8 minute read
BITS AND PIECES
IF YOU have a story to share, a declaration to make, or an opinion to be penned, then sign up for the free sixweek online Gran Slam program.
It’s a chance for anyone over 65 to join the slam poetry revolution with a bunch of free-wheeling wordsmiths of wisdom who will hit the stage for a slam poetry event with a difference.
No experience is necessary, just passion and enthusiasm to give it a go.
“While creatively and expression is at the heart of Gran Slam, it’s also very much about connection and wellbeing,” executive producer Kate Baggerson said.
“Participants step out of their comfort zone, challenge themselves, make new friends, explore their creativity and smash some stereotypes of ageing along the way.”
The free online program, Gran Slam Digital, is from August 3 to September 7.
It includes weekly group workshops with the lead poet, closed Facebook participant support group, an online open mic night and the opportunity to perform poems at special live events.
Lead Poet for 2022 is J.M. Donellan who will guide participants through the tips and tricks of crafting a great poem that can be expressed through the spoken word.
Participation is open to seniors from around Australia while south-east Queensland will also have face-to-face masterclasses.
There will then be two Gran Slam live events during Seniors Month, one at Redland Performing Arts Centre and one at Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast.
“I can’t stop writing, the words just keep coming to me! You don’t know yourself what you can do until you participate in a project like this and that is an important discovery, says former participant, 98-year-old Nina Marzi. Register at everybodynow.com.au/ gran-slam-2022 then zoom in from home each Wednesday. HAVE you ever watched the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings in an item they have inherited to discover it’s worth a fortune?
Moments like that are the best part of Bryan Hunsberger’s job.
“I love going through an old shoe box or cookie jar and finding rare or gold coins which can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the owner,” he says. “Or telling someone their broken bits and pieces of gold jewellery are worth a thousand dollars, more than what they paid for it.”
Bryan has been collecting, buying and selling coins, watches, banknotes and jewellery for more than a decade and is always hunting for anything gold or silver, old coins, banknotes, and watches – automatic and wind-up, of course,.
My favourite watches are the well-known brands such as Rolex, Tudor and Omega, even if they’re not working.”
Bryan has turned his passion into his career and is a fully licensed dealer, travelling from Beerwah to Cooroy and everywhere in between. As he doesn’t have a shopfront, overheads are low, and he can offer higher prices.
He’d love to hear from anyone with a shoebox of old coins, or a drawer full of single earrings and broken necklaces. Call 0401 379 401 to discuss what your stash of bits and pieces is worth. IT HAS been a cold and wet winter in most places but spring is on its way. The soft cane Dendrobium orchids are starting to bud along with my Geraldton wax.
The gorgeous hippeastrum papillon are also in bud, with their beautiful colours of green and maroon.
Time to prune roses and give everything a feed. Check out your local nursery for seedlings of both seasonal flowers and vegetables. Everyone should at least have a tomato plant and lettuce, either in the ground or a large pot, both easy to grow.
Keep the weeds at bay by removing when small. Spring is a great time to start propagating from seed, division or cutting. You only need a sharp pair of secateurs and a pot along with your cuttings, so easy and very rewarding especially as a lot of the older plants are no longer available. Give it a try, you will be surprised.
Still time to purchase camellias and magnolias while still in flower.
It has been a good season for citrus. The dwarf varieties are great in pots. Pop one in now for your own supply next season.
Penny Hegarty
ALTHOUGH it’s 1400km away, Winton is close to the heart of Moffat Beach-based jewellery designer Rita Williams.
Rita’s designs, which are all manufactured in her studio using ecologically sustainable reclaimed and recycled materials, recently won two first prizes in the 2022 Queen of Gems Boulder Opal Awards.
Her intricate 18ct gold cuff bracelet “Euphoria” featuring Cairns birdwing butterflies in boulder opal with Argyle diamond studded orchids, won first prize in the Professional Jewellery 1B category.
“Enigma”, a bold design in sterling silver and 14ct yellow gold with Queensland boulder opal and West Australian diamonds claimed first place in the People’s Choice category.
Last year, Rita won the People’s Choice Award with her snake-inspired piece “Renewal”.
Rita said the Queen of Gems Boulder Opal Awards were truly world class.
“It’s held in Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre and shows what passionate locals in regional towns can achieve when working together,” she said.
“The tiny town was packed last month, with hundreds of tourists enjoying the two-day Opal Festival, culminating in the Queen of Gems awards. It was humbling and overwhelming to have both pieces take out the top awards.”
Rita works closely with Moffat Beach-based opal cutter and specialist Stephen Smart who sources, shapes and cuts the finest natural opal in Australia. See Rita’s award-winning pieces at Sunstate Jewellers, 2 Allen St, Moffat Beach, which has been owned by the same family in the same location for 50 years.
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