Great excitement is being generated by the forthcoming stage production from Centenary Theatre Group featuring the famous crime duo Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Script by Jeffrey Hatcher. Directed by Gary Kliger. Audition time: 10am Saturday 23rd August 2025 Place: Cnr Queenscroft and Halsbury Streets, Chelmer, Brisbane, Queensland Australia.
SYNOPSIS QUOTE: The world is shocked! The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis Moriarty are dead, locked in combat, both falling into the treacherous Reichenbach Falls. Holmes is dead — but is he? Dr Evan’s who runs an asylum on an island, a desolate location, has in his care three men who each claim to be the real Sherlock Holmes. Who can work out which of them is the real Holmes? Who else but Dr Watson. Surely Holmes’ best friend and confidant?
AND: That’s just the start! This is a twisty, teasing romp, designed to baffle and entertain in equal measure. Come and be part of the theatre fun!
CAST REQUIRED: Dr Evans – age open though probably best 30s to 50s. Dr Watson – age open though same range suggested as for Evans. Orderly at the asylum – age range the same. Matron/The woman doubling up role – age open dazzle us. Holmes 1 tall, thin, sharp featured classic Holmes. Holmes 2 same as H1 but with long hair, moustache and beard. Holmes 3 same as H1 but shaved head, pale face, glazed look. The Inspector’s age is open and may double with a Holmes depending upon timing and costuming. The Client wears a mask/doubles with Moriarty. Moriarty age open seen in flashbacks.
STAGE NOTE: There is fight scene choreography needed so anyone with stage combat skills come and make yourself known! This is an escapade of the most exhilarating kind, perfect as the CTG end of year production. They cannot wait to have you be a part of it! So don’t forget Chelmer auditions 10am Saturday 23rd August 2025.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Holmes & Watson audition details received from Centenary Theatre Group Inc, Queenscroft and Halsbury Streets, Chelmer, QLD 4068 Australia. Sign up to get their opening night news direct. https://centenarytheatre.com.au/faqs/
I will certainly book tickets when the box office opens. 💗 Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2025
TRIVIA FACT With cyclones being named alphabetically, Anthony was originally the next name to be used starting with A, but the BOM decided to switch to Alfred to avoid any association or confusion with the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The building in my photograph, with the two people either cleaning or repairing the clock tower, are on the Ann Street side of the Roma Street railway station in Brisbane. These intrepid workers could see a view across ANZAC Square to the General Post Office which denotes the centre of the city. Officially the station area is known as Brisbane Passenger Station, Brisbane Terminal Station, and Brisbane Terminus yet, surprisingly, on the main façade at the Ann Street entry level there is an art deco-style sign proclaiming ‘Central Station’ and that is what the majority of commuters name it.
The train platforms can be accessed a number of ways but I guess these intrepid workers either came from inside the clock tower or climbed up it. The BCC bus sign seems to have spotted them but the commuters below failed to see what was unfolding. The two workers were untangling their ropes!
My bus came and I will never know what transpired that day.
💗 Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2025
On theme, this steam roller is different but of the same era. Queen’s Park, Toowoomba, Queensland.
The collapse and total closure of the entire Mosaic Brands portfolio means almost 4000 jobs were lost and more than 700 retail clothing stores were shut down across Australia.
My intrepid photographer snapped this group of store mannequins caught totally unawares by the mass shutdown.
The models were photographed queuing at the front counter of a closed fashion store at Mount Ommaney in Brisbane, Australia, stoically waiting for their redundancy pay-out and perhaps some recognition for their years of silent service.
All gone in the blink of an eye!
Clothing brands you knew and loved, fashion brands you grew up with, stylish outfits that got you dressed for a party, your first job, your first date, a fun weekend and lots of occasions inbetween; not forgetting those sales assistants who knew their products, actually assisted you in choosing the right outfit for the right occasion.
The following twelve questions relate to the possibility of starting up a new crime and mystery readers book group here in Brisbane. I have attended many book clubs (reading a variety of genres) but never instigated one. Consequently my behind-the-scenes questions are numerous:
Venue
Time duration
Shared co-ordinator roles
Promoting new Book Group
Number of members – in person
Contacting/accepting members
How to choose crime and mystery books
Each reviewer/speaker timed length
Author talks
Guest speakers
Crime book swaps
Coffee afterwards…
More could be included and it all seems straight forward when written down. Members of the current U3A Brisbane book readers group are all very cordial and polite even when we disagree on the topic and/or the chosen book.
There is tonnes of information online but how to tailor one for the conditions, for example– Book source/transport/accessibility? Coffee shop/library/private home? Drop me a line in my Contact.
At this stage a new book group could possibly be under the auspices of U3A Brisbane or independently in a Brisbane City Council Library. As mentioned I am only tossing around ideas, nothing official yet, or as my old boss used to say ‘Nothing carved in stone’ so flexibility is the key. Research time!
Happy reading whatever your preferred genre, format or comfortable chair.
The Centenary Theatre Group, a company based in Chelmer, Brisbane, has made an official announcement calling for actors to fill roles in Agatha Christie’s inimitable stage production of ‘Verdict’ with opening night in November 2024. You may like Agatha Christie novels, or perhaps keen to tread the boards with this seasoned amateur group, read on—
SYNOPSIS Karl Hendryk, a brilliant professor who, with his wife and her cousin, have fled persecution in their homeland to find themselves ensconced in London. This stage play revolves around human experience and relationships. ‘It satisfied me completely. I still think it is the best play I have written with the exception of Witness for the Prosecution,’ said Agatha Christie.
AUDITION For Centenary Theatre Group PRODUCTION OF ‘VERDICT’ by Agatha Christie (opening November 2024) TIME & DATE: 2.00PM SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2024 LOCATION: CHELMER COMMUNITY HALL, 15 QUEENSCROFT STREET, CHELMER, BRISBANE. GOOGLEhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/GPWBBYnpwgjcncKS7
‘Verdict’ Written by Agatha Christie Directed by David Bell ‘Verdict’ is a 1958 stage play by British mystery writer Agatha Christie. It is unusual from other Agatha Christie plays: it is an original not based on a story or novel and, although there is a murder, it is more than a typical ‘whodunnit’ mystery.
CAST REQUIRED Lester Cole 25 years old. Mrs Roper 40 years old plus, gruff and rude. Lisa Koletzky Early 30’s, attractive. Professor Karl Hendryk 45 and handsome (German accent). Anya Hendryk 38, invalided in wheelchair and Karl’s wife (German accent). Dr Stone 60 years old and a typical family doctor. Helen Rollander age 23 and beautiful. Sir William Rollander middle age, tall and Helen’s father. Detective Inspector Ogden 40’s and pleasant nature. Police Sergeant Pearce sergeant’s age open, mid-thirties plus. NOTE All cast need to be proficient in English accents.
SETTING This 2-act play will be set in the year it was written – 1958. ‘Verdict’ is one of only a few Christie plays written directly for the stage and not adapted from another story. It originally opened at Strand Theatre in West End, London, May 1958.
“Hands up all the blog writers who wrote about their experiences of living through Covid-19 and its aftermath. Okay, I will join your ranks and become one of those adding something to world history with a personal experience; of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent.”
During the time of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, Angela and her daughter Jenny decided they would go for a walk every evening. Just a short one around a block or two, maybe across the park to upset the plovers in the damp grass, then home again. A walk was especially invigorating during the colder months of August in Brisbane. It got them out of the house, away from the air-con heating, into the refreshing chill of the cool night air. They donned jackets and beanies and shoved gloves in their pockets just in case of light rain. The suburban streets were deserted yet the night was infused with noise, the dull murmur of a distant highway, the sound of birds settling in to roost, a possum scuttling across a rooftop, the whoosh-whoop of fruit bat wings as they scoped out a mulberry tree or date palm and then crash-landed into the foliage. Owls were heard but never seen, unlike car drivers who appeared to have lost all concept of care and responsibility, arbitrarily speeding through red traffic lights because the streets were empty. However, while joggers, scooters, dog owners and their canines were tucked up in front of their preferred screens, a full moon would rise and cats would prowl under its glow. It was not unusual for a feline to stroll across the street to check out the two interlopers, then perhaps allowing Angela the occasional stroke of neck fur or chin scratch. These nightly walks offered the duo some unusual sights, the least of which was the activity of a darkened 4WD vehicle continually cruising up and down various back streets. Were they lost, were they scoping out burglary opportunities, or is that impugning a parent teaching their teenager to drive?
Many homes had their living room curtains open so it was easy to see their televisions, replaying the gloomy news over and over again as the fatality statistics grew more and more alarming each night. Often cooking smells hung in the air or the tang of eucalypt competing with the pall of grey smoke left over from backyard firepits, an ill-advised council initiative. Angela was glad her face mask filtered the worst of it. One night they took a different route and Jenny was chastised for impulsively, recklessly walking down the middle of a major suburban road just because she could. Not a delivery van, ambulance or person in sight, only rows and rows of parked cars and houses with twinkling fairy lights strung around trees and across balconies and down driveways. They saw unloved little street libraries, a ghost bus lit up but without passengers, and even a large picture frame hanging high up a jacaranda tree. There was a trend among real estate agents to put either cheery red bows or teddy bears on their For Sale signs. Unfortunately the follow-up maintenance was non-existent so, after rain, ribbons of blood-red dye ran down the advertisements and the poor teddy bears were soaked, left to dangle in macabre poses of decomposition. Indirectly a gloomy statement of that period in history. It always felt nice to return home.
This 1908 poem extract from William Blocksidge captures the mood.
“And, interspersed among the spangled sheen, Looks out in differing shades the darkened green— A background whereupon, in outline bold, Stands the rich mintage, silver mixed with gold.”
For all its floridness, this poem is quite cutting and the topics are quite revealing. Our modern sensibilities tend to forget the trials and trauma of establishing a town in a new land. Not to mention the brutality towards convict labour and the rightful Indigenous population. Interestingly this is the year the Victorian Government passed the Adult Suffrage Bill 1908 granting female suffrage for the first time. Women’s suffrage is the right of women to vote in elections. Australia was the first nation in the world to grant women these dual rights.
For those keenly interested in the entire version of this past century’s rather long yet insightful poem from a man whose real estate family is well-known in Brisbane, Queensland, below is a copy from AIC for your reading pleasure. Strong billy tea is recommended with damper and golden syrup if you have it handy.
Brisbane, thou art a city of the sun, A forest queen, a sea-nymph, joined in one! Here Summer loves to spin her lengthened rule, While Winter’s care is but the earth to cool; Here golden wealth, from many a distant plain, Is piled in ships, to swim the billowy main — Here Commerce floods the tides, and minions toil To prove the measure of her mounting spoil!
How often, perched above the hilly bounds That wrap thee as a nest its brood surrounds, Wooing the wind that bears the ocean’s breath, And many a tale to such as listeneth — How often have I lovingly surveyed The scene before my wondering gaze displayed — The lengthening spires, that point the lofty way While yet the soul is idling in its clay; The spacious pile that lifts its stately head; The winding river, to its lover wed; The hills that rise above to kiss the sky; The valleys that within their shadows lie; The shipping crowding on the silver stream; The living threads that through the mazes teem!
And when soft Night, in sable vestment gown’d, Has wrapped her stole thy tranquil form around, ’Tis then, in panoramic splendour viewed, Thou’d be by fond Imagination wooed; For then, fair Brisbane, when thy fading bowers, Tipped with their beacons, turn to fairy towers, Thy beauty scorns the bounds of words, for dumb Are these, and ’neath the burden soon succumb! Now myriad lamps, upon its margin’s crest, With gleaming pennons light the river’s breast; And where the city’s constellation lies The glimmering haze ascends to gild the skies. The villas blazing on the craggy hills Augment the golden flood the night that fills; The bridge displays, above the Garden Bend, Its fiery lines, that in the cluster blend.
And, interspersed among the spangled sheen, Looks out in differing shades the darkened green — A background whereupon, in outline bold, Stands the rich mintage, silver mixed with gold. Now sound (for Night has giv’n the magic key) The pregnant chords of heavenly harmony; And softly floats across, in mingling rhyme, The mellowing cadence of the pealing chime — Such tones as wake the soul’s celestial lyre When pensive memories the theme inspire; And, each with each in concord blending true, With holy rapture flood the heart anew.
Ah, was it but a century ago When thou did’st in the womb of earth lie low, And yet unborn to bear the shame of men, And, rising, throw the burden off again? — When down the hollow gale, that trembling fled, At dusk and dawn, the wailing for the dead In eerie numbers woke the echoes weird, Till, floating down the vale, it disappeared? And was it where those stately buildings stand, Where lofty Art displays her lavish hand, That plenteous game before the huntsmen sped? Or down the maze the dusky dancer led? That round the turrwan, with his magic stone, The sick revived by simple faith alone; Or, failing this, full-toothsome morsels made To tempt their brothers to the festal shade?
Ah, yes, those primal scenes, with plenty crown’d, Made all the wooded valley hallowed ground, Till came the time — ill-omened, true, for them — When, first by truce and then by stratagem, The settlement unfolded in the vale, ’Neath Logan’s iron rule to fret and quail!
What curses now the trembling wretches spend As ’neath the blows their bleeding bodies bend — As, shackled to the rude triangle’s lines, The gory flood th’ adjoining ground defines! I seem to hear again the clanking chain, The creaking treadmill grinding small the grain; And see the convict turn the stubborn clod, Or, ’neath the pine, the sluggard bear the rod.
But why dilate? Those cruel days are done: Time’s ceaseless round has blotted every one: A fairer scene now meets the favoured eye — Thou, smiling city, ’neath my gaze dost lie. What though land-hungry Gipps thought passing fit To cripple where he lacked improving wit! Among the first of Austral fair will stand The one disfigured by his vandal hand!
And while the ages roll their waning round, Till earth’s but mortal mould the shades confound, May Plenty’s best thine every call attend, And smiling Peace her priceless treasure lend! May noble sons thy benison e’er bless, And daughters fair thy tender claims confess; And thus may every tongue conspire to name Thee and thine offspring heirs to Honour’s fame!
Hope you made it this far. William touched on a nerve, quite the fascinating poet. ❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2024
The Turrbal and Yuggera peoples have lived in the Brisbane area for more than 32,000 years and their ancestors go back more than 60,000 years. The Turrbal and Jagera people speak Yuggera and their name for Brisbane is Meanjin. Written on Sunday 26th May 2024 National Sorry Day
An intriguing and unsettling read from author J. P. Powell who has again fluently merged wartime fact and fiction to create an absorbing exposé of what could have happened (and may have happened) in the 1940s town of Brisbane, Queensland, during WWII. There’s American involvement in a number of events. Major deals were occurring related to underworld crime, unexplained deaths, and a range of illicit activities from several nationalities.
‘Deception Bay’ is the second volume which follows American investigator MP Joe Washington as he tries to solve a mystery death. Inevitably he locks horns for a second time with corrupt adversary Brisbane detective Frank Bischof, who by the way was a real person.
Powell creates characters who are believable, they come alive, and Joe’s Aussie love interest Rose McAlister reminds me of my favourite aunt who served in WAAAF. Maybe he’s softened by romance but Joe Washington’s life is made of duty, it rules him, a man on a mission to solve an alleged suicide drowning—with very little to go on.
The book ‘Deception Bay’ (Deception Bay is near Brisbane) is fascinating reading and I enjoyed the addition of old buildings I know and how they were appropriated for the war effort. I love chapter 10 and Cintra House with its fine views and the discussion about Radiophone sending photographs over a new wireless invention.
A world at war, full of deception and conmen, at a time when the infrastructure of Brisbane was weak enough to allow underworld manipulation. Mates covering for mates, paedophilia, dodgy business dealings, and illegal enterprises which flourished unchecked. Sure, the authorities knew what was going on but nobody seemed to have the courage to stamp it out; what’s the odd skirmish or tattoo? The American servicemen were seen both as saviours and sinners by differing parts of society at the time. Joe faces a difficult task!
I purchased this book at Pulp Fiction Brisbane and feel there is a rhythmic flow to the story, a river city at a time of world war when I didn’t exist but nevertheless it has reached me.
Is our cartoon star Bluey from Brisbane (seen here in the suburb of Sherwood) living up to the Blue Heeler herding tag, or did the Ibis shout “Chasey! Bet I can beat you!” My money is on the Ibis because, unlike an Emu, the Ibis can fly.
The Australian White Ibis was once known as the Sacred Ibis but is sadly now often referred to as a “bin chicken, tip turkey or dumpster diver”. They tend to be opportunistic scavengers and can often be spotted at rubbish tips and in city parks. However, they are harmless to humans.
But first some facts on Bluey: Bluey is an Australian animated television series for school children which premiered on ABC Kids. The cartoon program was created by Joe Brumm and is produced by Queensland-based company Ludo Studio. The stories follow Bluey, an anthropomorphic six-year-old (later seven-year-old) Blue Heeler puppy who is characterised by her abundance of energy, imagination and curiosity about the world. The young dog lives with her father, Bandit, mother, Chilli, and her younger sister Bingo who regularly joins Bluey on adventures through imaginative play. Other characters featured each represent a different dog breed. Overarching themes include focus on family, growing up and Australian culture. Ostensibly for children, the program is watched by all age groups. Bluey was created and produced in Queensland and the capital city Brisbane inspires the show’s settings.
The Australian Museum website has White Ibis details but here’s some further reading—
The Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is a wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill, and black legs. While it is closely related to the African sacred ibis, the Australian white ibis is a native Australian bird. Contrary to urban myth, it is not a feral species introduced to Australia by people, and it does not come from Egypt.
Historically rare in urban areas, populations have disappeared from natural breeding areas such as the Macquarie Marshes in northern New South Wales and urban populations in Sydney. However, the Australian white ibis has established in urban areas of the east coast in increasing numbers since the late 1970s; it is now commonly seen in and around Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville. In recent years, the bird has also become increasingly common in Perth, Western Australia and surrounding towns. As yet it has not been sighted in Tasmania.
Aussies love a good nickname and, as mentioned, due to the Ibis increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, this protected species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as “bin chicken”. In recent years these birds have become an icon of Australia’s popular culture, regarded with glee by some and passionate dislike by others. I don’t hinder their Ibis lunch in the park and they (so far) don’t disrupt mine.
Thoughts Become Words 