest culture shocks I experienced on my trip. Kathmandu, where I spent most of my time in Nepal, was unlike any other place I had ever visited. It was loud and busy all the time, and society seemed to lack any concept of road rules. Waste is a major issue in Nepal, and the streets and water systems were very dirty compared to what we are used to in Australia. The lifestyle is also more influenced by religion, women dress much more conservatively, and I was woken very early most mornings by the ‘Call To Prayer’, which would echo through the streets.

Tell us about the orphanage you worked in?

Forgetmenot Children’s Home is one of two orphanages run by Forgetmenot from Hervey Bay Queensland. Lars Olsen founded the organisation after he volunteered in Nepal for 5 months and fell in love with the many orphaned children, who were full of happiness. After much fundraising and research, the home in Nepal was opened in 2006 and is now home to 21 girls ranging in age from 6 to 17. Forgetmenot also has another children’s home in Uganda, which houses both boys and girls. In Nepal, the girls’ home is in Kathmandu across the road from the school that the girls go to. Arriving at the home and seeing the girls waiting on the balcony for us to arrive was a truly moving experience; I have never been greeted with such love by complete strangers, as I was by these beautiful girls. Not once in my time visiting them did I see any of them exchange harsh words; they shared all of their belongings happily with each other and greeted each one of us with hugs and kisses when we arrived each day. The love that they showed to each other and to all of the volunteers amazed me.

What did you gain from this experience?

It’s difficult to know where to start. I gained a huge appreciation of how lucky I am to have education, a clean and safe place to live, and most importantly, a family. One thing which I will never forget about the girls in Nepal is how incredibly happy they all were and how appreciative they were of what possessions they did have, despite the struggles many of them had faced in early childhood. I realised, through seeing their happiness, how much we take for granted everything we have – especially in Australia – and how materialistic our society can be. Many people donate to charities and generously support organisations throughout the world; however, having the chance to meet and spend two weeks with the girls who would benefit from my fundraising was a really unique experience – and one I will never forget. As well as becoming close with the girls in the orphanage, I also made some close friends within the group who travelled to Nepal from around Australia.

How can others contribute to these people? 

There are many ways in which people can contribute to Forgetmenot. You can make donations to the organisation through their website: www.forgetmenot.org.au. On this website you can also sponsor children in the orphanage in Nepal or Uganda, or even become involved in a volunteer trip yourself.

Plans for the future?

When I have completed my HSC, I would really like to return to Nepal, either as part of another visitors’ trip or for a longer time to see the girls and help out at the home. Although I was only there for a few weeks in April, I formed a strong bond with the girls and think about them often now that I am back in Australia. Once you have met people as amazing as them, it’s impossible to put them behind you.

Thanks Alexandra.

The universal law of attraction is a strange and wonderful thing, and the little village of Kentucky is a great example of this. Twenty years ago, it was a cluster of cottages and houses on small acreages, a village store and a primary school with a dwindling number of students. Many of the vacant timber cottages were falling into ruin, variously occupied by itinerant people smoking suspicious substances, bats and brown snakes. 

A community erstwhile founded on war heroes and apple blossom had become quiet and peaceful, with an ageing population.

Returning home one uni holiday, I was appalled to find one of our beautiful landmarks, the little railway station, completely demolished. Having never bothered to involve myself with anything to do with the preservation of local landmarks – that, of course, being the responsibility of the ‘older generation – I furiously interrogated my parents. “What the … ? Why didn’t you do something?”  Unfortunately, they  said, it had just slipped past – people just hadn’t realised it was to be demolished, until suddenly it wasn’t there.

This was certainly a wake-up call for a community so devoted to preserving its treasures – an ominous sign of what would follow if residents let down their guard even for a moment.

Apart from this unfortunate incident of historical destruction being slipped past the normally vigilant Kentucky residents, other crucial local services were vigorously defended. The general store, community hall and public school were maintained, thankfully, as once lost these utilities never seem to be regained. Several enterprising Principals meant that Kentucky School started to gain ground by attracting children from surrounding areas on the back of the solid, disciplined but progressive education provided, and the steady increase in school enrolments kept things  ticking along until the next progressive shift in the wind.

Meanwhile, many families quietly and successfully continued to run other businesses, such as Fine Wool Merino studs (for which the area is well known), farm tree nurseries, timber processing plants and the few remaining commercial orchards. So Kentucky was hanging in there, but not really going forward – like so many other places of similar demographics.

Kentucky’s real shot in the arm came with the whole ‘tree-change’ movement, where the area had the advantage in the location bun-fight in that it offered real bang for one’s real estate buck – acres of fertile granite soils to run horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas of course, and all the assorted barnyard motley crew that comes with living the rural dream. OK, so it’s a bit further out of town than other similar areas, but with the extra kilometres also came cheaper real estate, and an affordable place to live suddenly become a sought after little honey pot. This is where I believe the law of attraction really came into play; like everywhere, real estate prices jumped, and so did the fortunes of Kentucky.

So what if the reality of taking over an old weatherboard cottage and acreage is running out of water, fixing busted pumps, dealing with chicken-nicking foxes and various other travails that have been left out of the real estate blurb. Practicality, common sense and willingness to ask someone who actually knows what they’re doing goes a long way in these parts. Locals chuckle to themselves that “townies who think they know it all and aren’t smart enough to ask for help won‘t last long”, and it has to be said that that is pretty true.

Attempting the rural life without a good dose of practical country skill should not be taken on unless armed with a healthy measure of humility, coupled with the ability to listen … a good supply of alcohol is also highly recommended, both for oneself and the tradesmen or neighbours needed to help fix the various glitches that come with owning your own patch of dirt. A word to the wise … for goodness’ sake, make friends with neighbours. Chances are, they know more about your property than you ever will – like how your front verandah may get flooded after a particularly heavy downpour, or how that lush paddock  you think will fatten 20 weaners is actually a bumper crop of weeds which needed spraying 3 weeks ago.

Luckily for all concerned,  Kentucky has so far attracted a veritable cornucopia of the most fascinating characters, who have managed the rural transition with skill and enthusiasm. Interestingly, it seems to have a strong pull for creative, artistic people, and these newcomers have brought a wealth of new skills, hobbies, interests and businesses to our formerly rather sleepy community – and Kentucky has embraced them with open arms.

Unusual and interesting roadside gardens appeal to visitors, bikers and vintage car enthusiasts, who regularly tootle around the quiet lanes to catch glimpses of sculptures, flowers, stone meditation retreats and renovated churches, as well as the usual comforting rural scenes of hay baling and kids on ponies. They are luckily not put off by the odd spill around a particularly bad bend that has long since lost its slow down sign. There’s always an obliging local to pick them up, dust them off and send them on their way.

Some visitors include former residents and people who have worked here or visited Kentucky in its orcharding heyday, when buses of sight see-ers would flock out for a tour of the orchards when the  apple blossom was at its peak. They invariably remark that it is wonderful to see a resurgence in both visitors and things to do – especially such civilised pass-times as sipping coffee, tasting wine, touring rose gardens and visiting family friendly alpaca farms.

Meanwhile, it’s full steam ahead down at the local school … another lauded Principal took over a few years ago and has injected his own brand of diversity and academic achievement to its growing list of credentials. The Kentucky School kids are real little crowd pleasers,  earning their keep with the ability to make  hundreds of dollars for a few hours busking on their regular trips to Sydney to perform at … well … the Opera House, of course.  This is in between learning to ski at Lake Jindabyne and getting ready to tend their soon to be constructed Kitchen Garden, from which they will pluck fresh produce to turn into mouthwatering dishes in their specially designed kitchen – thanks to a prestigious newly awarded Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden grant. Whew.

There is a variety of extracurricular activites too, with regular classes held at the Hall by the Kentucky Progress Association offering such pursuits as clay modelling, archery and tennis, if one is so inclined; and of course, there are our very own village markets now being held quarterly.

Where previously the only real option for social interaction for adults was a snatched conversation by the petrol pump at the general store in the afternoon, locals now have extensive lunch, morning/afternoon tea and dinner options – and we’re talking the good stuff here too. Seared Salmon for lunch from the local store, cappucinos and cake or high tea  at the rose garden and to top it off, cocktails, wine tasting and a truly superb meal at the winery. And so it goes that life out in our neck of the woods is pretty good … pretty damned good.

Photos taken by Michael Taylor.

Register now for the new term of the 2012 YWCA NSW Encore Program, an innovative and inspiring approach to recovery from breast cancer surgery. It’s a proven exercise program offered free in Armidale by YWCA NSW.

The YWCA Encore Program is a gentle exercise program for those who have had breast cancer surgery, and it meets the physical needs and supports the wellbeing of women after the trauma of surgery in a nurturing and supportive environment. It can help whether your surgery was a few months ago, or 20 years ago.

A new study published in December 2011 in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship by University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing researchers highlighted the benefits of exercise for women who have experienced breast cancer, including those who develop lymphoedema, swelling that commonly occurs after breast cancer treatment. Lymphoedema can occur any time after cancer treatment and is usually caused by the removal or radiation of lymph nodes as part of the treatment process.

The Encore Program was created to improve movement, flexibility and strength after breast cancer surgery. It helps to reduce the potential risk of lymphoedema and can assist in the management of lymphoedema.

The incidence of breast cancer in Australia, published by the Federal Government’s Cancer Australia in June 2011, showed that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia increased from 5,291 in 1982 to 12,567 in 2007, but NSW has one of the lower incidence rates, with ACT being the highest and Northern Territory the lowest.

The YWCA Encore Program starts in Armidale Wednesday, 15 February 2012. It will run for eight (8) weeks until 4 April 2012 each Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm.

Because medical clearance is required, it’s important to register as soon as possible in order to secure a place at least two weeks prior to the class beginning, because the classes are small and intimate – so places fill up quickly.

Register by calling (02) 9285 6264 (Sydney) or 1800 305 150. Participation is free – just enrol.

The 8-week program (two hours per week) incorporates gentle floor and hydrotherapy exercises and is a perfect opportunity for relaxation and information-sharing among women with similar experiences. Studies have shown that exercise programs for most people who have experienced cancer in general can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, boost self-esteem and reduce symptoms of fatigue.

In NSW, YWCA Encore is funded by NSW Health.

Your family is quite well known in this area?

Yes. They’ve been well known for years in Armidale. My mum and dad talked to everyone. They weren’t afraid to talk to anyone, and they made a lot of friends. It didn’t matter who they were or what colour – they talked to everyone in the street, in the shops, or in meetings. They got on well with old Mr Piddington and old Mr Hanna – we had to call him Uncle Joe.

Tell us about your brother…

Frank was born 21 years before me, but he died at a young age – only 25. I feel like I lost my chance to know him, because I was only four when he went away – and I don’t remember that. He became Private Frank Archibald after he enlisted in Kempsey in August 1940, trained in Greta and later joined the 2/2 Australian Infantry Battalion.

Where did Frank serve?

After he left Australia, he sailed to Palestine and on to Egypt and fought at the Battle of Bardia, in Tobruk, Benghazi, Greece and Crete.

Did you see him after that?

Yes – only for a short time. When I was 8 or 9, Mum received a telegram to say he was coming home to Kempsey. She said to me, “Come on Grace. Get ready; we’re going in to meet your brother”.

We went in with the manager, Mr Jaeger. We looked all over town for my brother, but we couldn’t find him. On the way back to Burnt Bridge mission, I saw a soldierman standing near the big water tanks. I pointed him out, and my mother said, “That’s your brother”.

Frank used to call my sister and I and the nieces and nephews “the little fellas”. He took us to the flat near the school and he’d play football and rounders with us and turned the rope for skipping. We used stones to play jacks with our mum and dad joining in. We walked the hills, went rabbiting.  And we used to sit around the fire and sing and dance too – on Sundays we sang hymns, and during the week we sang songs my father taught us. Danny Boy was a favourite – my grandfather was Scottish.

Frank and my brother Ron were both home for about five or six weeks, before they went off to fight the Japanese on the Kokoda Trail. Malaria saved Ron. He was lucky. When he was in hospital, they bombed one half of it, and he was in the other half. So he was okay. But Frank was shot on November 24, 1942, trying to save a friend.

Did his friend live?

I’ve been told that man did survive. So, my brother died showing his compassion and courage. He received full military honours for his burial at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea. A lot of Australian servicemen are buried there. He’s lying with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal comrades who also died at that time.

We’ve been told you have the letters Frank and your brother Ronald wrote to your mother?

Yes. I treasure all my brothers’ letters. They talked about how they didn’t like the war, but they loved the countries. Frank escaped from one attack in a canoe, and he said it was lovely riding in that canoe.

A special letter sent by Snr Sergeant Ron Diamond said, “I can honestly say Frank was one of the most popular boys in the battalion, and his cheery disposition and ready smile, even in the darkest hours, made him an inspiration to us all”.

Frank was asked to be a sergeant too, but he said he didn’t want to tell his friends what to do; he’d rather they told him. So he passed it up.

You said you lost the chance to know Frank as a brother.

How do you feel now you are older?

Myself and my siblings and all Frank’s family and descendants have suffered knowing he’s buried away from his traditional home. In our culture, when people die, they are buried in the country of their ancestors. My dad really wanted to fetch him back to Armidale or Walcha. My mum said he was buried and laid to rest and that they were looking after the grave up there, so if my Dad was happy they should leave him there. I’d like to bring him back, but I must honour my parents’ decision.

Have you ever visited his grave?

No, but I hope to. My cousin Richard (Archibald), who lives in Wollongong, has been working hard to figure something out. Mr Colin Markham, a former MP there, has helped us a lot. They’ve raised private funds to help myself and Richard and some of the younger generations travel to Papua New Guinea next year for ANZAC day. If we can raise a bit more money, we’ll be able to go as a family.

Other Aboriginal people must have the same concerns about family who served in the armed forces being buried away from their country…

We know of other families whose men are buried at Bomana. There must be many more across Australia who lost loved ones in other battles and other places.

What does your family’s experience of war lead you to think now? 

When I watch television and see what’s going on now, I reckon it shouldn’t happen. Australian boys going over and getting killed … I don’t think they should be going. That’s just my opinion.

If they go, they should be treated better when they come back than our fellas were. They were treated something terrible. They weren’t allowed to drink in the pub, because they didn’t have a dog tag, they weren’t allowed in some cafés, and they had to use the side entrance to get into the pictures. That was an awful way to treat them.

What is your vision for our country for the future?

I’d like to see everyone get together, no matter what colour they are or where they come from – as long as they talk to one another and make friends. You need to be so careful now – who you talk to and how you talk to them and what you talk about. Things need to change … I’d like to see the drink and drugs go away too.

And one thing I would like to see the kids do is get their education. It’s a big thing, education. You need that certificate to get a job and have a good life.

Thanks Grace.

Joy, we can’t wait to see you in Tamworth for the 40th Jayco Tamworth Country Music Festival. One of the attractions this year will be Slim’s old Ford Fairlane ‘Ole Purple’, and I believe you’ll be driving it to Tamworth?

Joy: Yes, I am bringing Ole Purple up to the Festival. She’s being all checked over right now as a matter of fact, because she hasn’t been on the road for a while – so she’s just being brought up to date. She’s going to be in the Cavalcade.

But I think we will put her up on a truck. People can see her a lot better there. She’s been sitting in the garage at home, and Slim used to take her out regularly.

And of course, Ole Purple is one of the stars of The Slim Dusty Movie, which is being shown at the Festival this year in the park as one of a number of family movie nights?

That’s right. I’m going down there that night, and if we can find a good safe place for Purple, she might come down too.

Joy, you and Slim have had such a long association with Tamworth, and I think it’s significant that on the first night of the 40th Festival this year, you and your family are going to be heavily involved in the Opening Celebration – which is essentially going to be a showcase of the last 40 years. You must be looking forward to that?

I am. I think that’s a wonderful idea to do it as a showcase of the 40 years. I’ll be involved, and Anne and the Travelling Country Band will be too. I think it will be a great opening for the Festival.

The 40th Festival is using the title of the Slim Dusty classic, written by Don Walker, Looking Forward Looking Back as the theme. It sums up the feeling of the 40th Festival.

It has touched a lot of people that particular slogan, and it really does fit so well with what the Festival is trying to show for the 40th anniversary – so we were glad to do that.

You and Slim must have some great memories of Tamworth?

Yes indeed. The times that we have driven up there through floods, and one year we didn’t think we were going to make it, so we flew and then we flew through storms. Coming up to Tamworth, I remember the very first Awards and the big thrill of getting a Golden Guitar – it was all so unexpected. And you know, the thrill of the Festival and the Awards Night never dimmed over the years.

Your new book, I’ve Been There and Back Again is a wonderful collection of stories, songs and pictures of your life and times with Slim. How did it come about?

A lot of people had been saying to me I should do a book of my lyrics as poetry, and then another friend said it should be a coffee table book with nice big photographs. Then out of the blue, a publisher got in contact asking me to do a book for them – and she suggested a totally different book. When I told her about this idea, she absolutely loved it. So we thought, “Right … we’ll print the stories behind the songs, how they came to life, what they were based on, what they were about, why they were written, where they were written and what was happening in our lives at that time.” And therefore, I decided to use photographs from my personal albums and from my father’s albums. And that’s how the book came to be.

The Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey has been a labour of love for you. How is the centre looking?

Oh, it’s wonderful. We just recently had the official handover of the building to the Foundation in the symbolic shape of a key made out of the Red Cedar, and it means that the whole building is complete. All the car parking, lighting and landscaping – and we are now on the last leg. We have all the documentation designed for the interior. We now just have to raise the money to build that interior, so we are all pretty excited and getting ourselves together for a big push this coming year.

One of the first things we need is to raise money for safe road access into the building. Any donations would be very much appreciated and can be sent to PO Box 70, Kempsey or www.slimdustycentre.com.au

John, congratulations on being appointed the official photographer of the 40th Jayco Tamworth Country Music Festival. There’s a great vibe in Tamworth for the event …

It’s amazing for all sorts of reasons. There was a bit of a negative vibe around about the Festival, but it’s amazing how quickly that’s turned around. I think there are a lot of people in the industry who are pretty thrilled that there’s that focus this year, because it’s the 40th, on the respect for the tradition and respect for where the Festival’s come from. I think that the 40th is going to be a beauty!

When did you first come to Tamworth? 

1978.

What were your first thoughts on the Tamworth Country Music Festival when you first arrived?

Mate, I was thrilled. I was obviously a huge Country Music fan. I like taking pictures of interesting things, and that was there in abundance. There was music everywhere … really great music … every venue you went to had fantastic music. It was the music I loved; it was cool, and there were some real characters. That’s continued on, and I still get a thrill. I think I’ve been to almost 30 of them, and I still get a thrill every year when I go there.

John, you had a wonderful association with Slim Dusty. You worked with him for 15 years, you wrote and published a book On The Road With Slim and photographed 20 of his album covers. Apart from his music, what was it that made him so special?

He was fair dinkum; there was no pretence. Slim was Slim. He was exactly the same on stage and off stage, and I remember the thing that really attracted me to him was his loyalty to his audience. He was 100% devoted and committed to his audience, and everything else he did had to fit around that.

Joy McKean’s new book I’ve Been There And Back Again about her life and times with Slim uses photos from your collection. You must be thrilled with how the book has turned out?

Well, I was thrilled when Joy called and said she was doing a new book and she would like to use some of my pictures. Slim and Joy must have known from day one that what they were doing was important, because they’ve got the most incredible collection of photographs from all throughout those touring years.

Joy’s an incredible writer as well. She’s also so enthusiastic and passionate about what she does. She knows those stories are important to her and also important for Australia. Being in her 80s doesn’t slow her down at all.

Thanks Joy and John.

How long have you lived in Armidale?

After living in Surry Hills in Sydney, where we all thought we were the center of the universe I moved to a small College town in Massachusetts. It showed me how wonderful a small community can be and how the stress factor can be diminished. I arrived in Armidale in 2005.

When, where and why did you learn to produce videos?

My older sister took me to see European Art House films while I was in High School. At the same time I attended Worker’s Education Association classes on Film. I had edited the school magazine and was looking for some other artistic, extra curricula activity. So I started out self-taught and then went to TAFE in Newcastle where we got to use the local television station’s studio after the news had gone to air. I later went to University to study drama and Art School to learn more film production technique. My music videos were shown on all the networks on the early Eighties. My skill set has grown through hands on experience,.

How did you become involved with The Australian War Memorial?

While I was working at the Art Gallery of NSW, I produced large scale installations to compliment exhibitions. All of my work in the USA was done specifically for the Museum Environment, I produced exhibits for National Mississippi River Museum, Harry S.Truman Presidential Library and the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. I knew more about American history than most Americans.

Unlike Australia, most financing for museums in America comes from the private sector. The National D-Day Museum was financed by Tom Hanks, Spielberg and the Tabasco fortune. I often had huge budgets to work with. The centerpiece, ten-minute film for Mississippi Museum’s cost one and half million dollars. Many of my exhibits used diverse media combinations – some were elaborate soundscapes while most had some sort of visitor interactive element.

Even though I was an active anti-war activist in my youth, I gained a reputation as a producer of wartime, military and social history exhibits. As soon as I returned to Australia, I began teaching for TAFE in Screen & Media. During that first year I produced the largest projections ever done at the Art Gallery of NSW. For THE GODDESS Exhibition, opened by everyone’s favorite Goddess, Margaret Olley, I shot footage of clouds here in Armidale and had images of Hindu and Buddhist Goddesses appear and fade through the clouds.

On the basis of this project and work I did in the USA, I was asked to join a team designing and producing exhibits for the post-WW2 Gallery at the Australian War Memorial. Letter from Long Tan became the first commissioned film to go into the permanent collection of the AWM. It is screened in a purpose built theatre seating 15 at a time. It is expected that around eight million people will see it over the next ten years. I suspect President Obama may have seen it on his visit there last month.

Tell us about your film on The Battle Of Long Tan?

The film is structured in three parts: the prologue provides a brief context for the Battle; middle section is a re-creation of parts of the Battle itself; and the epilogue describes the aftermath as told by a letter from one of surviving diggers. As there are no rubber plantations in Australia, we opted for a hardwood plantation near Mackay. The skies were perfectly blue each day of shooting but we needed to make it look like it was happening during monsoonal rain at dusk.

I put together a highly experienced crew, including one of the best Special Effects directors in the country. He had done all the realistic gun fights in the film The Proposition. Half way into pre-production I was informed that I could not show any blood as school children make up a large proportion of the audience. Nevertheless, I managed to keep the Special Effects department busy creating explosions and smoke. The Australian Defense Forces and Reservists chipped in with help and probably contributed half of half million dollar budget for the ten minute film.

The film is projected onto a curved screen using three high definition projectors. The sound was mixed down from 97 tracks to a 7.1 surround with some serious bass effects and the sense of bullets flying overhead.

Your fondest moment in film?

After surviving damp days with artificial rainmakers, deadly snakes and all manner of explosions without any OH&S incidents, as we were wrapping on the final night one of the armorers offered our nurse (and one of safety officers) a chance to fire a pistol. As the shell ejected, it hit her on the forehead, right between her eyes leaving a tiny drop of blood. A perverse irony!

What are you teaching at TAFE?

I deliver courses in Screen & Media to High School students through the TVET program. We also teach three qualifications, beginning with Certificate IV and going through to Diploma and an Advanced Diploma. Some of our students are with us for nearly five years. We have a great success rate with graduates being employed in a range of crew role in film and television. There’s a broad skill base in filmmaking with writing, directing, camera operations, lighting, sound, editing and production management included. Our students get a taste of all of these and tend to select an area they are good at or love.

Plans for the future?

I guess I am one of the chosen ones to have the NBN functioning in my home. The new technologies in the delivery of learning and creativity using fibre optic bandwidth fascinate me and I am keen to be part of the experiments that are happening in this area. I will also be teaching courses in the use Social Media to Community and Small Business as this sector grows. It’s incredible how all this can happen living in a small town in rural Australia.

The most visible development about the school is the building work going on. How are things progressing?

The flagship project, of course, is the Primary Industries precinct, comprising a huge indoor arena equivalent to 12 tennis courts and an 18 stable-complex, to be officially opened in February.

Secondly, there has been plenty of building work to consolidate the St John’s Coeducational Junior School on the one site, centred on the historic Horbury-Hunt designed building. Now, all our St John’s students will be in bright, refurbished classrooms filled with natural light.

We have also been awarded Block Grant Authority funding of $850,000 to refit our science labs, including a rooftop learning space. So there’s no standing still!

The school is about students as much as buildings – many have had considerable individual success, particularly in sport?

Indeed. Holly Harris became the 17 years girls NSW champion in the sport of mountain bike riding, and at the first leg of the national titles in Perth last month, more than held her own against girls two years older than herself.

Kayla Wicks has had a tremendous year on the Tennis Australia junior circuit and is well on track to a national ranking in the top 200. Equestrian students Anna Moxham and Meagan Nolan both qualified for the Equestrian Australia National Interschool championships in Victoria, while Lexie McCullach and her kayaking partner from TAS set a record in the 111 km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.

Showing that our young women can hold their own against the men, Hannah Laurie was awarded an Australian Cricketers Association mentoring scholarship, following her selection in the Armidale Invitational XI that played an ACA Masters team that included noted cricketers Brad Hogg and Greg Matthews, amongst others.

But ultimately we are proud of all our students who strive to do their best and have a go – life is all about putting your hand up and taking part.

And not just in sport?

That is right. A group of our students were awarded second place in the Border Rivers Gwydir Catchment Management Authority Property Planning competition, while another group designed the winning chicken coop in a SLEX competition.

Students showcased their creative talents in the Armidale Eisteddfod, the TAS musical Grease, and the St John’s Junior School production of Seussical Jnr.

Ending the year was the magnificent news that 37 of our 41 HSC students achieved early acceptance into a university – many in the medical and science area, and also business. That is significantly higher than the past few years and is a great credit to the girls and their teachers.

There were some unique programs the girls took part in as well?

Yes. Three of our senior students visited Canberra as part of the Micah Challenge’s ‘Voices for Justice’ project, during which they lobbied politicians to help combat poverty at a global level. Our local Federal Member Tony Windsor accepted their invitation to be part of another initiative, the third Walk in Our Shoes Day, which raised awareness across the school community about the plight of the disadvantaged.

A number of students were delegates to conferences of Round Square, the global school organisation of which NEGS is a member. As educators of young women, we were also proud to host a day-long workshop for Year 9 students which empowered then to think and act positively, support others, and face the challenges placed by society and the media on peer-related issues such as body image.

The broader NEGS community also had the opportunity to come together. The second NEGS Beauty, Fashion, Hair, Health and Wellbeing Expo was a successful community and industry event. We were also delighted to welcome back to NEGS the first Mrs World Australia, Carin Hillman-Varma, who was the guest at the inaugural Foundation Rose Ball, that raised funds for our scholarship program.

You have just retired as Principal of NEGS. Looking back over your time at the school, what have been some of your proudest achievements?

I was fortunate to be a member of a team which undertook an extensive review of the school in 2009. From the 700 individual pieces of data we came up with 28 recommendations, 27 of which have been enacted. The school has also been able to commence repayment of our interest and debt to the tune of $700,000 in 2011. This is a significant achievement and consolidates the long term future of NEGS.

The confidence the Federal Government has in the school’s future is reflected in the continuing funding of our capital works program. The most recent grant for the refurbishment of the science building followed an intensive audit of the school’s finances, and this project will provide NEGS with state of the art laboratories.

Finally, the engagement of the alumni of this School through the drive of Mary Wright has been quite remarkable. This has been reflected in increased attendances at Old Girls’ meetings across Australia and at reunions during the Old Girls’ Weekend in September.

What is your outlook for NEGS in 2012?

There are many positives on the horizon – the appointment of an extremely well qualified and experienced Principal; the transformation of our financial base; the growth in enrolments; the positive community support; our restructured Parents and Friends’ Association; the interest being shown in NEGS from overseas; and, high staff morale, are all pointers to a magnificent outcome in 2012 and beyond.

And finally, what lies ahead for Ian Downs in his second attempt at retirement?

Having worked continuously in education and other roles for the past 49 years, it will be difficult not to remain active in the years ahead. I have been honoured by the NEGS Board of Directors to join the Board in 2012 and along with my Directorship of Homes North, the non-profit housing organisation in northern NSW, I have a ready-made professional focus in Armidale for the foreseeable future. I have been a thoroughbred racing steward for the past 25 years, and hopefully this role can continue, and it is also my intention to rejoin the local Lions Club – an organisation I abandoned in 2009.

On a personal plane, Shirley and I have a passion for gardening, and we need to revitalise the garden at home, wshile fishing and playing golf (I am a veritable hacker!) will occupy some of my spare time.

Thank you, and best wishes Ian.