with thanks to Poppy for including me in the exhibition,Twenty Strong Daylesford Women at The Convent Gallery, a photography exhibition by Poppy Cagacj, Nov 2014 to Jan 2015
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Her contribution to the Guild and its members has been recognized in a life membership of the Australian Storytelling Guild Victorian Branch. But, why is she a worthy recipient of the Leila St John Award?
Well, according to the reasons outlined on the nomination form, Nell Bell is defined by her generosity of spirit and her love for children, beginning her contribution to children's literature in the 1940s when, as Assistant Matron of Ashfield Foundlings Home in Sydney, she introduced the first story time for 3–5 year olds. This story time became a regular session run by Nell. Nell's interest in stories led her to further training in that area and in 1975 while working as a librarian at Preston East Technical School she taught Introduction to History of Literature and Books. In the same year she toured schools and libraries in China as part of an education program. After qualifying for her Secondary Teachers Certificate the following year Nell went on to start a Children's Book Club and introduced students to literature via storytelling in the class room. She also published an article--The Importance of Oral Literature—in the Education Department magazine. In the 1980s, Nell obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Children's Literature at Melbourne University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Children's Literature at Toorak Teachers' College. As Librarian in Charge at Templestowe Technical School Nell was part of a program that taught Understanding Literature to Year 11 & 12 students. By now Nell had realized her passion for oral storytelling and was included in a group of Artists in Education sponsored by the Australian Federal Government and the JF Kennedy Cultural Centre in Washington sent to America in 1988 as representatives of Australia. Nell's focus was the use of oral literature in secondary schools and universities. Back in Australia, Nell conducted seminars in regional universities for mothers of new-born babies on the importance of literature and stories. Nell was the first storyteller to perform at Dromkeen and has been Artist in Residence introducing students to literature via storytelling at Methodist Ladies College, Richmond Girls High School and Presbyterian Ladies College. She has been a member of the Victorian Branch of the Children's Book Council and the Victorian Committee for UNICEF. In 1995 Nell took a major role in developing students' skills for performances at St Martins, South Melbourne as part of AEDIS (Artists and Environment designers in Schools). Later that year Nell's storytelling skills won her an invitation to participate in the launch of Children's Week at National Gallery of Victoria. Nell has always been quick to volunteer her services as a storyteller for the free children's concerts at national Australian storytelling conferences and has also volunteered her services as a storyteller at Camp Quality and the Children's Hospital in Melbourne and the Radio of the Air School in the Northern Territory. All of that and more is why Nell Bell is a worthy recipient of the Leila St John Award. So sorry to hear the news of Lynne Kosky's death at the age of 56. Too young. Was privileged to meet her at a Libraries for Timor Leste fundraiser at Melbourne University, May(?) 2011. RIP
Storytelling Australia Victoria (SAV) was successful in funding applications to the City of Melbourne for our project Words on the Wind.
Words on the Wind is a series of free storytelling shows at the new Library at the Dock, running from July through to December 2014. Eight storytellers from Storytelling Australia Victoria have crafted six compelling tales to reflect their relationship to this part of Melbourne’s Docklands. On the 16th of October it was my turn, a date that conincided with the death of my brother in Balibbo East Timor and 12 days after my darling mum died. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Check out the Ghost of St KIlda Beach and scroll down for my short film about the Painters and Dockers. For my show, Crossing the River at the Library at The Dock 16th October 2014, I took advntage of it's state of the art facilities to present a little story about Painters and Dockers, Nelson Mandela in Melbourne and my brother Paulie Stewart Painters and Dockers from Anne E Stewart on Vimeo. Photos courtesy of Tim Burder Cabaret Burlesque at The Grande
with Bliss Bombs Friday 7 November If you missed them at Words in Winter's sell out opening night be sure to catch Bliss Bombs in their new Cabaret Burlesque Show at The Grande Featuring the lurid tale of Lola Montez, darling of Europe, showgirl, adventuress and lover of kings and poets. Find out what happened when she arrived in Ballarat for her tour of the Goldfields. With storyteller extraordinaire, Anne E Stewart and show girls. Bliss Bombs present tongue-in-cheeky song and dance from the queens of tease, Bella Puckerlips, Cherry Flambe, Fifi Malteser, Hullaba Lulu, Ivy Poision, and more. Drinks from 7pm Show starts 8pm $10 Entry (over 18) Bookings Essential: 03 5348 1978 or manager@thegrandehotel.com.au The Grande Hotel, 1 Church Ave, Hepburn Springs (off 9th Street). www.thegrandehotel.com.au
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