Hello Dear Members and Friends!
The year continues to fly, with Easter already behind us and much going on locally and beyond. Please read below about current events and happenings:
Recent News:
- The Balloon Protest Event exhibition, launched at the general meeting on Sunday 26 February was great fun. As with previous exhibitions, new items have been acquired – allowing for the expanded ‘Balloon Flight Display’ to become The Society’s History Month activity. While it was not possible to have an entry in the hard copy program, the event will be in the on-line program. It’s well worth a visit (see details in box above) and members are more than welcome to bring family and friends.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK? A ‘gala dinner’, at the Adelaide Town Hall (where Muriel
appeared in June 1910), is being explored, to be held at the end of October. Members
are asked for their thoughts – at roughly $75, it would include a meal and wines, a
performance and guest speaker. WOULD YOU SUPPORT SUCH AN EVENT? - Since our last general meeting, there was a break-in at NCW House. The window in the
MMS/Ruth Gibson Room was smashed but luckily there was no damage to the
beautiful curtains. The room was ransacked but the only items stolen were a set of 6
coloured vintage (over 100 years old) postcards, of French influence, showing balloons
and balloonists – mostly women; and our new First Aid kit!! Thankfully, no damage was
done to any display cases or to any other part of the house, however the back screen
door proved to be a formidable last line of defence and was rendered completely
useless after being kicked out by the perpetrator. - Our dear US friend Ken Florey’s postcard has arrived! Ken (of the US Journal ‘The
Clarion’ fame) has very kindly swapped his autographed WFL ‘How The Vote was Won’
cast postcard with our (unautographed) card – at no cost. This wonderful gesture
means we have another item Muriel ‘touched’, and we are truly grateful for this
tremendous kindness. It will be the featured item in a future exhibition. - Children’s book/s – some preliminary planning work has begun! More on this very
important project soon. - Frances recently made an appearance on Malcolm Harslett’s Ch 44 ‘Our Time’ program. As usual, Malcolm was very kind in allowing Muriel promotion to take up most of the interview. Through his Adelaide theatre connection, he has worked closely with Teresa DeGennaro – our very first ‘Muriel’ star.
- Macca – star of ABC radio’s iconic Sunday morning program ‘Australia All Over’ also
got a dose of Muriel and her Balloon Protest, on the weekend of the recent Avalon Air
Show. Although he has previously been informed of her existence, he was interested to
hear of her aeronautical exploits. - The relentless pursuit of items for the collection continues. It’s a dog-eat-dog world at
auctions and accessing items through catalogues. Sadly, we just missed a set of 10
(very expensive!) UK themed suffrage magic lantern slides. Nevertheless, some very
interesting items have recently been acquired and one of the next exhibitions could
focus on the White Star Line (of Titanic fame) and Muriel’s various sea voyages. - Celebrity Stalking has again become a focus of activities (and remains so!!).
Ambassador Caroline Kennedy received a complimentary bag of Society
merchandise, including the monograph, at the monster IWD Breakfast. She was most
interested to learn Muriel held /US Citizenship through her marriage to Bostonian
dentist, William Arnold Porter (as she has family connections to Boston, too).
During his recent Adelaide tour, UK singer Billy Bragg received a visit and monograph.
One of his CD covers features an image of a pair of bolt cutters, very similar to those
used to cut Muriel off the Ladies Gallery. He didn’t know about MM as the inspiration for
him to use it came from the women anti-nuclear protesters at Greenham Common
Peace Camp – showing just how universal and eternal suffrage tactics (in this
case – chaining) are, and how the same issues continue to threaten the world’s wellbeing.
Obituaries
It is with great sadness we advise of the passing of Lady Joan Neal. The much-loved wife of former SA Governor Sir Eric Neal has always been a Muriel supporter. Lady Joan made a significant contribution to the state and we gratefully acknowledged her contribution and friendship via a sympathy card sent to her family.
Merchandise, Talks and Membership
- Thanks to Flinders University for the opportunity to speak with a delegation of women from
- Vietnam, and their purchase of merchandise for the group.
- Again, thank you to all members who have already paid their subscriptions – we are catching up with mailing of receipts and apologise for any delay in you receiving yours. Special thanks to members who also make donations – these extra funds really help! And please remember, New membership rates apply from 1/7/23.
The Muriel Matters Society 