From your intrepid Wendy Jane Whalley.
Yes, you know me from all those emails you get, but sometimes I venture out to go and visit new grandchildren in other states!
In November, I drove to Victoria to meet my newest grandson and his nearly 3-year-old sister, and took the opportunity while I was there to drop in on my mate Mat Cummins, who took me on a lovely tour of TR FM.
On the way back to Sydney, I spent a couple of nights in our Capital city to catch up with some radio people and to carry out my long-threatened visit to the National Film and Sound Archive!
Every time the lovely Louise Alley renews the radioinfo subscription – it’s been about 20 years now – I always talk about visiting, so we finally made a firm plan! While Louise is now Sydney-based, she put me on to the delightful Irina Agaronyan, with this message… “Do sing out when you know when you’re passing through, and I will blare klaxons through Acton to alert the team to your presence.” [I so love the relationships that I get to build up over the years with you lovely people in Radioland!]
Irina (pictured below) generously gave up quite a bit of her time to show me around, and we both agreed that one of the absolute highlights is the museum – it’s not huge, but oh my, there is so much history there – especially for an oldie like me who has watched television with her children since the early 1980s!
In the display case, there is even the original Humphrey Bear – see how many other treasures you can find!
The other highlight is the Arc Cinema, where they put on a spectacular variety of films, especially during the summer, until the end of February. Definitely the spot to be on a blazing hot day. Here are some highlights: Chicken Run; Blade Runner; Two Hands; A Streetcar Named Desire; The Blues Brothers, and Woodstock, to mention a few.
Below are a couple of old treasures, which is what the archive is really about, so that we don’t lose our history – underground, people are beavering away, actually archiving material for our future.
Irina made me feel so welcome at my first-ever visit to the NFSA, and it will not be my last; it is a hidden treasure house. Thank you to all at NFSA.
It is definitely one of the privileges of my position at radioinfo (and Radio Today) that I get to (mostly e-) meet so many warm and passionate people who love what they do.
At the National Film & Sound Archive this month, Hot Summer Nights returns for its second year with an unforgettable blend of live local music and classic cinema — all in one ticket for the ultimate summer evening.
Every Friday and Saturday from January 9 to February 14, start your evening from 6 pm in the heritage courtyard with live performances from talented local artists, paired with local wines, summer cocktails, and charcuterie from Dom’s deli & bar. At 8 pm, step into Canberra’s most beautiful cinema for a hand-picked film, from sensual classics to gritty dramas and beloved musicals.
Wendy Whalley is Admin Manager at radioinfo and Radio Today