Painting to Protect

Posted: September 29, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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Art speaks to people in many different ways, and our purpose as artists varies from person to person. Abigail Parker took up painting later in life, but she is driven by purpose. Abigail, better known in Albany as Abigail’s EcoArt, has a passion to paint to protect.

When Abigail began painting, she investigated local wildlife and birds and realised that they were slowly disappearing. Now her passion leads her to paint a message about the importance of protecting our wildlife.

She has developed an ecosystem around her home, which means she is surrounded by birds, possums and other wildlife, which helps to keep her grounded. But inside her studio, Abigail’s paintings tell a story of nature’s beauty as well as its vulnerability.

This video captures Abigail’s gentle nature as she shares her story and her passion to protect.

A House of Hope

Posted: September 8, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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Homelessness is a growing problem in Australia and it is always good to recognise those groups that are seeking to address the issue.

My video this week provides a voice to a man who has found hope in Shalom House in Albany. Shalom Inc is a locally-based Chrstian not-for-profit organisation that offers accommodation for men who are at risk of homelessness.

Brian Pearce takes us for a walk around Shalom House and proudly talks about the way the house has been a lifesaver for him, and many other men who find themselves without a roof over their head.

Dragons at Dawn

Posted: August 21, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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If you’re looking for a sport that has plenty of physicality and at the same time takes advantage of Albany’s magnificent dawn scenery, then Dragon Boating is the sport for you.

It was a joy to get up early and follow the Albany Dragon Boat paddlers as they headed out into Oyster Harbour as the sun was rising, and to hear the story of one of their number whose life has been enriched as a result of their activities.

Kelly Murray has loved both the physical and social aspects of dragon boating, but she has recently gained from another aspect of the sport. Kelly recently returned from competing at the World Dragon Boat Championships in Germany and in this video tells the story of her experiences.

I really enjoyed making this video and encourage you to watch and listen, and if nothing else, to enjoy another amazing Albany sunrise.

Whales and Wonders

Posted: August 9, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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It was an amazing experience to go whale watching with Paul Guest. To start with there was a level of expectation, then elation when the dolphins started racing with us. After that there was a period of disappointment as our eyes scanned the ocean with no sign of whales. Finally, there they were!

Seeing whales up close makes you realise how huge they are, and even when they are just surfacing, you can’t help but be amazed at the size of these beautiful creatures.

Paul has been running whale watching tours on the King George Sound for 28 years, and it is clear that he loves the excitement of seeing a whale. His enthusiasm spills over to his passengers when we, too, see these beautiful animals.

Enjoy this video, and if you’re in Albany, make sure you book a tour with Paul.

Form, Shape and Finish

Posted: July 25, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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It’s all about the story.

I love making these five minute videos. I love the filming process, the editing and the audio but most of all it’s about the story.

I knew Howard Heerey had a great story to tell about his time in British motor racing in the 60’s and 70’s, but I didn’t know what to expect when he asked to meet me at a pottery workshop.

It turned out that these days Howard spends most of his time at the workshop as the kiln manager and enjoys the artistic side of clay work. But it also turned out that there are some great similarities between pottery and car design, something that was once a part of Howard’s motor racing experience.

I loved making this video and watching the way the concept of form, shape and finish brought together what most people would think are vastly different disciplines: Motor racing and pottery. And for that, I say, thankyou Howard Heerey.

Miniature Mariners

Posted: July 11, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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This month Albany is celebrating the Mariner’s Festival, so it seemed appropriate to talk to a boat builder. Norm McQuade has been making model boats on and off since childhood, so it was great to spend time hearing his story and looking at his collection of model boats.

I was fascinated at the degree of intricacy that was evident in these model boats, testament to Norm’s patience and commitment to the task. It is also a walk back in history to see boats from the 19th and early 20th century and to hear their story.

Norm’s model of the Brig Amity, a boat with special links to Albany, is one of a kind. He undertook extensive research, including doing measurements from the replica that stands near Albany port. Then there’s the Endeavour, a Newfoundland Whaling Boat, and the amazing ornate hull of the frigate, HMS Fly.

This video tells the story of one man’s personal hobby, but it also opens up a wealth of maritime history.

Pyro at work

Posted: July 8, 2025 in Uncategorized
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For a little while, I’ve been experimenting with Pyrography (woodburning). I found some of my earlier projects were on dark wood and when I varnished them, they disappeared. I loved the old Holden, but was a bit disappointed that it was hard to see.

I really liked this one with Western Australian wildflowers.

My latest project was on a piece of very light wood. I’m not sure what type of wood it is.Since there were four sides to this block, it seemed appropriate to draw a picture that would completely encircle the block. Then, when it was done, it was an opportunity to try a bit of video magic to show it off.

Hope you enjoy this project.

A little bit of video magic to show off my latest pyrography project

The Weir Chronicles

Posted: June 12, 2025 in Uncategorized
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When I started tracing my mother’s family tree, I had no idea where it would lead. As it turned out, it took me a long way back. I started by looking at my grandfather’s story with a focus on the Victorian and Western Australian goldfields.

But it quickly took me much further back in time. I found myself in the mystical world of dragons, and started to research the early Frankish name, de Vere which became a forerunner to Weir.

From there, I found myself in the Norman Conquest of England, and my ancestor was fighting alongside William the Conqueror in the Battle of Hastings. The story then moved to Scotland and that is where it got interesting. Not only did the de Veres become Weirs, but became one of the most respected names in Scotland for nearly 700 years.

However, I was surprised to discover that the Weir family name was intertwined with the Protestant Reformation in Scotland. Around 18,000 Covenanters were martyred in Scotland at a time when being Presbyterian was a crime. I found myself reading story after story of these martyrs. I’ve only included a few of these stories that related directly to the Weirs.

I’d encourage you to grab a coffee and read the book. I found it fascinating and I’m you will too.

https://au.blurb.com/b/12458573-the-weir-chronicles

Music Makers Celebrate

Posted: May 23, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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A community orchestra provides opportunities for people to come together to make beautiful music. These were the words of Roger Hey, the conductor for the Albany Sinfonia’s special 30th anniversary concert.

In this video I drop in on a rehearsal and see how Roger seeks to bring the best out of a diverse range of musicians of all ages and skill levels playing the full range of orchestral instruments. It is a joy to watch him leading this group and to see the way in which the musicians respond to his leadership.

It is another brilliant example of communities at work providing opportunities for people to discover and express their their interests and talents, and to meet like-minded people in a joyous celebration.

Steel and Spirit

Posted: May 8, 2025 in Albany and the South Coasts
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Those of us of “a certain age” will reminisce from time to time about the trades and crafts that were common in years, and sometimes centuries, past, but no longer seem to exist.

One such trade is that of blacksmithing, so when I met 17-year-old Calvin Ullrich selling his wares at a market stall and discovered he was a blacksmith, I knew this was a story that had to be told.

I love this story and enjoy hearing Calvin’s enthusiasm for this ancient trade. It was inspiring just to watch him at work on his home-made forge and to be reminded that with patience, enthusiasm and a “can-do” spirit, what is old can become new again.

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