Reading ……………………..23 to

Reading Come Death and High Water

by Ann Cleeves A rou ne weekend visit by the Gillibry Bird Observatory Trust is made memorable by the owner's announcement that he is going to sell the island. A sale would mean the end of the Observatory, which for some of the birders makes life worth living. A fire in Charlie Todd's co age adds to their distress. And when, next morning, a er a fierce storm, they find Charlie dead in a bird hide, their pleasant September weekend assumes a dangerous new face. Charlie Todd's murder could have been the deed of any member of the Trust. And it falls to one of their own, George PalmerJones, to unravel the iden ty of a killer within their midst . . .

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five cri cally acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime wri ng, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detec ves Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Ma hew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respec vely. The TV series and the books they are based on have become interna onal sensa ons, capturing the minds of millions worldwide. Ann worked as a proba on officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started wri ng. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other Bri sh northern writers to promote crime fic on. Ann also spends her me advoca ng for reading to improve health and wellbeing and suppor ng access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authori es across the North East. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set.

arts Narooma Gallery presents: Frida & Feathers

Perpetua (Pe ) McInnes and Donna Goulding exhibit new work together for the first me at the Narooma Gallery. Diverse works, both ar sts explore character, belonging, and personal strength.

Thursday, January 12, 2023 10:00 AM un l Sunday, January 29, 2023 4:00 PM Narooma School of Art & Soldier's War Memorial Hall Inc92 Campbell Street, Narooma Goulding’s works are an interpreta on of Frida Khalo’s life. Khalo is a muse, model and leader for many women and a source of inspira on for countless ar sts. Goulding states: I am interested in the life of Frida Kahlo as she is a strong woman like me, and she inspires me to create and be honest. Frida Kahlo’s strong poli cal, intellectual and deeply patrio c views always sought to be a strong voice for oppressed women. Self-taught, her pain ng allowed Frida to overcome and alleviate severe physical and psychological pain caused by a debilita ng accident. A er a 30 year career in Fes val and Event management, McInnes has recommi ed to her con nued love of crea ng and pain ng. The works for this exhibi on are an explora on of colour movement. They express McInnes’ fascina on with birds, which on observa on are like humans, each bird has their own clans and personali es. Ar st talk gathering All are welcome to come along and listen to the ar sts talk about their work and stay for drinks and a sausage sizzle immediately a er. Saturday 21 January 5:30 pm - 7:00pm

Image credits: Le : Donna Goulding, Frida (detail), 2022, acrylic, 300 mm H x 150 mm W. Photograph the Ar st Right: Perpetua McInnes, Inquisi ve (detail), 2022, oil, 610 mm H x 1220 mm W. Photograph the Ar st

arts The South Coast Pastel Society 2022 Summer Exhibi on and Sale returns this January with a

diverse range of pain ngs in pastel, oils, acrylics and watercolour. The art works reflect the diversity of New South Wales' South Coast and adjoining regions and showcase the talent and crea vity of the region's ar sts. The exhibi on features spectacular landscapes and seascapes, beau ful studies of flora and fauna as well as well as wonderfully calming s ll life studies. Visitors to previous events have commented on the depth and vibrancy achieved by each ar st as well as the breadth of subject ma er exhibited across the exhibi on. Visitors to the exhibi on also have the opportunity to meet with members of the Pastel Society who are all prac cing ar sts and happy to discuss their work and the pain ngs on exhibit. A er many years exhibi ng at the Surf Club in Malua Bay, this year the society's exhibi on moves to the Sunshine Bay Public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay. The school's hall is a great venue for exhibi ng art, with plenty of space to view the pain ngs and ideal ligh ng that allows visitors to see the colour and detail of each work. Entry is by gold coin dona on with the proceeds going to the School. The exhibi on will be open from 1:30pm to 4pm on Saturday 14 January and from 10am to 4pm each day therea er un l Sunday 23 January at the Sunshine Bay Public School, Beach Road, Sunshine Bay.

Jus n Pearson's outstanding collec on of landscapes "A Cluster of Green" runs un l Sunday 5 February. Expressive and invi ng, Jus n's rich oils are full of movement and nuance, brought together skilfully with the most beau ful use of colour.

Gallery Bodalla is open Thursday to Sunday 11am - 4pm and by appointment, post office 66a Princes Hwy, Bodalla ph 0421 238 174. Visit the exhibi on at www.gallerybodalla.com.au