Wil Anderson, Lindsay Webb and pissed punters

09/11/201304/03/20152 Comments

I haven’t seen a lot of live comedy. Not for any particular reason other than – in my previous life I was occasionally apathetic about doing ‘stuff’. My working week felt really full-on; so much so that on weekends I really just wanted to hibernate.

In fact, other than seeing the guys from Oz TV show, The Chaser at a writers festival, the only other comedy act I can recall seeing was an Irish comedian / actor – Dylan Moran. (Who I find bizarrely attractive in his role as Bernard in the TV show Black Books!)

But, because I’m trying to be a ‘joiner’ in my new hometown, I’m doing more than I would previously have done. That means going to some festivals and shows which I’d prefer to avoid as well as those I’m keen to attend.

When I saw Wil Anderson was coming to Hervey Bay I was stoked. I’m not a rabid stalker-like fan, but I remember the days of The Glasshouse and love the Gruen franchise. A friend and I bought our tickets as soon as they went on sale, lest we miss out, and a month or so later rocked up to the RSL (my first visit other than for meetings!).

There was a good crowd. 300+ I think, which is great. I loved that there were a wide range of peeps there as well – crisscrossing the generations. Indeed there seemed to be entire families in attendance.

And support act (Brissy comedian) Lindsay Webb was friggin’ hilarious. He mostly chatted to the audience, thought on his feet and had us all in hysterics.

Although it was during Lindsay’s performance… we started to see the ugly side of attention-seeking pissy patrons.

Sadly by the time Wil appeared a few members of the crowd were fairly shit-faced.

I suspect I sound like a nanna; but I enjoy a drink as much as the next person. Back in the day I had those nights when I was as pissed as a fart or struggled to remember what happened between arriving at the races at 2pm and being in my kitchen 8hrs later. But I like to think I was never rude or disrespectful when pissed. (Although I’m fairly sure I was amazingly witty and hilarious!)

I guess live performers are used to the ‘great unwashed’ rabble, but I was really disappointed in the behavior of a few attendees. They’d obviously been drinking heavily before the show started and others at our table agreed that it was a waste of $40 to come to something like that and struggle to remember any of it the next day.

Worse than that though, they ruined the show for other punters. One woman constantly shouted out comments throughout the show (although was silent at the end and I was wondering if she fell asleep); another guy chatted to friends at his table constantly; a couple of pissed women stood to one side (near the bar) and talked LOUDLY – seemingly not paying any attention to Lindsay or Wil; and one woman interrupted Wil’s routine with a ridiculously inane question about our foreign Minister. I mean… What. The. Actual. Fuck?!

I felt terribly embarrassed: We have quality performers coming to our town and we disrespect them?!

Earlier in the day I saw a tweet from a young person complaining about Hervey Bay residents.

“Oh, that’s a bit harsh,” I thought when I read it. But just hours later I was thinking the same thing.

Having said that – and had my whinge – I know that the majority of people in the town and region and those at last night’s show, aren’t rude or ignorant. However… sometimes it’s easy to forget that.

#Inothernews, Wil was also great. He was a bit thrown by the Julie Bishop question but other than that I loved his rants about the media – particularly talkback radio (as I just had a similar rant in my Debbish blog!).

PS. And Sarah… I’m fairly sure Julie Bishop is female. Had your question touched on her competence or policies it might have provided Wil with some comedic fodder, alas…

Superboats in the Bay

06/11/201304/03/20152 Comments

If you’re hoping for some peace and quiet in Hervey Bay this weekend you’ll be sadly disappointed.

Fortunately the sounds echoing along the esplanade will also provide some entertainment as Hervey Bay plays host to the final round of the Australian Offshore Superboat Championships on 9-10 November.

If you’re like me, the fact that the competing classes are Supercat(s) 1000HP, 600HP and 400HP, will mean nothing. However I’m reliably informed that just watching the spectacle will get your heart pumping.

Indeed, the Championships website describes what we’ll see:

“state of the art powerboats racing inches apart with a pilot strapped into jet fighter canopies combine to produce the drama, danger and excitement.”

Ummm eek!

Teams will be arriving at the boat harbour in Urangan from Friday afternoon, but there’ll be much more on offer over the weekend.

Activities will be held in Scarness Park on both Saturday and Sunday and there’ll be a large screen near the beach as well as live streaming of the races via the web or MotorsportTV app.

Saturday 9th November
12 – 1pm – Pole position shoot out
3.30pm – Street parade

Sunday 10th November
10am – 10:30am: Pre race aquatic entertainment
11am – 11:30am: RACE 1
1pm – 1:30pm: RACE 2

There will be plenty of vantage points along the beach and a number of charter boats are offering the opportunity to watch the event from the water. (I have to admit the idea of floating about the sea drinking champagne while watching the races sounds kinda tempting BUT most are offering a seafood lunch. And I don’t ‘do’ seafood. #sadface So, I’ll be watching it from the beach with everyone else!)

Previous heats of the 2013 Offshore Superboat Championships have been held in Newcastle, Mackay, Townsville, Coffs Harbour, Redcliffe and the sixth and final race in Hervey Bay is supported by Fraser Coast Opportunities and the Hervey Bay Boat Club.

If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, you’ll find some options here.

PS. For comedy fans Wil Anderson will be appearing at the Hervey Bay RSL Club on Saturday night as well. More information re time and tickets is available on the Club website. I’m going and really looking forward to it!

Maryborough Open House

18/10/201304/03/2015Leave a comment

Last year I was very briefly homeless during my move from Brisbane to Hervey Bay. Unsurprisingly the settlement for the sale of my old place and purchase of my new place didn’t quite synchronise so I bunked at my mother’s in Maryborough for a nearly a week.

As coincidence would have it, the inaugural Maryborough Open House took place while I was there.

I’m actually not much of a tourist (ie – I hate sightseeing and similar); but as I was determined to make more of an effort in my new life to participate in community events, the Open House gave me the perfect opportunity to start on the right foot! #orsomething

Fortunately my mother had been to a few of the places with another friend the day before so – being well-versed in my low level of tolerance – she whipped up a list of ‘what we should see’.

You’ll see from last year’s post that (surprisingly) I enjoyed the visits (fave places in the pic to the left!) and used it to get some ideas for my new abode. Indeed – my new place is far brighter and cheerier than my last apartment. I even have a patchwork quilt!

And – after that long introduction – I’m pleased to say that it’s THAT time again.

The 2013 Maryborough Open House Event will be held over the weekend of 26-27 October.

Last year I predominantly stuck to houses so I’m aiming to target some different places this year and am particularly keen on visiting some of Maryborough’s CBD and riverside beauties. I vaguely recollect borrowing Noddy books from the School of the Arts in the early-mid 1970s so am eager to see if it rekindles any old memories. (Pic below from Open House Facebook page!)

A full list of buildings and houses which will be open to the public is available from the website, which also includes details of how to get to Maryborough and accommodation information.

There’s a program of events attached to the Open House celebrations, including a guided bus tour and archeological dig and the festivities will also coincide with regular events – cemetery tours, ghost tours, Gatakers by Night and Sunday in the Park.

You may recall I enjoyed the last Gatakers by Night event so I’ll be dragging someone along to that with me on Saturday 26 October. I understand the entertainment this time around includes a local choral group doing excerpts from Broadway musicals as well as a classical guitarist. Drinks are available for purchase on the night (beer, wine, tea, coffee and softdrinks) as well as wood-fired pizzas and I believe there’s usually cake!

To keep up-to-date you may wish to ‘like’ Maryborough Open House on Facebook.

Will I see you there?

Too much of a good thing?

14/10/201304/03/20152 Comments

The inaugural Hervey Bay Food and Wine Festival took place on the weekend – a two-day event held in the Pier Park at Urangan.

I was keen to attend (as I live near the Pier Park where it was held) but prevaricated a little. On one hand I like to try to support local events and – well… wine, music and food – what’s not to love? On the other hand, I’m a bit festivalled-out.

I gather (from talking to friends and family) that others feel the same. There have been A LOT of big events packed into the last six or so months here on the Fraser Coast: Relish, Mary Poppins Festival, Craft Festival, Whale Festival and the Seafood Festival.

In the last month alone in Hervey Bay, we’ve had the Pier Festival, 150th birthday celebrations, Tour de Bay and now the Food and Wine Festival. On top of that we’ve got the Beerfest, Torbanlea Races, Maryborough Open House and Melbourne Cup celebrations in the next month. To cap all of that off, there’s my one-year-back-on-the-Fraser Coast-anniversary! (Obviously a cause of celebration. Or national holiday or similar! 😉 )

I know (from the Festival’s Facebook page) that the $15 entry fee turned a lot of people off. I understand the need to charge a fee: but Relish was $10 – and included a lot more activities for your money; and the Seafood Festival was $5.

I don’t go out a lot however, so was prepared to pay the entry fee and went along for a few hours on Sunday.

On a positive note, the entry fee meant that the festival probably attracted a different crowd to those who usually attend local markets or pub events (ie. no one was likely to get wasted and vomit on you or yell obscenities at the band).

I hadn’t known about the event until just a couple of weeks before it was held, so I’m not sure how far ahead it was planned. I know the organisers were still working on the music the week before the festival – so I was worried about what I’d find, however… I was pleasantly surprised.

I understand there were a few hiccups and organisers hope for bigger crowds in future, but in essence the event seemed quite successful – for we festival-goers anyway!

There were more wine-tasting options than I expected (though I know some would have liked to see more local wineries). And the ability to buy a glass/bottle of wine or champagne (or beer etc) to enjoy on the day was great.

After my disappointment at the Migaloo Starlight Swing, I was happy to know that there’d be a few food options and indeed Aquavue was on hand serving some salads (my friends partook in a prawn and mango salad with orange and mustard dressing which was apparently yummy); Wild Lotus offered up a steak sandwich that was much more – deliciously tender beef on sourdough etc. My friend who hates steak sandwiches, RAVED about the beef. Bayswater Hotel was serving antipasto platters and a squid salad; and there were pizzas and pancakes as well as coffee vans. (Something for everyone – though as a non-salad-eating coeliac – I struggled a little.)

I was also pleasantly surprised by the music. The acts had a bluesy feel and I was a tad tempted to hang around longer than planned to kick back, partake in more champers and enjoy the atmosphere.

Happily undercover seating was provided and as the day wore on there was heaps of shade for those who’d brought blankets or their own chairs.

I’d definitely go back, and I know organisers are thinking of running the festival again, but I do wonder if it could be paired with something else rather than being yet another separate event. And – feedback will be interesting – but organisers may also want to look at the cost in future years.

Did you attend, or did (or would) the $15 entrance fee put you off?

Gatakers by Night

02/10/201304/03/20151 Comment

It took a while but I finally made it to Maryborough’s monthly soirée at the gorgeous Gatakers Artspace (within the Portside Precinct) – Gatakers by Night.

Held on the last Saturday of the month (from 5-9pm) the free event features musicians and the opportunity to partake in the Night Watchman’s tour, visit the Military museum and often incorporates the launch or opening of a new show at the art gallery. Of course, if you’re like me you’re happy to kick back with a glass of bubbly (or two!) and enjoy the intimate environment and entertainment on offer.

Wine, beer and softdrinks are available as well as a coffee van. Stalls offering pizza and cakes (mud cake or pavlova!) were also on hand. I would have liked a bit more variety (as a coeliac) but did note that the food available can vary from event to event.

September’s Gatakers by Night (GBN to those of us in the know… actually that’s a lie. I’m just using the acronym to avoid having to type the entire phrase again and again!) featured local Irish band, Slainte – who everyone agreed were just fabulous.

The new printspace – a collaborative project between Gatakers Artspace and local printmakers – was also launched in a building adjacent and I look forward to seeing the printing equipment (donated by Sue Flavel) in action down the track. Watching artists doing their thing is something GBN offers which you don’t find elsewhere.

And now the equipment is in place printmaking workshops are being held on a regular basis.

September’s GBN also featured a fashion parade – supported by Bundaberg designer Julie Appo featuring some amazing textiles, and fabrics – part of a training course for local Butchilla girls.

It was a great opportunity for those involved AND we had the opportunity to see some gorgeous designs. Incidentally, I later checked out Julie’s website (as I really liked a couple of the pieces in the parade) and discovered that she also makes / sells accessories and homewares!

It appears she’s just setting up her online store but I wondered if she’s considered distributing her fashion and goods through other places – there’s a new art gallery / store on the Esplanade at Urangan which would be a good match!

I hadn’t been to the latest shows in the gallery so wandered through and was incredibly impressed by Visual Art entries (right) in the North Coast North Exhibition – part of the Creative Generation Awards involving a number of schools in the region.

For those interested, the Fraser Coast Chronicle ran this story in relation to the show, as two pieces by Aldridge State High School students have been selected to be displayed at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Brisbane next year.

I also loved the rest of the work at the gallery (those on the left were my fave and yes, it appears I have a penchant for the bright and colourful!). I also enjoyed watching local artists in action, including Brett Jones who launched his drawing magazine on the night – in an Australian first.

I loved so much about the evening. And it was interesting to see an entirely different crowd of people. Quite frankly I never knew there were as many edgy older women and funky young people in the area!

I’ll most definitely be back for more!

For information about the next GBN and other Fraser Coast Events check here, or like them on Facebook.

Fraser Coasting

Category: Activities