14 botanical illustrations, better now known as the "Hunter Heritage Flora Collection" commissioned by the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has just completed two months of being on show at both the Gardens foyer gallery and the Mezzanine Gallery at Port Stephens Council, Raymond Terrace.
The show was well received and attracted lots of good publicity by the local papers. Jill Stowells from The Newcastle Herald H2 (12th September) wrote a half page including artwork about the exhibition and the Natural History Illustration course.
Many thanks to Jan Noble, Chloe Beevers (See inset photo) and everyone that came and supported the launches. Especially Herman and Trish for your help with setting up and running. With a special thanks to the Port Stephens Community Choir who entertained all who came to the second opening.
Prints in both black and white (10) and colour (4) are available for purchase in the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. Price $35 and $40 respectively, unframed.
They will be again be on show in August next year when the Gardens will be host to the Botanic Gardens Conference. I'll will post more details as they come to hand.
A good friend and fellow illustrator Kathleen Davies has just launched the publication of a new book "Bill Haydon, The Cedar King - The man behind the legend". Kathleen co-authored the publication with Bill Haydons' granddaughter Geraldine Yabsley. (However her name is strangely missing from the front cover). Kathleen was also the one who organised and persuaded me to run the Glenn Innes workshops back in 2007/2008. She is pictured here with one of her drawings from the March 2008 workshop.
She's spent the last five years compiling information on the disappearance of bushman Bill Haydon. Bill mysteriously vanished into the wilderness of Washpool National Park near Grafton on April 28th, 1965. The search for him lasted several weeks and involved hundreds of people including the army. There was many local stories and folklore about the disappearance and a coronial inquest was released last year. Being a journalist at many of the surrounding areas meant Kathleen knew avenues to find out the fragments of information needed to pull together the last hours of Bill Haydons' life. She has contributed the final 20 chapters including the final hours and the mysteries surrounding the disappearance.
“This publication is also a dedication to every person who has contributed in even the smallest way towards the completion of this project, and to every source that has been uncovered in the search for the true story of events,” Kathleen said.
The Macleay Argus - 18/09/09
The far north coast (NSW) is full of mysteries and strange happenings. The Emmaville panther, the Glenn Innes Yowie and Barraba a well known UFO sight.
The book is being promoted and sold across Mid North NSW at the moment and more information about Kathleen, Geraldine and the disappearance of Bill Haydon can be found in the websites below.
Daring to Dream - Kathleen Davies- DPI Rural Womens Network
Official Website
The Macleay Argus Press release (dated 18/09/09)
Timbertown website - Talks about Bill Haydons' reputation for the collection of Cedar (Toona ciliata).
