Last week’s NAIDOC week exhibition at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery was an absolute knockout.

NAIDOC week is held each July, celebrating the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Glasshouse upper gallery was packed with people from all walks in our community, to see some fantastic dance sequences by local Birpai artists, which took my breath away. Music and song has such capacity to get right into one’s person, and the building was certainly alive that night.

After the Welcome to Country by Uncle Bill, which never disappoints, we moved into the main gallery to view the work of three contemporary indigenous artists – Milton Budge, Blak Douglas and Andrew Snelgar.

Each of these artists has been part of the new Artists in Residence program at the gallery, and each offering a quite different creative expression, and often a strong message of social justice.

Many people approached me afterwards, expressing their appreciation for council’s commitment to the arts and generally commenting how vibrant is our community, especially in terms of the many very active local service clubs. 

I heard from many that the strength of our service clubs means there is no need for anyone to be lonely or bored. This time of year is changeover for service clubs, and I’ve attended a number of these events this year, hearing of the inspiring work being done to help communities both here and overseas.

Last Sunday was changeover for Rotary e-Club, NextGen, a new version of the service club, with the same high ideals of Rotary but a slight difference in that members can attend on-line if unable to be present in person. Incoming president of Rotary e-Club is Wauchope’s well-known Pete Saville, and clearly apparent was not only his, but also the entire Rotary community’s enthusiasm for the good works and great fellowship that comes with service club involvement.