Seasons greetings

To lovers of the baby cheeses everywhere!

Seriously ...wishing all a safe & happy holiday season :)

Woodland Goddess

The prints of J.H. Lynch were a ubiquitous part of the 60s/70s. Strangely though, for an artist who's work was reproduced by the thousands, his identity remained a mystery. That was until Mario Klingemann set up www.jhlynch.org, and managed to track him down. His site remains one of the best sources of information on Lynch prints to-date.

As luck would have it, I manged to pick up my "Woodland Goddess" in Ballarat for $30 back when Lynch prints were selling for $80 in Melb. Last I saw (Lost & Found Market) they're up around $200 now!

"Woodland Goddess" by Joseph Henry Lynch, pre-1965

More Ballarat blogs!

Thanks to a lead provided by Ro over at DBE, I've stumbled onto another swag of Ballarat blogs that I'd not seen before. Up til now I've searched Blogger on location "Ballarat, Victoria, Australia", but there are also another 80 blogs listed under "Ballarat, VIC, Australia", cool!

iPod of the 60s

Here's an unexpected bonus I found in the draw of some secondhand furniture I bought a few years ago, a nice AM pocket transistor radio from the early 1960s. This Toshiba model 6P-10 still works, and even has it's original leather cover and earphone.

As a kid I had something similar (c1970), we used to call them "Trannys", but that term seems to have shifted in meaning since.....


Historical note: Transistor radios have been commercially available since the mid 1950s, but did not achieve mass popularity until they became more affordable in the early 60s. For more on classic transistor radios (1954-65) see jamesbutters.com

Nearly a month since my last entry!

Hmm, when I began this blog thing I made an unspoken commitment to try and post at least one entry per week. Seems that lasted about 16 weeks, oh well ....

Picked up an interesting curio recently in a budget gift & bric-a-brac store on Smith Street (Fitzroy). This life size wooden articulated artist's hand model appealed to two of my loves, art and sci-fi (robots). It was also a good deal, at half the price of the ones I've seen on eBay!

The well dressed man of the 21st Century

Behold the man of the future ...today! According to Vogue magazine (1939), this is what the well dressed man would be wearing in the year 2000. This and many other past visions of the futute can be found on Matt Novak's Paleo-future blog, a wonderful collection of images and articles dating back to the 1870s, showing how previous generations imagined the future. As for this particular fashion, I may not have the coveralls, electric vest and antenna hat, but I do favor slip on boots and facial hair :)

The North Britain Hotel

There really are some unique local dining experiences, and last Saturday night we enjoyed one of them, the North Britain Hotel in Doveton St Nth. A quaint locals pub with a mock Olde English theme surviving from a late 60s/early 70s make-over. Complete with fake exposed Tudor beams and Victorian taxidermy, it's cosy and endearingly kitsch. You can enjoy pub standards like steaks, schnitzels & seafood, as well as traditional delicacies like lambs fry, crumbed brains and sago or bread & butter pudding! The lounge is small so bookings are essential. I just love this pub, and usually drop in a couple of times a year for a good honest meal. Here's a pic from their website plus a couple from my mobile:


Tip: Deer heads hang over tables 6 and 7, so if the idea of a large dead thing looming over you while you eat disturbs you, better avoid these tables.

"Funny picture" blogs

Ever wondered where all those "funny picture" emails get their pictures? Well, I haven't, but thanks to an article from AdAge.com (via Crikey.com), now I know. Apparently a lot come from blogs on the "Cheezburger Network" of Seattle. Not every one is super funny, but there is an occasional gem. Here's some of them:

icanhascheezburger.com (Lolcats) - Captioned cats
ihasahotdog.com (Loldogs) - Captioned dogs
failblog.org - Epic fails
engrishfunny.com - Bad translations
thereifixedit.com - Bad DIY

Black and White Portraits

Went to the opening of this little exhibition last week in Ballarat. The daughter of one of my old art school buddies (how old am I feeling now!), her work will be on display throughout October at the Yummy Patisserie in Sturt Street. Nice to see so many good pieces from a young artist.

An old friend finally retires

Given to me brand new in 1983 for my 21st birthday, my reliable old 26 inch AWA Thorn Colour TV has finally been retired. Although still working fine, the ravages of time had taken their toll. The stunning plastic imitation woodgrain veneer started to lift from the chipboard cabinet within the first 10 years, and the channel selector knob fell victim to the rough and tumble of family life (kids!). By the early 2000s it was apparent no amount of sticky tape and blu-tack was going to keep the curling veneer in place, so I peeled it all off and gave the cabinet a few coats of "monitor style" coal grey. Surviving more than 2 decades, a family and 4 house moves, the poor old thing has finally been overtaken by picture aspect ratio changes and the impending switch to Digital TV.

So here's my tribute to you dear old TV, thanks for your 26 years of faithful service. I only hope my new LCD TV can last even half as long as you.


Trivia: With only a single coax aerial input and no RCA jacks it was a challenge using this old CRT TV with modern devices. The suitably 80's picture of Madonna appears on screen thanks to a DVD player connected via an RF Video Modulator from DSE.

Back from the west

In spite of the changeable weather we had lots of fun in WA. First up 4 nights in Perth CBD seeing the city, dining out, museum/art gallery, Northbridge, Leederville, Perth Mint plus a Day in Fremantle (River cruise, Markets, Old Gaol, etc.). Then hired a car and drove south west, staying 2 nights in Busselton and seeing the Margaret River region (Mammoth Cave, the township, wineries, Chocolate Co., and back up through Cape Naturaliste). Returned via Fremantle and Cottesloe on the last day.

Dining out ranged from fine to fun, with Miss Maud's in Perth worthy of note for it's sheer quirkiness (a Swedish themed Smorgasbord right out of the 1970s, complete with live accordion music!). The free Perth "CAT" bus services were also great, making it very easy to get around. Managed to visit a few vintage shops too, with "Off the Wall" in Fremantle being my Fav (for more on vintage shopping in Perth/Freo see these posts by B'rat Bloggers BVS and CR&VT).

Here's some random holiday snaps (cam & mobile):

Part 1. Perth: City from river, Mall (CBA building), Mint, Museum (3 pics), Cottesloe beach.


Part 2. Fremantle: Stree cafe, Markets (2 pics), Prison (2 pics).


Part 3. South West: Busselton pier, Mammoth Cave, Margaret River vinyards, Margaret River Hotel, Cape Naturaliste (2 pics).

Westward bound

Following what seems to be a bit of a local trend, Ms C62 and myself are heading off to Western Australia for a week. We'll be exploring Perth and Fremantle, with a side trip via the coast to the Margaret River region. Fingers crossed for some good weather.

Pic: Perth City from the Swan River

This however means we'll be away for the ARMAGEDDON Expo on Oct 17-18 in Melb, but strangely Ms C62 doesn't seem too upset by this.

A colourful weekend

Picked up a nice old PMG/Telecom rotary dial 'ColorFone' at the Sebas Salvos on Saturday, and went to the Hans Heysen travelling exhibition at the Ballarat Art Gallery on Sunday. With inspired use of light and colour, Heysen is part of the first generation of painters to realistically capture the essence of the Australian landscape. The first major retrospective of his work in three decades, it's an exhibition well worth seeing.

Below: the ColorFone 802 range, mine is the 'Topaz Yellow' model

Trivia: The PMG introduced the 800 series ACF (Automatic ColorFone) in 1962/63, with the previously unheard-of choice of 6 designer colours! They were standard issue throughout Australia in the 60s & 70s, and are becoming quite collectable now. Some fully reconditioned models are being sold online for more than $300.

A tribute to Joyce

Driving home last night I was surprised and saddened to see Joyce’s Junkatique in Main Road draped with black balloons, streamers and floral tributes. A true Ballarat Icon of second hand treasures and collecting has left us.

I came to know Joyce though my Mother and Auntie’s avid op-shopping expeditions (which I had no choice but to join from a young age during school holidays). Since the late 70’s I’ve been an occasional regular, seeking her assistance in the search for many an odd item for High School and Uni dress up days, costume parties, and on into adulthood as a collector in general. Always cheerful and happy to help, she will be fondly remembered.

Picture from the Ballarat Courier, 02/09/2009.

A nice example of how well regarded she was is Schmookie's post about Joyce’s Exhibition at the Learmonth Art Hall in 2008.

Happy birthday, internets!

From an article by Ruth Brown @ Crikey.com.au .....

"Today is the internet’s 40th birthday. Well, maybe: 2 September marks 40 years since a bunch of geeks gathered in a lab at UCLA and successfully sent some data between two primitive computers through a five-metre cable. Some will probably celebrate the date of 29 October the same year, when the US Department of Defence hooked up the first two nodes of the ARPANET and the Stanford Research Institute."

.... keep reading at crikey.com.au/../happy-birthday-internets


pic from Crikey

Millers & Wranglers

Picking up a pair of vintage Rollers reminded me of that other iconic fashion item of the 1970s, the nylon plaid western shirt with press-studs. It appears everything old is new again, as after an absence of a few decades, retro style western shirts are back in the 2000s. As for the originals, the top 70s brand in Australia was "Miller", followed by others like "Wrangler" and "Golden Breed". I haven't seen vintage Millers in op shops much these days, and they are fetching $60+ on eBay.au! Undaunted I managed to pick up a vintage Wrangler on eBay for around $25 delivered.

Left: 16yo me in a Miller (note "pilot" sunglasses & high-waist jeans), Right: My eBay Wrangler

Millers are remembered for the shiny metallic threads woven through the fabric and imitation mother of pearl press-studs. Wrangler's only gimmick was to make the pocket flaps in the shape of "W"s.

Rock'n Rollers

If you were an Aussie teen in the late 70s (guy or girl) you just HAD to have a pair of desert boots. When I saw this pair of DBs for $8 at the Sebas Salvos a year or so ago, they just HAD to come home with me. They are the one-and-only original "Rollers" brand too, and not one of the many knockoffs from the time. A very lucky find in such good condition :)

Footnote: I haven't seen Rollers like these in the shops for years and assumed the style went extinct in the 1980s, I found however there is still a company in Australia selling old school style DBs! advancefootwear.com.au carries new made versions of the classic high and low cut Rollers styles in their "M sprint" range (the "Custom" $69.99 and "Superlight" $79.99).

Manifest 2009 – Melbourne Anime Festival

Yes, the Manifest Anime Festival is on at the Melbourne Showgrounds this weekend (Aug 21-23)! Being a bit of a fanboy I've always wanted to check out a full on sci-fi or anime convention, the costumed fans, traders stalls, collectibles, special events etc, but alas I can't make it down to Melb this weekend. Oh well, there's always next year I suppose.



On the local front it's interesting to note that BAKA (Ballarat Awesome Klub for Anime) held their first cosplay event back in July. For more on that see Kirri-Joy's blog here & here.

A Day in Pompeii

After Sunday breakfast at the tiny and delightful Cafe Rosamond in Charles St Fitzroy (just off Smith St), went to "A Day in Pompeii" at the Melbourne Museum. A great exhibition, nothing brings history to life more than the actual physical artefacts of the time. Bronzes, jewellery, glassware, frescos and items of daily life. There are also the eerie body casts of the poor unfortunates that didn't escape. Too much to describe here, you just have to see it for yourself. Some good pictures of the artefacts on the museum website, some mobile phone pics below.

No Rest for the Wicked

Retro greeting card from a (now closed) boutique in Johnston St. Collingwood, so cute just had to buy it. Features "No rest for the Wicked" 1935, by William Barribal. Card published by Visoni UK

Vintage Time

Been interest in getting a vintage mechanical watch for some time. Found this one at the Williamstown Vintage Fashion Fair in June, Swiss made, still running, case and bracelet ok, but with badly scratched glass and in need of a service. At $10 thought I'd take a chance. A newbie to vintage watches, was a little surprised to find servicing started at $99, but as I've had my fair share of thrifting savings till now decided to go ahead with it. Now my 1950s timepiece has new glass and is keeping perfect time. It was fashionable for men’s wristwatches to be small and elegant up until the 1960s, the case on this one is only 31mm across, so I think it wouldn't look out of place with outfits from the 1930s on.


Late 1950s "Austral" men’s wristwatch, case by "Eloga", Swiss 17j movement.