GEMMA BLACK : ARTIST / CALLIGRAPHER

  This morning we took advantage of the beautiful day here in Canberra to visit the Botanic Gardens nestled at the base of Black Mountain, walk through the rainforest, the eucalypts, Wollemia pines and play with the water dragons. We started with breakfast at Pollen and as the morning got warmer and warmer the place to be was the cool of the rainforest. I saw a very interesting sign. My mind did a flip and my hear a flutter "could I possibly walk to the tower on the top of Black Mountain?" A truly beautiful red eucalypt Natural rock texture along the way. We made the decision to walk to the top though I had reservations as to whether I would make it. I knew David would as his fitness level is much higher than mine. I could hear my heart beat in my head and my pulse was racing as sweat dripped from my whole body. I made the decision to turn back after some really difficult (for me) steep slopes. David continued to climb as I headed back down to get the car from the gardens and...

  David Nuttall Interview Thoughts on retirement … or not! I’ve been playing the oboe for a long time now, it’s part of me. It’s not everything, but it is a major part of my makeup and I love it. I love classical music in all its forms, from as far back as you can go to contemporary music. I love it all, so to finish with Beethoven is not a bad way to say farewell. Beethoven Seven is hard work but it’s spectacular, and I’m sure the audience would have been all revved up.  Caroline was very generous with her words for all of us retiring last week. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel finishing up my professional performances but as well as my hugely supportive orchestral colleagues, I have had a great support team who’ve kept me on the stage. I have had excellent masseurs and a fabulous physiotherapist and GP as do sports people who travel with an entourage. For instance, Ash Barty always talks about the team who look after her, not so much about winning or losing. There is an understand...

  American poet Ogden Nash wrote: "The oboe’s a horn made of wood. I’d play you a tune if I could, But the reeds are a pain, And the fingering’s insane. It’s the ill wind that no one blows good." And, the good fortune that has come our way is the one, the only, David Nuttall (aka The Oboe Player). After fifty something years of an extraordinary career Nuttall is hanging up the reeds as he retires from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. His final two concerts are this Friday evening and Saturday evening with Beethoven's Eighth Symphony followed by Beethoven's Seventh Symphony respectively. The seventh is my absolute favourite and in particular, the second movement. A career is not about the final farewell but rather about the years and years of training, passion & devotion to one's craft. It's a continuing professional development and maintenance of the highest professional standards, abilities and performance not just musically but personally as well over...

  Wonderful news of Ellen's operation it was a huge success. Neurosurgery is just amazing in this day and age and the surgeons who perform it are true healers. Two days in hospital and then home to recover. About six weeks and with the doctors permission before Ellen will be able to drive again. All the family is elated with this news and will help her in any way for the best outcome in recovery.  

  Having come to the ACT in 1977, a tumultuous year, I have grown very fond of my years here. One of the places I sought sanctuary was this place, the National Gallery of Australia. I talk a lot out our Gallery in my lectures and I have found it to be very welcoming, a way to touch and communicate with past creative minds.  I have seen the Gallery as I have seen Canberra grow and blossom into real places of worth to be in and live in. These from my walk in the NGA sculpture garden and on my Bridge to Bridge walk, enjoy!   THE FOG SCULPTURE