Saturday, 28 June 2014

Dinner at the Australian War Memorial

A particular highlight of the recent CBCA Conference was the conference dinner. I've been to quite a few conference dinners- this was the best ever.

Great location. The Australian War Memorial was recently named Australia's number one "Traveller's Choice" landmark- beating out Sydney's Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I don't know that I'd agree with that, but it is a rather fascinating place to visit.

Peter Corlett- Simpson and his donkey, 1915


We didn't get time to do a tour, but there was already a display from Anzac Day this year, when William and Kate were in Australia, and they performed part of the Anzac service in Canberra.




We did see a great audiovisual show featuring a Lancaster Bomber G for George. 


We then dined under the wings of G for George, and had a most delicious dinner which sadly it was too dark to photograph. I had great company too, with my new friends from Auckland City Library.

There were of course fantastic speakers too.

Jackie French!
Always an amazing speaker, she made an
impassioned speech about story

Morris Gleitzman
Morris only spoke briefly and then let his most recent story, Loyal Creatures, speak for him. Tim Potter performed the theatre piece that became Loyal Creatures- an Australian response to the theatre production of War Horse. It was sensational. There was not a dry eye in the house at the end.



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10 comments:

  1. Anonymous28 June 2014 at 11:31

    I didn't know that they held functions at the War Memorial. Did it feel a little bit strange having it there?
    I haven't been to the War Memorial in years and years. My husbands grandfather was a war artist (sculptor) and some of his work is there.

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  2. Brona28 June 2014 at 15:20

    I'm a major history buff, so I love the War Memorial and would be one of those people voting it the best tourist attraction in Australia (my stepsons on the otherhand...!)

    I'm very envious that you saw the Loyal Creatures performance - sounds amazing.

    How did you score an invite to this (if you don't mind me asking)?

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  3. Louise28 June 2014 at 23:41

    I didn't know either Janine until I got the conference program. They were pretty well set up for it, I suspect that they do quite a few functions there.

    Ah, they do.
    https://www.awm.gov.au/about/venuehire/

    I haven't been there for ages either, if I go again, I'll have to try and find some of your in laws work. I remember seeing one of his sculptures in Melbourne.

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  4. Louise28 June 2014 at 23:44

    Brona, it was just part of the CBCA Conference. You can just pay your money and go along. They're biannual, and fantastic. The next one is in Sydney in 2016. I'll be there- you should come too. I should go back to the AWM sometime, I haven't been properly for a decade or so at least.

    The Loyal Creatures performance is amazing. I know it's been done around and about as promotion in bookshops and such- perhaps you could get one?

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  5. Laurel-Rain Snow29 June 2014 at 00:24

    Wonderful photos that commemorate important occasions. Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  6. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz29 June 2014 at 00:36

    Maybe I can save my pennies and make it to the CBCA conference in 2016....

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  7. Sandra Nachlinger29 June 2014 at 03:46

    Your excellent photos and description led me on an Internet search for more information about Anzac Day and Peter Corlett (Simpson and His Donkey). Very interesting! It sounds like the CBCA conference was worthwhile and in a lovely setting.
    Here's the link to my Saturday Snapshot post.

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  8. Kimberly @ Turning the Pages29 June 2014 at 04:13

    Excellent pictures, I always like going to see war exhibits and such. I think it's so important to remember things like that.
    Thanks for stopping by my SS :)
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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  9. Sean @ His And Her Hobbies29 June 2014 at 22:06

    Great photos! I didn't know they did events either. It's impressive that it got the nod for top attraction in Australia considering that Sydney is easier to get to for many tourists. I love the War Memorial in Canberra and believe it is probably one of the best in the world and is even better than the one in D.C.

    Sean at His and Her Hobbies

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  10. westmetromommy3 July 2014 at 07:48

    Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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