 Report of my visit to Australia 2008 |
Friday 29th February
At last, it was so far, the beginning of my trip to Australia and staying for 5 weeks, what a wonderful outlook. I got up early as I had to get to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam by 09.00, to meet my dear friend Kath van Hanegem who lives in England and was flying from London-Stansted to Schiphol Airport Amsterdam. Yes she has arrived, just have to wait a while for her case before travelling together to Australia. Our plane was ready to board and at 12.00 hours we began our journey via Kuala Lumpur, stopping for a 3 hour break before continuing to Australia. We left Kuala Lumpur to continue our journey to Brisbane via Sydney..
Saturday 1st March
We arrived at the “Grand Chancellor” in Brisbane
hotel at 23.30 after flying for approximately
22 hours and travelling approximately 16,500km,
after such an eventful day, the ‘body clock’ was
completely out of its rhythm, so it was a restless night.
Sunday 2nd March
Sunday afternoon at 14.00 Teacher Jan Williams picked us up and we travelled together to Toowoomba.
On arriving at Hotel Carousel we were made so welcome by Teacher Beryl Harch.
First to our room, a shower and a change of clothes was the first priority, afterwards meeting and getting to know the other Teachers. Everyone was pleased to meet me.
Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th March
The first two workshops were held and everyone worked with so much keeness and enthusiasm.
We did so much enjoy our stay in Toowoomba, it gave us so much pleasure.
Left: Jan Williams en Beryl Harch
Group photo with the Teachers from Toowoomba. Beryl Harch next to me (red T-shirt)
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Wednesday 5th March
Today we left Brisbane for Melbourne. Departure time should have been 09.50 but sadly there was a 2 hour delay. Anyway, we eventually flew to Melbourne where we were met by our dear friends Jenny (Teacher) and Jack Hopmans.
Further by car from Melbourne to Mount Eliza,
this is near Frankston. We very much enjoyed
the scenery along this route and also
the wonderful temperature of Australia.
Thursday 6th March
Wonderful, at last, a relaxing day.
I was beginning to suffer from jet-lag and the beginnings of a cold.
The temperature had been 2c degrees in Holland and was now 32c degrees in Australia.
Friday 7th March
Travelled by car to the following workshop in Frankston.
After being introduced to all the Teachers
we were welcomed by Jenny Hopmans and wished us all an enjoyable day. It really was a lovely day.
Together we had a pleasurable day including a wonderful lunch and the day just flew by.
Group photo with the Teachers who attended in Frankston
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Saturday 8th March
Today we set off by car to travel via Ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliffe to Geelong. Always travelling by car because the distances between places is so great and no available public transport, another reason for not seeing many cyclists.
This workshop was held in Geelong in a Craft Shop. This was closed all day so that we could use the facilities of same. Another lovely day where everyone worked hard and were so enthusiastic and went home so satisfied.
Sunday 9th to Friday 14th March
A few days spent sight-seeing and relaxing.
Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th March
This weekend was the Tachers’ Update in Boronia, which was organised by Pergamano International Netherlands and co-ordinated with Teacher Mary Grant.
Left is a photo of half of the teachers who attended,
busy learning new techniques.
We had two hard working and enjoyable days here.
A wonderful atmosphere shared between us all, as you see here with a break for lunch, one of the many good meals we enjoyed in Australia
After two very satisfying days, a thank you was given to us from Mary Grant, and of course another group photo was taken. On my right side is Mary Grant and to my left is my friend Kath van Hanegem from England.
Monday 17th to Tuesday 25th March
This week, amongst many things, we learnt to know Australia better.
We were invited by Ana to visit Rossdale in Cheltenham, importer and distributor of many
craft products. After being introduced to Peter Rossdale we enjoyed coffee together and were shown around the office and warehouse. Unfortunately I do not have a photo of this event.
Next on our list was to visit a grand craft business, West Art in Melbourne. We were welcomed by the owner, Jeff, whatever item I wanted to see or try out I was invited to do so, marvellous, and of course I did a grand amount of shopping myself.
 | | Jenny and I having a conversation with Jeff |
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 | | Jenny, Dianna, myself and Jeff |
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Wednesday 26th March
We packed our cases yesterday as we knew we would be leaving by car tomorrow for Murray Bridge, approximately 700km.
Early rising this morning, the car is loaded.
Time to say goodbye to Mount Eliza where we spent 3 enjoyable weeks with our friends Jenny Hopmans (Teacher), her husband Jack and son Daniel. The journey could begin, so we left at approximately 06.30.
It was a long journey, but of course saw many sights along the way, and we of course stopped several times to have a bite to eat etc. During one of these stops we met up with Elizabeth Willey (Teacher) and her husband Michael.
We travelled further together and at the end of the afternoon arrived in Murray Bridge. We were heartily welcomed by our hostess Lesley Zadow and her husband Ken.
Unpacked the cases as we were staying a week (our last week in Australia) with Lesley and Ken. A nice cup of coffee was had followed by a lovely evening meal together.
From left to right:
Jack Hopmans, me, Jenny Hopmans, Elizabeth Willey, Ken Zadow, Lesley Zadow, Bev Coad, Michael Willey
Thursday 27th March
A free day.
For me, a good opportunity to tell you something about the Parchmentcamp. Lesley Zadow is the driving force behind this project.
She has organised this event for years and many Teachers from all over Australia participate. Everything is well organised such as coffee, tea, lunch and evening meal.
During the 2 days of this yearly Parchment camp different Teachers give lessons to different groups with their own projects.
Organiser and Hostess: Lesley Zadow
Friday 28th March
Workshop in Murray Bridge.
Lesley Zadow introduced us with welcoming words. My friend Kath and I were given a hearty welcome by Lesley and all the Teachers.
Kath helps me immensely, as she had done during all the other workshops in Australia.
She is a Star!!
It was a large group and this day the Teachers could choose which project they would like to do.
I had brought several different projects with me, after the choices were made, each project for each group was explained after which everyone began.
Even though the temperature was high everyone worked very hard and with great enthusiasm which in itself created a wonderful atmosphere.
Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th March
Parchment Camp by Lesley Zadow
The group photo of the Teachers who were attending from Friday 28th – Monday 31st March:
Top row from left to right: Ann Flintham, Annette Laane, Patty Thompson, Rhonda Baker, Elizabeth Willey, Jill Murfet, Julie Doudle Hatch.
Middle row from left to right: Bev Coad, Chris Fagan, Marjorie Michell, Jane Higgs, Dianna Percival, Glenys Crisp, Jan Henderson, Julie Sherwin, Muriel Hucker, Petula Sheppard, Jenny Hopmans, Shirley Millman, Anna Budel, Jan Church.
Front row from left to right: Margaret Adamso, Chris Sara, Lesley Zadow, Belle Wlliams, Anneke, Kathleen, Janet Jackson, Glennie Dixon, Bev Allen.
Monday 31st March
Today’s I have a workshop in Murray Bridge, was with the same Teachers as last Friday..
Tuesday 1st April
The newspaper, The Murray Valley, South Australia, was brought into the room by Lesley Zadow and she told us there was an article inside about the 2 workshops and the 2 Parchment Camp days and a piece over me.
This was a very nice surprise and a lovely end to my stay of 5 weeks in Australia.
The newspaper, The Murray Valley, South Australia news:
Craft enthusiast filled the upstairs room at the Murray Bridge and District Community Club for an annual craft workshop . Murray Bridge woman Lesley Zadow has been holding a national Parchmentcraft Camp for the past 13 years in places from Horsham to Phillip Island, with woman from across the country making the early pilgrimage. The four-day workshop from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday focussed on Parchmentcraft, with people producing cards, fans, wall decorations, picture creations and even a clock.
Mrs. Zadow said some women had attended the camp for many years, with many enjoying more than just the craft .”It’s the craft, it’s the fellowship and new friends”, Mrs Zadow said.
An international star was in their midst this year, with renowned Parchmentcraft books Anneke Oostmeijer from The Netherlands, sharing her expertise with the craft camp attendees.
Mrs. Zadow said it was an honour to have a distinguished expert to help at the workshops. She said the teachers/woman learnt new techniques which would be a great help to them in the future.
Next year’s Parchmentcraft Camp will be held in Geelong, Victoria.
Lesley Zadow and Anneke Oostmeijer.
Wednesday 2nd April
The last evening in Australia...trying to get everything into the suitcases. My friend and I had received so many gifts and space had to be found for these too. Fits of laughter as we tried to get our cases closed, only one solution, sit on the lid and hooray, managed to get them shut.
Thursday 3rd April
An early morning departure,
with our friends, heading by
car to Adelaide.
Saying “Goodbye” was very
difficult. Kath and I had had
a fantastic 5 weeks in Australia, all thanks to the enormous amount of input and excellent organization from various Teachers.
Adelaide Airport, left to right:
Jenny, Ken, Lesley, Michael, Elizabeth, Kath and me.
Place we visited in Australia:
Adelaide, Ballarat, Boronia, Borossa, Brisbaine, Caufield, Cheltenham Gumeracha, Daylesford, Dimboola, Dundees, Frankston, Geelong, Healesville, Lillydale, Melbourne, Toowoomba, Mornington Mount Eliza, Murray Bridge, Seaport, Sorronto - Queenscliff, Springton, Tanunda, Williamstown
Teachers and my friends Elizabeth, Lesley, me, Jenny, Kath .
Goodbye Dear Friends !!
We will see one another again in 2010 !!!!
| Auteur - Illustrator - Erkend Pergamano Docent - Anneke Oostmeijer - Author - Designer - Registered Pergamano Teacher |
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