Hello to All Members and Friends!
I know not everyone lives in Adelaide, however feel it best to let all members know what we are up to! Hope to be travelling intra and inter-state soon. Please read below about current events and happenings:
Recent News:
- The Lone Pine Exhibition was popular and well received. A former parliamentary colleague, Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC (who has a long association with the military and was also part of the delegation that visited Lone Pine in 2015), posted a photo and among other very kind remarks said, “the exhibition was fascinating and showcased over 65 items relating to WW1 and the support Australian troops received from the home front”. Again, special thanks to Denise for mounting the exhibition.
- The combined general meeting and Balloon Week observances will feature another
exhibition, again at NCW House. Some very exciting items relating to the Balloon
Protest have been acquired and will be on show. - Children’s book/s – The Committee will be meeting (prior to the general meeting) to
discuss the way forward, particularly with the children’s book and how to take
advantage of any grants that may be on offer. We are grateful Collette has indicated
she is keen to be involved on this book project as well – we know how busy she is with
fulltime work and all her other commitments. - Inquiries continue to be made with The Society about all sorts of things. Our friend Mari
at Westminster passed our contact details to an academic/author who will be writing an
historical fiction book after hearing about MM via Robert Wainwright’s book. - And a well-known SA identity who was looking for an Adelaide link to Queen Consort
Camilla luckily mentioned this to Lord Mayor Jane, who kindly put her in touch with The
Society. The link, via the monograph illustration (are we glad we included it!) has been
established and will be featured in talks to take place initially here, and then throughout
the country. All publicity is good! - Congratulations to our member Alexandrea Cannon on recognition of her contributions to business (among other things!) via her recent award in the New Year’s Honours.
- Lots of positive feed-back from schools and recipients of Muriel Matters Award. Will be
in Brisbane in July to see if we can get it into Queensland schools. Thanks must go to
Malcolm McInerney (retiring from the Education Department soon), who organised the
awards into SA schools – his organisational work of his team was invaluable. We look
forward to working with the person who takes over. - 9 x 10 minute plays were recently presented by Red Phoenix Theatre and Holden
Street Theatres ‘A Promenade of Shorts’ – did anyone go? One was ‘Silent Sentinels’
about the women who campaigned for the right to vote 1917-1919. Grateful to our
member Libby (who directed ‘Blue Stockings’ in 2021 – a play I really enjoyed) and will
keep us in the loop of future productions. - Special mention about photographic assistance from Peter Thurmer. He has kindly
‘cleaned up’ a recently purchased Hastings post card and will soon work his magic on
another recent buy. Thank you, Peter! Your work is greatly appreciated. - Likewise contributions from Mark Thomson – we will soon have some more glass slides
for the Magic Lantern, so he will need to dust off his white gloves and coat (please)!
Merchandise, Talks and Membership
- Design of new merchandise items nearing completion – watch this space!
- Please remember our merchandise items make great gifts (and you can place an
- order on-line)!
- Starting to get busy with group talk bookings – especially around International Women’s
- Day.
- Thank you to the many members and organisations who have already paid their subscriptions – mailing of receipts in progress. Again, special thanks to members who also make donations – these extra funds really help! Please remember (as per AGM resolution): New annual membership/subscription rates after 30/6/23 are $20 Full and $10 Concession.
The Muriel Matters Society 