Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

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Times Past Arts boosted by open-air theatre Times Past Avalon Public School opened in August 1950 with Les McGuire as the inaugural headmaster (and teacher of 4th to 6th Grade classes) and his wife Doss as the teacher of the Kindergarten to 3rd Grade class students. Les McGuire had an incredible ability to galvanise the community, engaging it to provide for the many needs of the new school. One of the primary needs he saw was the construction of a hall or theatre where drama could be performed. There were many people in the community already involved in drama, music and art. Avalon Beach was 39 kilometres from Sydney with no theatre close-by. The Avalon Evening College began in 1953 and drama was one of the more popular courses, with a keen following early. Of course, it too required a performance area, although Mr McGuire saw the theatre especially as a “first-rate stimulus to children’s expression”. Parents and Citizens’ (P&C) meetings were convened soon after August 1950 and a Works Committee was elected to organise construction of the theatre. Members of the committee included an architect, a master builder and others with practical theatre experience. The school first operated in a double portable building; however, student numbers grew so rapidly that a second building was soon needed. A second building was obtained and sited parallel to the first but a sufficient distance apart (to the south) to allow for an ‘auditorium’ for the future theatre between the two buildings. A third building (a disused RAAF building) was then secured and placed at the western end of the space but set back to allow for a 7.5 metres by 5-metres stage. This building was to serve as the theatre dressing room. A grant of $130 enabled the purchase of bricks and timber and an enthusiastic band of parents soon had the floor of the stage constructed. The P&C then managed to obtain enough timber on credit for the framework of the stage and in one weekend the stage was erected. The roof for some months was an untidy collection of massive tarpaulins draped over the skeleton structure during a performance and laboriously removed afterwards. The walls were clad with fibro and timber donated by a generous patron and a roof of malthoid was then laid. Unfortunately this roof was wrenched off violently during a sudden winter storm and was later replaced with corrugated iron. After two years of hiring or borrowing seating for each performance an appeal brought a sum of $300. “Fifty gaily coloured garden seats each 5 feet in length” were purchased and by March 1953 these provided permanent seating for over 200 adults. (I remember the theatre well and playing the part of Balthasar, one of the three wise men, in a Christmas Nativity performance in the 1950s!) TIMES PAST is supplied by local historian and President of the Avalon Beach Historical Society GEOFF SEARL. Visit the Society’s showroom in Bowling Green Lane, Avalon Beach. 72 APRIL 2017 Celebrating 25 Years
Travel Life Find a beat to suit you on 2017 music cruises Cruiseco have four exclusive music cruises cruising the South Pacific, roundtrip from Sydney this year. Embark the four star 2,110-guest Radiance of the Seas, unpack once – then get set for some of the best international and Australian artists on the high seas. Cruisin’ Country 7, departing October 8, is all about the family. Over eight fun-filled nights (via Loyalty Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia) guests will enjoy dance lessons, song writing and guitar workshops – not to mention performances from illustrious country music artists including Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, and Beccy Cole. Travel View’s Karen Robinson recommends you book quickly as Interior cabins are already sold out, with Oceanview staterooms and above still available, starting from $3,345pp, twin share. On Rock the Boat 7 – billed as Australia’s biggest rock ’n’ roll festival at sea – guests will be taken on a nostalgic journey reliving the greatest decades of popular music. “It will feature over 30 artists including UK legends Status Quo and Australian rock legends Baby Animals, Jon Stevens and Jack Jones, coupled with rock ’n’ roll dancing lessons and live performances,” said Karen. This extraordinary seven-night round trip from Sydney, departing October 16, starts from $3,195pp, twin share in an Oceanview stateroom (limited availability). Following the success of 2013’s inaugural Cruise N Groove cruise, the best dance music from the ’70s through the ’90s will be featured during eight nights aboard Cruise N Groove 2017, departing October 23. “Charttopping artists include KC and the Sunshine Band, Boney M, Marcia Hines, Paul Young and Go West,” Karen said. All new bookings, made by April 30, include a generous discount of $1,000 per person – with twin share starting from $1,757pp (subject to availability). Last, Bravo – the cruise of the performing arts – departs October 31 for a seven-night journey. “With over 30 acts and artists it will showcase the biggest line-up ever assembled on water – including international acclaimed Spanish tenor Jose Carreras in one of his final performances,” Karen said. “Other highlight acts include David Hobson, Marina Prior, Jonathan Welch and Emma Pask.” Cruise fares start from $2,686pp, twin share in an Interior stateroom. * Travel View, a member of Cruiseco, welcome enquiries and bookings; contact them on 9918 4444. Travel Life Celebrating 25 Years APRIL 2017 73
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Celebrating 25 Years STRAIGHT SHOOT
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FREE LOCAL MONTHLY INDEPENDENT DIST
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News Guide to 2017 ANZAC Details of
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Page 21 and 22: Lend a ‘Hand’ for kids charity
Page 23 and 24: third annual Charity Golf Day at Cr
Page 25 and 26: Nothing but bouquets for Avalon Unc
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Page 30: Life Stories an only child,” she
Page 33 and 34: ACOP celebrates golden anniversary
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Page 39 and 40: PL’s APRIL SURF CALENDAR April 1-
Page 41 and 42: Health & Wellbeing Arm yourself aga
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Page 45 and 46: Scale to rate your hunger As the we
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Page 51 and 52: government and generators. I have w
Page 53 and 54: from 800g to 750g, but the company
Page 55 and 56: Part 10 of the legislation; and n P
Page 57 and 58: Trades & Services Celebrating 25 Ye
Page 59 and 60: the good life dining food crossword
Page 61 and 62: from $2 to $10.80 include egg custa
Page 63 and 64: Ninja can accommodate up to 40 gues
Page 65 and 66: For more recipes go to www.janelleb
Page 67 and 68: 25 26 27 28 29 Pittwater Puzzler 30
Page 69 and 70: Interested in seed saving? Permacul
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