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blogging effort Larni (Learna Peelgrane)

Thank you Rick for drawing my attention to some wonderful memories.
I am Directing our local amateur production of "Oliver" with our
Muswellbrook Amateur Theatrical Society and our Shire Concert Band in
the Hunter Valley. 42 cast members, 16 in orchestra and living out
my fantasy of being a musical director.

You know you are easily satisfied and surprised by life's little
lucks when this happens to you........ 2 of the children I cast, un
beknown to me, (cute kids, good voices was what I saw) were children
our local scaffolding company in Muswellbrook. Score!!! We usually
hire the scaffolding when we make our stage in the local "Workers
Club" (a venue which could never be described as "flash' by anyone's
standards) but this time I winged it perfectly, and the labour and
the scaffolding will be put up and errected for Nothing!!!! I know I
am an amateur theatre junkie, when this surprise puts a lighter step
in my stride.

On a more serious note, the foundation of the time with other
teenagers during "Bottom" left a lasting impression on me and sits
with me in my work everyday. I teach drama for the Upper Hunter
Conservatorium here and 3 days as a Primary Drama teacher in a local
public school. My children Jasmine (23) and Lyndon (18) followed
my love of theatre. Jasmine graduated from NIDA 2 years ago for Set
and Costume Design, and Lyndon 18 is living in Melbourne and studying
music at VCA. Jasmine has just got work on Baz Luhrmanns "Great
Gatsby" helping out in the Art department for a months work, and then
about to do her first STC show "Fools Island" after that. Obviously
I am proud of her, but proud of myself for making a little
enthusiasm go along way in my life and others.
To think they are living an artistic life with friends and colleagues
is my greatest wish. How dreadful to be surrounded by people in your
life you have nothing in common with.....
so, thankyou to everyone for being part of my childhood.

35 years on, I have now done alot of Shakespearian texts, and
recently tackled "Midsummer Nights Dream" with some students.
Wow- things that I never ever understood at 14 were revealed to me in
the lessons I gave to others. That felt good and I felt clever,
which I never ever felt when I was younger.
Tidings to all who read this...

Larni (Snout- The Wall)
22nd June 2012

Memories of GENESIS :)

Nearly 5 YEARS since our DDYT reunion! (Genesis and Bottom's)

Hi everyone :)

I was thinking about our reunion recently, and decided to go and check
out whether or not the DDYT BLOG page was still active ... AND it is!
So that means, if you would like to write something on the BLOG page,
you can :) I would LOVE to hear from you all, and I'm sure many others
would too!

On June 16, it will be 5 years since our reunion! Incredible how that
time has gone by, so quickly! I really enjoyed seeing everyone at the
reunion:)
I just wish we could do it all over again, and next time, make it very
laid back, and have much more time to sit around and share lots, with
everyone!
Maybe we can work on another reunion, in the future, sometime :) In the
meantime, please consider adding something to the BLOG page.

So, to write something on the blog page, this is what you do ...

Simply address an EMAIL to: DDYT.Genesis.add2blog@blogger.com - In the
SUBJECT heading of YOUR email, write the TITLE of YOUR Blog.
Whatever you write in the body of your email will be what is shown on
the blog site! You then send your email, and then it magically appears
on the BLOG site!! Clever Leo!!!

After you have sent your email (or even if you don't contribute to the
blog), go to http://ddyt.blogspot.com.au/

Leo Keane set the BLOG page up, and he did the most incredible job!!
THANK YOU, Leo! :) AND thank you to ALL of you who contributed to the
blog, 5 years ago, and who may contribute in the future. It would be a
GREAT way to stay in touch :)

love to all
Rick Ireland

(I hope that all of the email addresses are still relevant. I tracked a
few addresses from people's FB pages, so let's see how many of you get
this letter!)

Coming up to 5 YEARS since the reunion!!

Hi everyone, Rick Ireland here .... not sure if anyone checks this page
any more, but I just wanted to say hi! It will be 5 years on June 16,
since we all gathered at The Empire, for our reunion :) I will endeavour
to send out emails to everyone, to remind you all, how you can add to
this BLOG, if you so choose :) I only just figured it, as I'd forgotten
a long time ago. If you are reading this and would like to add to the
BLOG ... you simply send an email to DDYT.Genesis.add2blog@blogger.com
You put the title of your BLOG in your email subject heading, and in the
body of your email you type what you'd like to share with everyone :)
Let's hope this works!!!!

It was the night before Christmas ...

... and the only mouse stirring was an Optical Wheel Mouse!

By now you should have received the email from Rick Ireland about the good news. After some discussion the decision was made to remove the couple of references stating our belief that Rick T had died rather than appending a correction notice to the video. The edit has now been made and the DVD of the reunion night celebration has been finalised. I have begun dispatching the DVD set. Hopefully some of you will have received the DVD for Christmas. I will email you to confirm your mailing address and also the best time to send it (ie to avoid sending you the DVD if you are away on holidays).

The Reunion night is contained on 2 DVD's (cover images below) however there wasn't sufficient room to include the slide-shows and other content onto the 2nd DVD. A third DVD will be made but I will send that at a later stage when I have a couple of other content items to add to it.

With regard to the DVD for the reunion night, you will inevitably notice some breaks in the continuity. Due to the changeover of the recording media during the night, there is the inevitable lost content. There will also be a couple of 'quiet' spots where the sound is muted when we incorrectly refer to Rick's demise. Also the part of the evening where the slide-show was shown has been removed for inclusion on the 3rd DVD (which will be dispatched in 2008).

I wish you a safe & happy holidays and hope that 2008 is your best year yet!

Zorba the Greek, Yolgnu style

Proving very popular on YouTube recently is a video of a group of young Aboriginal dancers from Arnhem Land performing a dance to the music of 'Zorba the Greek'. The video was posted on the 20th October and has been generating an average of more than 8,000 hits a day. This interpretive dance has reportedly proved popular with the Greek community and the group may be invited to Greece next year to perform the dance.

Here is a more traditional version of the dance:




Here is the Chooky Dancers' version:




Enjoy:)

Rick's Directorial debut this Saturday

Rick's début as a director will be this Saturday with the production of Wolf Boy and will be presented in the Toowoomba Repertory Theatre's Greenroom. The show starts at 8pm on Saturday 27 October 2007.

The following is from the Repertory Theatre's promotional material for the show:

Wolf boy is a very free interpretation of the only well-documented case of the capture and study of a feral, or wild, child.

In 1800, in a forest near Averyon in France, 'Victor' (as he was later called) was captured. All attempts to communicate with him were fruitless, his responses to stimuli being unpredictable and erratic. He quickly became a victim of the chaotic bureaucracy in post-revolutionary France, and was incarcerated in the Paris Institute for Deaf-Mutes while decisions were being made about his future.


Email from Rick:

Hi everyone,

I am directing my first play and for some of the actors it is their first Repertory play!! We are mostly very GREEN!

A wonderful story and hope that you can make it! No bookings but if you are there by 7.40, you will hopefully get a seat!

Play starts at 8pm and runs for one hour only.

Regards,
Rick

Naomi's Album Update - 'genesis' photos (1977)

The following photographs (reduced resolution) from the genesis' production have been scanned and added to Naomi's web album.


Click here to be taken to the DDYT home page for all available albums.

Click here to be taken to the home page for Naomi's web album.

The Album for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script is now available

The scanning of the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script has been completed. The images have been uploaded to the web album labelled "Scripts - Bottoms (1978)".

The scanning of both scripts has been completed. The links for viewing the scripts are as follows:


Click here to be taken to the DDYT home page for all available albums.

Click here to be taken to the home page for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

Click here to be taken to the slideshow for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

Click here to be taken to the home page for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script album.

Click here to be taken to the slideshow for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script album.


...

Script for "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" (1978 production) will be available shortly

A new album has been created to hold the page images for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script. The first couple of pages (covering the cast and list of scenes) have been uploaded and the remaining pages will be added over the next day or so after the 'scans' have been cleaned up.

Click here to be taken to the DDYT home page for all available albums.

Click here to be taken to the home page for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script album.

Click here to be taken to the slideshow for the 1978 "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream" script album.

As per my previous BLOG post, if there is any interest in having the scripts 'preserved' in a text based format I will look at creating a word document and/or PDF document for you.

If you would like this, please send an email to me (email address below) letting me know which scripts you want (genesis/Bottoms/both) and what format you would like it in (doc/pdf). When I have completed the conversion I will email you the document.

Please let me know before the 4th November 2007 so that I can begin the process before I return the scripts to the respective owners.


Genesis email: DDYT (dot) Genesis (at) gmail (dot) com

(remember to replace the (dot) and (at) with the keyboard character - we're trying our best to avoid 'bots' that scour the web harvesting email addresses for spamming purposes)

The Album for the 1977 'genesis' script is now available

The 1977 'genesis' script is now available. With regard to the 'anomalies' referred to in a previous post, the text on page 28 is truncated on the right side and page 31a is shorter than the foolscap page size. If anyone has a 'less affected' version please let us know (or even a confirmation that these 'anomalies' are standard for everybody).

Click here to be taken to the DDYT home page for all available albums.

Click here to be taken to the home page for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

Click here to be taken to the slideshow for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

As per my previous BLOG post, if there is any interest in having the scripts 'preserved' in a text based format I will look at creating a word document and/or PDF document for you.

If you would like this, please send an email to me (email address below) letting me know which scripts you want (genesis/Bottoms/both) and what format you would like it in (doc/pdf). When I have completed the conversion I will email you the document.

Please let me know before the 4th November 2007 so that I can begin the process before I return the scripts to the respective owners.


Genesis email: DDYT (dot) Genesis (at) gmail (dot) com

(remember to replace the (dot) and (at) with the keyboard character - we're trying our best to avoid 'bots' that scour the web harvesting email addresses for spamming purposes)

New Album - 1977 - genesis script

A new album has been created to hold the page images for the 1977 'genesis' script. The first 15 pages have been uploaded and the remaining pages will be added over the next day or so after the 'scans' have been cleaned up.

Click here to be taken to the DDYT home page for all available albums.

Click here to be taken to the home page for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

Click here to be taken to the slideshow for the 1977 'genesis' script album.

Script for "genesis" (1977 production) will be available shortly

I hope to complete scanning the 'genesis' script (Naomi's copy) and have a web album of it available by Thursday 25th October.

There are a couple of anomalies that you need to be aware of. On some pages the complete line of text is not there (ie the text continued past the boundaries of the page). There is also a short page (ie it isn't a full foolscap size in length and where it ends the text would suggest a section is missing).

As per my previous BLOG post, if there is any interest in having the scripts 'preserved' in a text based format I will look at creating a word document and/or PDF document for you.

If you would like this, please send an email to me (email address below) letting me know which scripts you want (genesis/Bottoms/both) and what format you would like it in (doc/pdf). When I have completed the conversion I will email you the document.

Please let me know before the 4th November 2007 so that I can begin the process before I return the scripts to the respective owners.


Genesis email: DDYT (dot) Genesis (at) gmail (dot) com

(remember to replace the (dot) and (at) with the keyboard character - we're trying our best to avoid 'bots' that scour the web harvesting email addresses for spamming purposes)

Naomi's Album Update - July 1977 clippings

The following items from the July 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Deeply moving performance (4 Jul 1977)
• Sang for their supper (8 Jul 1977)
  

...

Naomi's Album Update - June 1977 clippings

The following items from the June 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Shane Calcutt and Mark Little (3 Jun 1977)
• Advertisement for Oakey Show Pavilion performance (4 Jun 1977)
• Review for 'genesis' - A.M. (9 Jun 1977)
• 'Genesis' back to Toowoomba (11 Jun 1977)
• Stage was set for Robert's career (16 Jun 1977)
• Advertisement - returning to the Empire Theatre (18 Jun 1977)
• Genesis the result of 5 months of dedication (19 Jun 1977)
• Masks - Narda Jackson and Brenda Liesegang (26 Jun 1977)
  

Scripts for "genesis" and "Bottom's Electric Summertime Dream"

I still have around 100 pages of scanning to go. Most of this work relates to the 2 scripts. The page format for the scripts is the obsolete foolscap dimensions. If you are intending to print these out then it may mean using proportional printing techniques to avoid a page being printed out on two A4 pages (or missing part of the page if it is printed to one A4 page).

If there is any interest in having the scripts 'preserved' in a text based format I will look at creating a word document and/or PDF document for you.

If you would like this, please send an email to me (email address below) letting me know which scripts you want (genesis/Bottoms/both) and what format you would like it in (doc/pdf). When I have completed the conversion I will email you the document.



Genesis email: DDYT (dot) Genesis (at) gmail (dot) com

(remember to replace the (dot) and (at) with the keyboard character - we're trying our best to avoid 'bots' that scour the web harvesting email addresses for spamming purposes)

Naomi's Album Update - May 1977 clippings

The following items from the May 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Jim Cotter with musical instruments (2 May 1977)
  
• Count down starts for Genesis (3 May 1977)
  
• First rehearsal (4 May 1977)
• The sign of Satan (5 May 1977)
• Theatre support urged (6 May 1977)
  
• Costume - Leo Zeller assisted by Billy Wallace (7 May 1977)
• Youth Theatre shops locally (7 May 1977)
• Benefits from Genesis (10 May 1977)
• It has been a long time (11 May 1977)
• Capital 'C' or small 'g' (11 May 1977)
• 'Silly, hurtful, insulting' (11 May 1977)
• Cast who play many parts (12 May 1977)
• Opening night - Empire Theatre - advertisement (12 May 1977)
• 'Genesis' a superb creation (13 May 1977)
• Empire too good to go (16 May 1977)
• Can't find 'Pot' leaf (16 May 1977)
• Weekend of variety (16 May 1977)
  
• 'Genesis acceptable' (17 May 1977)
• No evil in 'genesis' (18 May 1977)
  
• 'Empire an all-rounder' (23 May 1977)
• Empire and Memorial (27 May 1977)
  
• Genesis ticket - Pittsworth Town Hall (28 May 1977)
• Advertisement for Pittsworth Town Hall performance (28 May 1977)
• Flyer for Pittsworth Town Hall performance (28 May 1977)
  

Naomi's Album Update - April 1977 clippings

The following items from the April 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Clean up for Genesis (12 Apr 1977)
• Theatre clean up for Genesis (12 Apr 1977)
• Rotary funds help Live-in workshop

Naomi's Album Update - March 1977 clippings

The following items from the March 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Youth Theatre gets free ride (9 Mar 1977)
• Old 'theatre' to come alive again (23 Mar 1977)
• Young people write own music (23 Mar 1977)
• 'No' to rock (25 Mar 1977)
• Photo - East Toowoomba Jaycees donation (31 Mar 1977)
  

Naomi's Album Update - February 1977 clippings

The following items from the February 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Selections for Youth Theatre project (18 Feb 1977)
• 'Every aspect of putting on a play' (20 Feb 1977)
• 42 at first Youth Theatre workshop (21 Feb 1977)
  

Naomi's Album Update - January 1977 clippings

The following items from the January 1977 period have been added to the web album:

• Youth Theatre project a first in Australia (20 Jan 1977)
• Youth Theatre staff (21 Jan 1977)
  

St Johns Cathederal today (under renovation)

St John's Cathedral is currently under renovation (see picture below). This project is expected to be completed in 2009. In 2006 the Queensland Government gave a $2 million grant towards the restoration of St John's Cathedral as part of the Legacy Infrastructure Program in preparation for Queensland's 150th anniversary. There is an historical link between the site and the creation of the colony of Queensland (i.e. when Queensland separated from the Colony of New South Wales) in that the proclamation that formed the colony of Queensland was read from the verandah/balcony of the Deanery (formerly known as Adelaide house).

St John's Cathedral was the venue for the final 'Genesis' performance in 1977. It is more than likely that the video from the Reunion in June will require 2 DVD's (and maybe 3 to include other material). I am looking at taking some additional footage of different venues involved with the DDYT project. I did some filming inside St John's Cathedral to possibly form part of the final presentation DVD (nothing fancy, just some pan shots to show you what it looks like today). I was trying to upload a segment of this for you to look at but it may be a little while before it is available. It appears I had a 'bad' day in Brisbane as I lost a few items (cap/cables etc) with all the running around on the day. The 'lost' power cable is needed to allow me to transfer the video to my hard drive. It utilises an 'irregular' voltage so I can't get away with a generic power supply. When I have replaced the cable I will let you know how to view the footage.

I will need to rely upon your memories though. I have taken the footage from within the Cathedral however nothing 'rang a bell' for me. Can someone confirm whether our performance was inside the Cathedral or in one of the other buildings on the site?



Further information about St John's Cathedral:

• Google Map view (max zoom)
  
• Wikipedia entry - St John's Cathedral
• St John's Cathedral web site
  

View Larger Map

Plan 221B - Take Holidays & Complete "To Do" List

I have a cunning plan! It's simple. It's brilliant. Don't go to work! I was thinking of patenting the idea but apparently it's been thought of before. Someone has even given it the name, "Annual Leave".

Under this latest plan I will dust off the To Do list (or perhaps it is the Should Have Been Done By Now list). I will finish off the scanning of memorabilia over the next fortnight (including the scripts) and also begin on the DVD. I will be catching up with Rick at the Coffee Club tonight to get a copy the video that was taken at the Reunion. I hope to make most of the 'hard yards' on it while I'm on holidays so that what remains at the end won't interfere with work. The distribution of the DVD may be a bit staggered. I will email you before hand to confirm where you want the DVD sent to.

Here's to hoping Plan 222B isn't needed;)

Naomi's Album Update - Misc undated items

A few more undated items have been added to Naomi's web album.

• "Dear Parents" - progress report to parents with 6 weeks to go (circa March/April 1977)
• "Dear Naomi" - short note about the Easter Live-in (1977 - Genesis)
  
• Easter Live-in schedule (1977 - Genesis)
  

Naomi's Album Update - Auditions

Naomi's we album has been updated with newspaper items (undated but most likely Jan/Feb 1977) relating to the Audition process.

• Advertisements for Auditions
• "Rush To Join The Theatre"
  

Email from Larni Peelgrane to Rick - permission to forward to blog.

 

 

I really have felt very happy within myself since I went to the reunion.  Suddenly the success of my life was more clear.  or should I say the "successes" in my life were more appreciated.  I have embraced my work here, with a little bit more of 'destiny' to be so.  I have really not strayed very far from back stage in ddyt, and now I realised that that was meant to be for  me..... 

As you know I am working on costumes for "Wonderful world of Disney" school musical my son is in.  The Puma has been a challenge, but it is nearly finished.  The wow factor is there, which I must have.  The Beauty and the Beast scene was also a major challenge, but should also live up to my expectations..... so I felt a bit daunted before I came to the reunion, but now I realise I just have to get on with it, and do it as I really see it must be done.  It is not hard when you think that way.

I took my 18 year old daughter to a NIDA play in Sydney, a 3rd year production of Sweet Charity.  Wow.... for $25 it was as good as any you get anywhere.  I knew it would be excellent, but now I am convinced of the 'sexiness' of theatre talent.  Isn't youth soooo vibrant on stage.  As you know, she is interested in the Costsume Design course, so you need to see as much of their stuff as you can for the 'interview'.  Anyway, I love Fosse, and Cabaret style, so this was really perfect for us to see.  On the new Mel Gibson stage it is pretty smick.  I pointed out photos of Mark Little on the wall...... good stuff.  I pointed out that all the people in the foyer waiting to go in and see the show were exactly the same people at the reunion..... my kids thought that was funny.

All my love and kisses.  I will keep your show on my agenda. Pray for good outcome for you.

Love Larn

 

Zoe the dog - Robert Kingham

Hi everyone,

 

Robert Kingham sent me this email (below) and requested that it be forwarded to the BLOG.

 

Let's hope that between those of us in the sunshine state, we may know of some one who is willing to take Zoe.

 

All the best,

Rick

 

 

Email from Robert ..................................

 

I'm just about to head off to Aceh for the week – back Thursday night.

 

But before I go, ask help with a small emergency. Perhaps this should go on the blogspot?

 

Wanted – a home for a 'older' (but still frisky) red heeler named Zoe who thinks she is a human, and despite her breed is very good with children..
Zoe has been my sister's constant companion since she was born, about 10 years ago I think.

 

Marina has just had to move into a town house  rental – n pets. So Zoe has moved in with my mother. She is grieving – which one – both actually.

 

We love Zoe heaps but my Mum at 80 is just not up to managing an animal much larger than a Chihuahua.  We don't want her to end up at the RSPCA (which is loomingly down the road from Mum's place). She needs space to run as well as company.

 

If anyoneout there would have a place to take Zoe in, please call my Mum, Ivy Dommett on 073 848 9851.

 

When I get back from Aceh I can sent cute photos of Zoe and I asleep on the sofa.

 

love Rob.

 

John McNamara shares his experience of catching up with Jim Cotter and family!!

It was typical Canberra winter day - cold and wet - as I made my way to the far northern suburbs in search of Naomi's house. I became lost, I'm a south Canberra man, comfortable in the shade of the hills hoist on Capital Hill.
I finally found N's lovely, warm, dry house. Two dogs looked wistfully thorugh the window, they'd been confined to the lovely outdoors and didn't look happy. Still they gave me no trouble, and I could look and feel smug.
I was running late, but everyone else was later still. So, still smug and now snug,  Naomi and I chatted over a glass of red, reminiscing about reminiscing: the good times we'd had in Toowoomba, how people change and stay the same.
Then John Gillies arrived, looking very Sydney for someone who'd spent the night up in the snow shooting video for a friend's music installation. He had a dog with him as well, so misery had company outside.
More red was poured, and then Kathryn, Jim and Myles arrived, which meant more red wine was poured.. Gosh it was good to see him, we had last caught up in the 90s. He is much the same: garrulous, obsessive, funny. Kathryn charming and lovely and obviously very patient. Myles a sweetie.
Things were warming up: more red wine, and a delicious lunch thanks to Naomi. We remembered and forgot and were reminded and smiled and laughed.
We gave Jim his plaque, he thanked the academy and everyone else, and seemed quite chuffed.
A very pleasant afternoon, and maybe it was the red wine, but I had the feeling we all thought we actually hadn't done too badly for all of ourselves these last thirty years.
Time to go, back into the cold rain.
Getting out of the north I became lost again, but eventually found my way back to the hill's hoist. But I must get up north again.
The best to you all
John

Naomi's Album Update - May 1977 Live-In

Naomi's Album has been updated with additional scanned material. These items deal with the arrangements for the May Live-In (1977) at Camp Toowoomba.

• Information for the May Live-In
• Participants Info Sheet (May 8) - Page 1
• Participants Info Sheet (May 8) - Page 2
• Sleeping Accommodation - Camp Toowoomba
• Info Sheet - Stage Crews/Music/Backstage

Naomi's album will be updated as more items are scanned.

...

Scanning has begun for Naomi's Album

At last I hear you say!! The replacement equipment has arrived so it's time to 'get back to work' and finish off the remaining projects.

I have started Naomi's album (see links at the bottom of this BLOG entry) and will try as best as possible to maintain a chronological order for the items. Naomi's contribution is for the 1977 (Genesis production) period. As mentioned previously, a number of items are dimensioned to the obsolete foolscap format. I opted for a new A3 scanner to minimise the time & effort that would otherwise be required for stitching images together if I used my existing A4 scanner. I chose a Mustek A3 scanner based purely on price - most A3 scanner options seem exorbitantly priced ($,000's) compared with A4 scanners.

Alas at the time of ordering, something about the Mustek brand was nagging away at me but I couldn't recall what my experience with it was. Now that I have got it & used it, that memory has come back. My father had a Mustek scanner some 10+ years ago and he had regular problems with it, particularly in winter. Years ago I could just about have disassembled the scanner blind folded! The 'quality' problem with this scanner is different and there isn't an adequate way of compensating for the colour cast problem. The scanned Acceptance Letter shows the graduated colour cast problem through the length of a scan. The album image you will see is after some work has gone into reducing the effect. It would have been more preferable if the colour cast was even across the image as it would have been easier to compensate for that. Fortunately most of the material in the foolscap format doesn't need to be in colour. The grey scale image is less affected by the sensor alignment problems. I have converted the remainder of the images I've scanned with the A3 scanner back to grey scale. It will mean that it will be 'slower going' in completing Naomi's album.

Naomi's Album entries:

• Acceptance Letter - Queensland Theatre Company
• Information for Parents - Queensland Theatre Company
• Orientation Weekend Information For Parents
• Orientation Weekend Information
• Schedule of Rehearsals & Performances

The album will be updated as more items are scanned.

Foolscap - the betamax of paper ...

Just a quick note about 'activity' for this week.

My "computer stuff" has arrived so I will be back into the DDYT project this week - however I have some heavy work commitments through to Friday so I may not get time to have it presentable for the BLOG/Album until the weekend.

A lot of the material to be prepared is on foolscap size pages which doesn't fit neatly with an A4 scanner. I've decided not to waste time with the tedious alternative of stitching images together and gone for an A3 size scanner (which I have now set-up). I have started the raw scans for some of Naomi's memorabilia. There is some tidy-up needed on the images before they are ready for the Album and I won't have time to do the work needed until Friday/Weekend (so no need to 'check-in' again until then).

I hope to catch up with Jeff later this week to see whether the video has been transferred across to disk and suitable for me to begin the video editing process. Will keep you posted on progress.

BLOG site visitors over the last 2 months

While this BLOG site has been operational since mid-February, I was interested to know if sufficient momentum had been generated by the BLOG site to justify an ongoing investment of time and energy into maintaining the site. When Rick & Michelle began searching for DDYT members, they found most had 'spread their wings' moving not only to the far reaches of Australia but also the world. Today there are DDYTers in Asia, Europe and the Americas. We had hoped that the BLOG site could help overcome the tyranny of distance by providing a common forum for the dissemination of information and for members to share life stories with the group.

To help evaluate the effectiveness of this medium, 2 months ago I set up some web monitoring to provide broad statistical information (ie number of visitors; OS used; browsers used; pages viewed; active browsing time; visitors region etc). The feedback indicated that the BLOG site was being regularly accessed and therefore was a worthwhile exercise to maintain the site in the lead-up to the reunion.

One of the statistics that intrigued me was the number of 'unique visitors' and the number of countries that visitors haled from. Clearly there are others outside our circle (inclusive of our family & friends) that have had a passing interest in the DDYT experience.

For those of you that are interested, I have gathered a list of the countries of origin for visitors to our BLOG site. Visitors to the BLOG site have come from 44 different countries or territories. Since I have been maintaining the site, the monitoring was setup to exclude me from the statistics to prevent any distortions.

Below is the list of countries or territories provided in descending order by the total number of visits per country/territory over the last 2 months:

Australia (highest number of visits - 640 visits)
United States
Indonesia
India
United Kingdom
Germany
Canada
Portugal
Spain
Singapore
Malaysia
France
Turkey
Italy
Brazil
Sweden
Hong Kong (highest average time per vist of 19:49 mins/visit)
Belgium
Romania
Chile
Thailand
Taiwan
Vietnam
Austria
Ireland
Pakistan
Greece
Netherlands
Laos (highest average number of pages/visit - 10.0 pages/visit)
Argentina
Japan
Iran
Ukraine
Finland
Ecuador
Kuwait
Mexico
Palestinian Territory
Reunion
Kazakhstan
Algeria
Tanzania
Peru
Panama

Over the next few weeks I will change the visitor's time clock to reflect the time for each city that a visitor has haled from.

FYI - The Rise of PDF Spamming

(Not long now before the final computer thingamajigs arrive so I can get back to DDYT stuff)

Have you started to notice the rise of PDF Spamming?

Isn't life being connected to the Internet like living in "interesting times"? So many exciting 'positives' & benefits from this interconnected way of communicating & yet so many new hazards to negotiate. Those intent on malicious endeavours have found a powerful medium with which to dramatically expand their sphere of influence with minimal risk of substantive consequences. The cost of their endeavours are borne by us either directly or indirectly.

Spamming techniques & strategies have evolved over the last decade. Methods for obfuscation; harvesting email addresses; 'hijacking' computers; and content packaging & delivery have become more sophisticated to keep abreast of the detection & defensive counter measures.

Over the last year, image based spamming (embedding messages in GIF and JPEG files) has been the approach du jour however it now appears to be fading in preference for a new method for content packaging. Over the last few months there has been a rapid rise in the use of PDF files for delivering the spamming content. In this first generation of PDF content delivery, it is being used as a very simple delivery for existing spam content and generally is just a quick repackaging of the previous image technique. I'm not aware of the PDF format containing a more sinister payload with this current generation but be vigilant as this may change.



My first encounter with this delivery method slipped under my guard. It came in an email identifying itself as an invoice. I am used to receiving invoices in an electronic method (no surprise that businesses choose to deliver it this way as it is significantly cheaper than the traditional hard copy + postage method). Alarm bells did ring but for a different reason. I was fearing credit card abuse.

"Who's been using my credit card?" I muttered, "Damn that Goldilocks - I always thought that bed-napping, porridge-pinching vagabond would come to no good!!"

Existing security software didn't register any threat when I opened the document (and it may be some time before software defensive strategies take account of this new threat & devise appropriate counter measures) . The document did not contain any malicious payload this time but it now means that there is an additional overhead in dealing with the current threat & the the potential dangers that will arise when a more malicious payload is embedded into it.

For those interested in knowing more, here are further links:

• SANS Internet Storm Center - PDF vulnerabilities

• eWeek.com - Hacker Discovers Adobe PDF Back Doors

• XSS a shadow of things to come

• Exponential XSS Attacks

• IT Business Edge - Image Isn’t Everything as PDF Spam Grows
  

• Secure Computing - Email security vendors see PDF spam spike
  

...

Beware of small charges on your Credit Card ...

(Yep still padding while waiting for the last of the hardware to arrive so I can be productive again:)

Beware of small charges on your Credit Card ...

Something that you may need to be aware of is the new strategy of scammers to check the validity of stolen credit card details by making small donations via charitable websites. This technique is not aimed at benefiting charities but is merely a strategy to check the usability of the credit card while minimising the risk of being picked up by the banks' fraud detection systems as they are not deemed to be regular transactions.

You should be on the lookout for unauthorised transactions 'fitting the bill' as it could be a pre-cursor to far more serious fraud on your account.

For more information you can click on the following links:

• Symantec Security Response Weblog

• Secure Computing #1

• Secure Computing #2

• ITNews

• Techworld
  

...

And now for something completely different ...

Ahhh you've probably seen this doing the email rounds. It's a very funny Norwegian skit about the challenges of technical support. I figured while I'm in a 'hardware challenged' period, a bit of light relief is just the remedy. I've tracked down a version of the skit from YouTube and have embedded the link for your entertainment. Having spent a number of years providing technical support, I get a chuckle out of this and I'm sure you will too!



Technical Support in the Middle Ages.

PS: A broadband connection is best for viewing this. If you are on a slower connection, try allowing it to cache locally before continuing. You can do this by pressing the 'Play' button to start the playback and then clicking on the 'Pause' control. The cache progress bar should continue to advance while you are paused. When the cache progress bar is at the end, then click on the 'Play' button to resume the playback.

What's yet to be done ...

The BLOG site is currently in a 'low activity' state and will be for the next 1-2 weeks. This time of year (ie end of financial year) means lots of long days/nights dealing with the peak work load (ohhh for the old days when you got paid for the hours you worked - so last millennia). Additionally some computer equipment has not liked the old Toowoomba winter weather - something about the high thermal transients and expansion/contraction rates of dissimilar materials. The computer graveyard has allowed me to resurrect an interim solution until the replacement computer arrives (its somewhere on the seven seas getting sea sick I suspect).

Until then the scanning of scripts & Naomi's memorabilia is on-hold. It also means that I haven't yet caught up with Jeff Williams to transfer the video over to disk to begin the editing for the DVD. Jeff is also busy at this time of year so hopefully when my new equipment has arrived, we will both have some 'spare' time to begin the transfer process.

Cheers for now (and back to the salt mines for me:)

Plaques presented to Robert Kingham & Jim Cotter at the Reunion(s)

Now that the Reunion (Part 2) has been completed, it is 'safe' to display the plaques for all to see.

The images below have been reduced in size for the web and therefore may not be overly readable. The plaques had an aluminium plate mounted on a 10" x 13" (25cm x 32.5cm) timber wall with the wording and images printed against a polished silver background.

Inside the Alpha and Omega symbols are the names of the staff & participants involved with the Darling Downs Youth Theatre for the 2 years 1977-1978. The names came from the Genesis & Bottoms program guides so my apologies if you were a participant but not listed in either of the program guides as I may have omitted your name. The Alpha and Omega symbols were synonymous with the Genesis musical production and have been incorporated in the plaque with the context of the beginning and end of the Darling Downs Youth Theatre project. These images and the associated artwork will be incorporated into a web album (will be a little while off as I have a high workload for the next month) and into the presentation DVD (also a little while off).

Plaque (above) presented to Robert Kingham at the Toowoomba reunion 16 June 2007.

Plaque (above) presented to Jim Cotter at the Canberra reunion (part 2) 7 July 2007.

DDYT Reunion - Part 2 (no it's not the cruise yet!)

Hi everyone

 

Thanks for a fantastic time in Toowoomba.  The memories were wonderful and the years seemed to melt away.  My favourite moment was when we had mostly sat on the floor after the slideshow and were just chatting together.  I am so glad to have caught up with a bunch of very special people again!

 

But ........ Just when you thought, "well that's it and wasn't it great''  we are organsing a second part to the whole thing!

 

As you know Jim Cotter is here in Canberra and we would like to present him with a plaque similar to the one we gave to Rob. Sadly Jim was unable to make it to Toowoomba so we ared bringing the reunion to him.  (well a mini-version anyway)

 

We will be having lunch at my place on Saturday 7 July from 12.30pm.  I thought that there may be people in the relatively near vicinity who may wish to join us  (eg Sydney people)  If you would like to come please let me know by Thursday 5th July so we can organise for enough food and grog to be available.

 

My address is:

 

16 Garrad Court

Charnwood  ACT

 

(directions can be given but it's not hard to get to)

 

My phone number is 0417 247 875.

 

 

Cheers

 

Naomi

 

 

Email from Gayle Cullinan! (permisson given to forward to blog)

Hi Rick- how are you, my friend?  Hope the reunion went well - i look forward to hearing about it. Also thank you for getting Robert in touch with me - that is great - although what a shame it came only as I'm leaving Aceh after long posting for new ventures - read on....now I might need the contact details for mark in new york....

 

Meanwhile, here is my latest news.....

 

My time in Aceh with the tsunami reovery posting just flew by and was remarkable life experience...fantastic!!

but I've got a fantastic new posting and so will be saying goodbye to Oz for a while.
I have been offered an opportunity simply too good to refuse – as global staff counsellor with UNICEF based at United Nations Staff Well Being Unit Headquarters in New York. 

I'm still can honestly say that I haven't done this by design, as much as serendipity and twists of fate, with hard work thrown in for good measure. I am sincerely passionate about my field of trauma and counselling, but I have also always dreamed of having a simple life - goodness knows how I end up with such full on career path. Now the UN for goodness sake - and a global position -Lordy, big stuff for a little ol' girl from country Toowoomba! Please indulge me the excitment as well as being a bit overwhelmed....

My new role will focus initially primarily on developing UN's global response to emergencies such as pandemics, terrorism and sudden outbreak of war (eg when staff have to be evacuated or remain in lockdown, including support for families left behind and helping staff continue to provide essential services during crises), for staff such as peacekeepers and core emergency staff. I will be traveling extensively – alas, not to the Caribbean as I would like….more like places where everyone is leaving instead of in the tourist brochures.

I will now be moving to New York, based at UN Headquarters. Please feel welcome to stay in touch. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.

 

Email: gacullinan@hotmail.com

Aust ph: 0431801892

Until we meet again,
Gayle CULLINAN

Thoughts from Robert Kingham (section lifted, with permission, from email to Rick)

 

 

 

I feel as if I've come back through the looking glass

 

The general level of apprehension early in the evening was so extraordinary. I think we all wondered whether we would have anything to say to one another. Did we have anything that linked us other than a youthful experience? It seems we did. We do. It was very wonderful to be able to reconnect with a part of my life which I thought was lost forever. And I realize the pain of thinking I'd lost it was what had distanced me so from my past life for so long. I don't think I was the only one to feel like this. Somehow since Saturday it is ok. One life consists of so many bits. This week I understand better it is ok to have baggage, and even better to have friends. And to be proud of both. What you, Michele, Jeff and Leo have done is a wonderful thing. Thankyou is inadequate.

 

 

Genesis/Bottom's Contact List has now been sent

Rick has now emailed the contact list to everyone so check your INBOX for the email. There is an attachment to the email containing the contact details. The contact list is in an Excel spreadsheet format ("genesis reunion contact list.xls").

If you don't have Excel (or compatible software) installed on your machine, you can download the free OpenOffice software from the SourceForge site.

There is a portable version that allows you store and run the application form a potable device such as iPod, USB flash drive, CD, etc (you can take the removable device from machine to machine and run the programs without need to install it).

Click here for the OpenOffice.org Portable version

If you would prefer it in a CSV or other format, let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Email from Gayle Cullinan (Acting team Genesis) - sent to Rick some time back!!

Hi Rick,

well, the plans look great! thank you so much for all the hard work. I'd
love
to come, and had hoped to be able to get there, but alas, I'm still
overseas
working in Aceh, Indonesia with the tsunami recovery program. I'm in charge
of
psychosocial programs here so cannot get away at that time. when i get the
next
chance over next few weeks, i will write a speil about what i'm up to. also
wish i could access my old photos but eveyrthing is in storage since i was
posted to indonesia.

i enjoy the cinbtact - keep in touch!

love
gayle

Emails - from Karyn Simmons

Email 1:

Hi Rick

Arrived back in Bangkok in the early hours of Wednesday morning and am
still unpacking and recovering! I can still barely believe we all got
together after 30 years! It was an absolute BLAST and I am so pleased I
was able to attend - despite being breathalysed in Toowoomba at 2am Sunday
morning on my way to my cousin's house! (No problem with being over the
limit - more cups of tea than alcohol!)

I am so fascinated by all the different things people have been doing -
what a variety of life experiences! - the transformation from teenagers on
the Downs to grown-ups (with spectacles!) is amazing!

Absolutely please keep in touch and I really look forward to the DVD.
yours, from the tropics,

Karyn

Email 2: Cherry Ripes and Koalas

Have unpacked everything and family now full of
Caramello Koalas and Cherry Ripes! So pleased to be home again but
thinking
enviously of all the cool air and big blue skies in Queensland as I sit
here
at 9.30am and it is 35 degrees already and there's that wonderful Bangkok
pollution haze outside - thank goodness for aircon!!!

Have a good weekend!

Karyn

Email from Kate Foy

Hi Rick

many thanks for all the great work you did in order to get last Saturday night together so brilliantly.  It was a wonderful gathering of souls, and you are spot on I think to be so moved.

As promised, I spoke with Joseph Mitchell Queensland Theatre Company's Youth and Education Manager about accessing the blog etc. for archival purposes.  He is keen to speak with you, and has given me his card to pass on.  I'll slip it in the mail, and leave you to contact Joe to further this.  

I also reported to the board how thrilled I was to hear 45-something men and women speak so positively about what that long-gone initiative of QTC did and continues to do for their lives.  I think all were very impressed.  I know Youth and Education continues to have a very high priority in the company's vision.

Anyhow, thanks again.  I'll keep an eye on the blog of course, and if there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

Warm wishes

Dr Kate Foy

Chairman 

Queensland Theatre Company

0409-135186

 

Email from Andrea Dye

Hi Rick,

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of myself and Mike for a memorable
occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and Mike was particularly
impressed with the love and passion that was evident in everyone there. He's
never been involved with a group of people in such an intense environment as
we experienced with "genesis" and "Bottoms".

My photos did not turn out as well as they could have due to camera problems
(also camera operator problems I must admit) but I will send through what
I've got once I have a chance to play on my PC at home.

Once again, thanks for all of your hard work...you're a legend!

Love,

Andrea Dye
Administrative Officer
Faculty of Business
University of the Sunshine Coast
Tel: (07) 5430 1284
Fax: (07) 5430 1231

Thanks for the vision and determination to organise the reunion - from Leo Keane

Hi Michelle/Rick

I just wanted to say 'thanks' to you for having the vision and determination to organise the Genesis/DDYT reunion.

I had long wanted to be able to thank Robert, Rick, Lloyd & Jim for the enormous effort they invested into us when we were kids (or as Rick preferred young 'people'). I wanted to be able to thank them once I had sufficient life experience to comprehend the type of effort required to mount such a project and overcome the challenges that would have beset them.

If you hadn't initiated the reunion, I doubt I would ever have honoured that promise.

With deep affection and love,

Leo

Email from Josephine Frankland

 

A big thankyou guys for putting it all together. I found I was hanging out last Sat night with the same teenagers I hung out with 29 years ago. And we were still as funny and silly as we were then. I look forward to getting the email list. xxx  Josephine

 

Email from Mary Stuart!

 

Thanks Rick,

 

I think it was a tremendous occasion…interesting, bizarre, and really warm fuzzy stuff! I had a great conversation with Camilla, as I gave her a lift back to Brisbane.  I would love to have talked to you some more, and will be in touch next time I'm up in Toowoomba….I come up once a month to see my parents. I was very impressed by your achievement….congratulations, and once again, many thanks.

Mary Stuart

 

Hi from Rick - how are you all going?

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to say hi and again say thank you to all of you who were able to attend the reunion night/breakfast.  Your being there, made for a very SPECIAL evening.  And if you weren't able to make it, we were sorry we missed you, but there's talk of getting together in 5 years time!!  We'll keep you posted!

 

I felt absolutely overwhelmed by the whole occasion and in a very good way!  What a gift, to be able to meet you all after 29/30 years!!

 

Jeff's Dad is currently downloading the film from the evening and then Jeff and Leo will be working on editing the footage from Saturday evening.  This will then be added to a 'work in progress DVD' that Leo is putting together and then when all is complete, Leo will be sending you all a DVD (or two), with memorabilia to keep forever and ever!!  If you weren't able to make the night, we would still like to send you a DVD, so please send me your updated address details.

 

If you did not write your address details in the 'visitors book' on Saturday night, could you please email me your updated address/phone details.  This info will be added to a list, and sent to you all.  This way we can stay in touch with each other, when we so choose. (If you do not want your info put on the list, please let Rick know ASAP).

This list will not be published on the BLOG, but sent to your separate email addresses only.

 

Now that the reunion has 'been and gone', I know that there are many of us that have made connections with others and will be staying in touch.  Wonderful!!  Mission accomplished!

 

Might you also consider to continue to share some thoughts on the BLOG ( & eventual Website), so that we can keep the momentum going.  I think that it would be a shame to lose the connections that we've recently experienced.  What do you think?

 

Leo came over last night  to collect some of Naomi Nicholson's album memorabilia, including a GENESIS script!  These images and script, along with Josephine's copy of the Bottom's script, will be added to our DVD compilation package!!!   Can't wait!

 

Well that's it's for me, for the moment, but I will continue to update you all, as best I can, with any info and developments!  Remember that if you want to share anything on the BLOG and you can't work out how to do that, simply send me your email and I will forward it directly to the BLOG.

 

If you email me/us and do not want your email published on the blog, please make a point of saying something like 'Not for Blog'.

 

Still a bit in awe of 'our gathering' and the significance of that.  Significant for me, because it shows that even after 30 years, the candle flame of friendship has not been 'blown out'. 

 

Love and hugs,

Rick

 

PS:  If you do not want to continue to receiving emails, or if you would like your email address deleted from our list, please let Rick know.