Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre Project | Public & government service

Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre Project

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24.01.2022 This is our special (heavy!) bulllock yoke that I believe is from the Stanthorpe area in Qld. It is reputed to be from the last bullock team to work around there. It has the adze marks from its manufacture, plus heaps of nicks and fine scratches that give it a superb, glowing patina of age and use. Well over 100 years old. The old bush poets loved the Bullockies and their Teams and occasionally wrote wonderful ballads, often humourous, celebrating them. (even Banjo had a go a...t one!) We have worked hard to feature six of these ballads, now illustrated on very large wall-boards! They will be in a dedicated room with all sorts of bullocky-related gear including a scarce bar-type yoke-connecting chain, crosscut saw, original campfire-kettle (on a recreated campfire) from the old bullocky himself, books etc plus a large-screen surround-sound Video that puts you right there in the bush with the Bullock Team!! We are not a stock-standard museum thing.. in fact, not a museum at all!! Brevity and excellence are our goals. To be totally different. We want to inspire visitors... entertain them... to reinforce their love of the old Australia ... and never lecture. A WOW factor :) :) Here Australian history and Ballads (literary Culture) are combined.

23.01.2022 I hope this is interesting.... As the Centre is named after Banjo Paterson, it is appropriate that he should be introduced to visitors in a special way in the foyer. But how to do it??... Beautifully presented portraits have a warmth, don't they? They are grand and seem to command respect. So.... here is an original item that we fabricated mostly ourselves, starting with an existing, classical, gold, outer-frame from our stock of things. The portrait is on 300gsm archival paper, sourced in France, using inks that have a 200 years fade-proof guarantee. Meant for wall-mounting, it uses a textured, velvet, burgundy, furnishing fabric applied over a backing board. As there is no frontal glass, except over the portrait itself, it is very Tactile and personal. A simple frame-within-a frame concept. The golds do not show up in photos, but are quite breathtaking in real life! (click picture to view) We hope that Banjo, the great Australian balladist, would have been really pleased with our effort. I think that it is quite creative and unique!

22.01.2022 Paul Bailey (an early member of The Shearers Tally Bush Band) made this accurate comment, "Banjo Paterson gave us the words to Waltzing Matilda. Banjo is a cultural icon as big as the three sisters in the Blue Mountains! The Cultural Centre can become a hub for that era. This Cultural Centre would attract the donation of many priceless icons lurking in collectors' cupboards - collectors who are silently and frustratedly waiting for a Hub such as this to receive the donatio...n of their heirloom." Important heritage things when hidden away do no good .... but when kindly and generously shared with fellow Australians, they come alive and bring joy to all. As a collector I know what a buzz one can get from gathering nice things but there is a far, far bigger buzz to be had when one sees their items lovingly and beautifully presented. This will be a Privately funded and managed Cultural Centre! So our hearts are right in it. We genuinely adore all real Australian cultural material, especially the old bush balladists... and sharing it in the best way possible. Here is another item from our sizeable Waltzing Matilda exhibit. This 1938 78rpm Peter Dawson - Waltzing Matilda recording is continuously heard playing from inside this vintage windup gramophone! Complete with all original track crackle and hash! Such atmosphere..!

17.01.2022 Here are two old accordions from the Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre's music collection. One could perhaps imagine them being played around a campfire many years ago? 1. The large one (identified from searching the internet) is a : "Hohner Vienna 1140 Pokerwork in C 1-Row 10-Treble 4-Bass Diatonic Accordion" .. sometimes called a one row, ten-button accordion, (apparently).... In excellent condition for approx 90yo, it was used in performances in the late 1920's and afterwards by Leonard Lohman (aka Pudd, as in pudding). 1907 - 1960. (see pic). He was Karen's great uncle. It eventually became the property of his older brother Harry. Subsequently, ownership passed to Harry's daughter Fay Finger (nee Lohman) who has very kindly gifted it to the Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre. A very exciting working acquisition for visitors to appreciate for decades to come. 2. The small concertina... I am not sure of. An old, very-played concertina that I obtained. It is in need of some (eventual) restoration. Bellows OK though. Jim Grahame the Bush Balladist and a friend of Henry Lawson spoke of "Concertina Jack", a bush character, in a poem; He played while they danced till the sun went down And the west was arched by a golden glow And some of them shuffled and swayed and swung Till night closed in and they had to go. Then the 'possums and owls and night-hawks came And some of the things that crawl and creep; But over the keys his fingers flew With never a thought of rest or sleep. etc.

12.01.2022 Featured in the latest edition of Beacon magazine Edition 11 page 44-45 is our article on "Jacko - The Broadcasting Kookaburra." https://thebeacon.com.au/magazine-publications/ Jacko was a famous and actual kookaburra who could laugh on cue and his voice was heard at the start of Radio Australia broadcasts. He was so popular with listeners that a 1933 book entitled "Jacko. The Broadcasting Kookaburra" was published that included illustrations by Dorothy Wall (who created Bli...nky Bill). A 78rpm recording featuring Jacko was made in Sydney in 1933 with Jacko's voice, and his personal story told in two parts. We have a copy, complete with original paper sleeve. Very exciting! His voice went overseas and a newspaper article in the USA tells of a normally placid bulldog in an American home going crazy when it heard Jacko's laugh. It savagely attacked the radio, trying to shred the speaker! We have completed a major presentation on Jacko for the Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre (Old Time Radio section). Our book copy was presented at Toolangi State School by the wife of C J Dennis (The Sentimental Bloke) which makes it very special. Jacko is bound to be popular with children. He is not just an ordinary kookaburra... but a real Australian character and cultural icon.

12.01.2022 I am thrilled to have been afforded the honour of being able to purchase a large portion of the swimming memorabilia of the estate of the late Mr. Fred Lane (1880 - 1969). Fred was the first to win a gold medal in swimming for Australia with two olympic gold medals in Paris 1900. He still holds the World Record in the 200m Obstacle Event (discontinued). This very valuable and "important to Australia" collection totals around 50 separate items, mostly dated around 1900.... Sadly much of Fred's memorabilia was destroyed in a house fire, including the Olympic gold medals. We have been fortunate in obtaining what we did! Much of his material requires careful restoration, being more than 120 years old. All that work has been started. How wonderful it is to be able to feature an original Australian sporting celebrity! ... bring him to life... for all those who have never heard of him. A great Australian. We are enlarging a photo to produce a life-size image of Fred Lane!! It will be a joy and a privilege to have this special collection on permanent display for visitors to admire and appreciate. :)

11.01.2022 The Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre includes a unique presentation of forty excellent old bush poets, including the much loved Henry Lawson. However.. that is only a small part of the story. We are really all about the truly wonderful world of fabulous Australian Culture. We will be by far Australia's first and only truly Australian Cultural Centre.... Drawing from and adding to the vast Harding Collection and with many years invested in preparing magnificent displays, we have hundreds of fascinating items that are beautifully presented. They all have a story to tell. If you knew nothing about Australia's real culture when you visited The Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre, you will be an expert on it when you leave! Who has heard of Dad and Dave?.. the old time radio serial. It gets a mention in our Australian Old Time Radio section, but who also knew that there was a song with a dance called The Snake Gully Swagger? Dad and Dave lived in Snake Gully. This dance will be featured in our fascinating Australian Dance section. Adults and children may even have the opportunity to learn a few steps! Here is a preview....

10.01.2022 An interesting exercise.... Several years ago we produced this display showing replicas of the medals and awards of Banjo Paterson. Something never done before. Carefully researched, each medal is clearly labelled. It is unique and will be on display only at the proposed Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre. ... Karen's stunning and detailed presentation on black-satin took many hours to meticulously craft... lots of coffees! Under special spotlights I expect it will look fabulous. Also pictured is our professionally bound (buckram boards and gilt hand-embossed) complete set of the Military Records of Banjo and Nathaniel (first cousin). (Banjo's material is only a small part of the Exhibition)

08.01.2022 https://thebeacon.com.au/magazine-publications/ The latest Fraser Coast Beacon Magazine is out and it includes our article (Issue 12, Page 34) on Nellie Stewart who was a "turn of the century" Australian actress, singer and all-round lovely lady with a connection to Henry Lawson. Her display will be a major feature in the section of the Banjo Paterson Cultural Centre that deals with the theatre and its cultural development and influence within Australia.

06.01.2022 With apologies to those who have seen this before on my own page. A really exciting acquisition for the Paterson Cultural Centre is this replica Queenslander-style House (1:10 scale) constructed by a Maryborough Qld builder in 1935. This photo was taken at the previous owner's house in Maryborough where it was stored forever. Truly magnificent!! The attention to detail is remarkable. All windows/doors open. Even has internal lighting. ... Better perhaps than the usual grand building facades, this beauty represents truly Australian Architectural Culture. I recall driving up to Qld for the first time and thinking "what are all those funny houses on poles?" Had to compete with major State Museums and others who I believe were considering it. No messing around, we just grabbed it. I think that it represents a very important aspect of Australia's true culture. The classic Queenslander. Grand old lady. We have a lovely display dedicated to this important Australian aspect.This remarkable model is the centrepiece of it. It is very popular with visitors here. Cannot drag them away from it!

03.01.2022 Many folk would have fond recollections of the original Blinky Bill from their childhood. Written and illustrated by Dorothy Wall. These charming books (shown here) are original copies from the 1930's and early 1940's. Together they form part of a lovely, colourful display on Blinky Bill in the proposed Paterson Centre. ... The 7" 33rpm flexi-record 1971 ("Have You Met Blinky Bill?") is by the late Ross Higgins (Kingswood Country, TV series). Ross also recorded two Blinky Bill LP's and these are also presented along with a little bit of information about Dorothy and Ross. One other book shown is Australians All, containing simple bush verses for children, partly illustrated by Dorothy Wall. Blinky Bill and his friends are on the cover. They mostly relate to Australian animals. Children's vintage Australian rhyming verse. Personally I think Blinky was and still is an inspiration! Pretty good for a koala bear.

02.01.2022 Banjo signed and dated a book of his own Collected Work for his first cousin Nathaniel Barton. This wonderful book was then signed by Nat and gifted to his son Arthur, and it has found its way to us, 90 years later. Also this WW1 Aust Army Medical Corp armband belonged to Nat. He wrote his WW2 rank of Lt. Col on it, and it is believed to have seen service in two world wars. It has Light Horse identifications on it from WW1 .. Nat's own unit. My grandfather was on Gallipoli wi...th the 2nd Field Ambulance when Nat was evacuated as wounded, so maybe he attended him? Also shown are Nat's medals in replica. Like his cousin Banjo, he was also awarded a CBE. Nat was a great Australian. We will present him, and the story of his military adventures, to visitors!