Herbert ‘Bert’ Oxenford (1897-1966) was hooked on rifle shooting as soon as he won his first club championship in 1919. However, it would slowly become a family affair. Bert’s sons, John and Rex (1927-2017), were only teenagers when they first accompanied their father to the club (then situated in South Grafton). His passion was infectious […]
In 2006, as international visitors flocked to Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games, another event managed to draw their attention from sporting fields to stages. Festival Melbourne was a cultural program of free events coinciding with the Games which promised eleven days of non-stop music, dance, street theatre, and visual arts in venues around the state. […]
When it comes to the history of circus arts, Australia has a major claim to fame: tightwire artist, Con Colleano (1899-1973). Born in Lismore, Colleano started performing when he was just a child and later become an international success by perfecting the forward somersault on a tightwire – a feat previously considered impossible seeing as […]
When Felix’s father dies in a bushfire, it seems a long-standing promise has been broken. However, after the ten-year-old is whisked away to the big city, a magical book takes him on a rollicking journey across foreign lands which might help him come to terms with the loss of his father. Of course, not without […]
When the Nanjing Acrobatic Group returned to Albury, what once felt totally unconventional had become a warm reunion between friends. Most of the trainers had conducted the three-month training program which had happened two years prior. Now, the troupe (which included Lu Yi, Lu Guangrong, Chen Meihong, Yang Xiaodi, Liu Yinghai, and Qian Jianping) were […]
As the train ambled into the Albury train station in 1983, it was met by a motley crew of excitable children and adult circus performers. An admittedly off-kilter marching band announced the arrival of the Nanjing Acrobatic Group as they cautiously stepped onto the platform and eager clowns rushed to greet them. One attendee wore […]
When it comes to the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, a certain warmth and DIY-attitude has permeated their creative vision. Props, backdrops, and banners (like this one) used in performances have often been adorned with youthful, hand-painted designs which match the energy of the children onstage. But while it is true that a sense of personality […]
After the first Flying Fruit Fly Circus (FFFC) show in 1979, the Murray River Performing Group (MRPG) were keen to continue working with the children who had made it such a success. To build their skills further, the group invited some big names in Australian circus arts to become trainers, including Pixi and Jim Anderson […]
When the Murray River Performing Group began in 1979, it was made up of only nine artists who had dedicated themselves to performing and touring theatrical productions in Albury-Wodonga and throughout the Murray River region. Clearly committed to their goal, within one year the group had managed to perform in over forty venues. However, the […]
Don’t be deceived – these sparkling clean stainless steel vessels have a far from pristine history. Originally from Narrabri District Hospital, this bedpan was used by patients to urinate and defecate, while the basin could assist with any necessary washing. Made from Paramount stainless steel, they would have been used, cleaned, and then used again. […]
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