When the Cheshire emerges...

I wasn't able to watch much of Gough Whitlam's memorial, but from news reports I understand how heartfelt and genuine it was. To hear his former speechwriter say what an honour it was working for him, and Cate Blanchett to even pop in and thank him for her free education was touching.

Noel Pearson on Gough. Moments ago. Take 2 minutes out of your day & watch this. http://t.co/wcCvjXYoF4
— Paul Barclay (@PaulBarclay) November 5, 2014

When I wrote my review for Charlie's Country last week I ended up expanding on it as I thought I might, looking at it in a bit more depth in the form of an essay.

And with that I'm back on the Movie Mezzanine bandwagon!

It's been a while since I've been able to write for the site, but now being back from my holiday I'm really keen to get stuck into writing some great film articles on a regular basis.

For now, take a look at this if you'd like an idea of how Rolf de Heer's look at the life of an indigenous man relates to what's going on in Australia right now.

.@katiinkaa write on CHARLIE'S COUNTRY and the complex racial dynamics of Australia: http://t.co/S9lxX5UtMP pic.twitter.com/6cerjeDthV
— Movie Mezzanine (@MovieMezzanine) August 4, 2014

While I'm about to return to my commitment of writing for the Darwin Sun, this review isn't getting a proper run - but I thought I'd share it with you anyway. I'm glad to have gotten back into the swing of things by writing something, and am going to make a conscious effort to return to past glory with regular musings. I'll admit Darwin has so far been a more difficult place to keep cinema visits up.

My views on Charlie's Country may soon pop up in an essay as an expansion of what I've written here, so watch this space. For now, I strongly encourage Australians to watch this film so have a squiz as to why I think you should.

Charlie's Country (M)

Well weren't we all in a spin about the political crisis today? Writing this as the subs still await the major wrap-up... as you'd expect, news doesn't stop for anyone, but as it develops we have to stop for IT. While I'm fine with that being within the nature of the job, tonight I miss out on an particular information night in Dubbo which is happening right now... so a little peeved this had to be today of all days.

I know Australian politics is in a bad way, but were we expecting this? So soon? And Simon Crean of all people to call it... wow. Big day for our country. But it sucks to be him now that the whole thing was a total fail. Talk about an anti-climax... his sacking's not really a surprise.

What concerns me about this is the obvious lack of trust within the Labor party. There's a lot wrong with how this came about and the fact that it's not the first time. Tony Abbott would be ecstatic with all of this - but having said that, it's still hard to look his way as inspiration.

So Julia Gillard went into a ballot unopposed, which is weird in itself. But the real winner of this is Kevin Rudd. His choice to uphold his word puts him in high esteem of the public along with his peers, and while it doesn't get him close to the leadership now it'll do well for him should he somehow be up there by the next election (Michael's suggestion at work that one was).

Internationally, Australian politics is rightly seen as being in a bit of a shambles. This BBC article is pretty good at explaining why.

What do you think about today's events?

 Doping in Australian sport. Matchfixing too. The blackest day in Australian sport.

Haven't we seen this photo EVERYWHERE today?

Who would've thought it was this widespread? You read about scandals elsewhere... the Lance Armstrong case, the Europol investigation into soccer match fixing. But Essendon players being injected by some suss guy with unknown stuff? Deplorable. And what if Jobe Watson were to get stripped of his Brownlow Medal if the substances test positive? My goodness. What a sad day it would be.

This disappoints me as much as anyone else. I hate to see anyone disgraced by this conduct but if they're guilty they bring it upon themselves. And it's not just the AFL being looked into. Not surprised the NRL's not saying much on matchfixing from what I've previously read... but good on the Australian Crime Commission for doing the report. This needs to be stamped out - how any sport is still credible I'm starting to wonder...


I also wanted to mention the Jeremy Fernandez situation.

Isn't it disgusting? If this is true then our country's in a sorry state. The guy is as professional as any other, and I love watching him on the ABC because he's good at what he does. What a shame this is. Did the world not learn from Rosa Parks as this man did?

***
There is no way to enlightenment. Enlightenment is the way. It's a principle of living rather than seeking.

Every moment that you spend upset, in despair, in anguish, angry, or hurt because of the behaviour of anybody else is a moment in which you've give up control of your life.

Across the border from Mildura, Wentworth (in NSW) is a quaint little town with a few big things going for it. Their jail was the first to be designed by an Australian and the model for many built later on (Dubbo's doors are a Wentworth design apparently), and it sits at the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers. A beautiful sight that is.

The steamer PS Ruby is a special monument to them, being restored by a loving team (I think of volunteers).

I can't remember which river is which, but this is from a lookout at the junction.

Now that's a drink.

The PS Ruby.

This is the tenth post in the On the road to nowhere series. Missed the last one? Catch up!

The second half of my journey began in Mildura after leaving Adelaide. Going through Renmark on the way was nice, having visited there two years ago for some work experience.

Right on the Victoria/NSW border, Mildura is a great base for surrounding areas. It also had a lot to offer for itself, not least a great major eating strip. Definitely one up on Dubbo there. To be fair, it services up to 60,000 within a close proximity.

Within Mildura and close surrounds I visited Orange World where I learnt about the wonderful produce that comes out of the Sunraysia region, the Stanley Wines factory in an attempt to see the Big Goon Box, and took notice of the cool art deco influence on their architecture.

I must mention that the hospitality I received here was great... and that they have a really good Sportsgirl. Oh how I miss that shop.

I could say this is the best fresh OJ I've ever had - and I will. Fabulous.



The Orange World experience then consists of a tractor ride through part of the orchard.

What used to be the Big Goon Box. You can imagine the Stanley logo and the pourer bit stuck on the bottom. No vomiting homages here. Devastated.

This is the ninth post of the On the road to nowhere series. Missed the last one? Catch up!

A town of the choo-choos for decades, Peterborough was interesting in that it was my first SA Outback destination ever in taking a second detour off the Barrier Highway. It delivered more than I expected.

The hours flew by during my short stay, accompanied by a father-daughter duo I had met in Broken Hill on my walking tour who were coincidentally ahead of me on the road and had the same idea.

We took in their train museum, the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, where I felt like I had been plonked in the middle of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (subconscious childhood dream realised right there). Lunch followed at a place which combined three of my favourite things - retroness, film and good food.

From here I would continue to Adelaide to see family and friends, and attend a beautiful wedding. I felt I had already done so much in just five and a half days.

Thomas' roundhouse.

This thing on the back of the car is a means of mobile communication. Funny how that's changed...

Toby was a pretty cool train.

If someone had told me earlier I'd fine this on the main street I would've laughed. Fabulous.

This is the eighth post of the On the road to nowhere series. Missed the last one? Catch up!

Silverton: the Hollywood of the Outback. Parts of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and just about all of Mad Max 2 were filmed there, a ghost town previously inhabited with those working in the mines. There's not much around, but what is is excellent. It's a great place.

I met the most enthusiastic person possibly ever in the creator of the Mad Max museum, an Englishman who moved his family out to start the pilgrimage after discovering on holiday that was nothing to support Silverton's moniker.

I also went to the lookout point at the Mundi Mundi Plains, a vast expanse of greenery in the desert and beautiful in its stillness. Much like White Cliffs, I felt I was in a different world. And only a simple but bumpy 25 minutes or so from Broken Hill.
*Mad Max Museum indoor photos taken with owner permission

The famous (replica) car that sits outside the Silverton Hotel.

The souvenir shop had pictures...

Donkey were not something I expected to see!

Legendary.

Dame Mary Gilmore of our $10 note taught at Silverton School.

That museum had the most random assortment of items ever. Here are awards from the Pal Pedigree and Rinso companies...

I felt it was appropriate to get a jumping shot on the Mundi Mundi Plains out of anywhere. The photo doesn't do the landscape justice.

This is the seventh post of the On the road to nowhere series. Missed the last one? Catch up!