2010 Local Government Cultural Awards

The NSW Local Government Cultural Awards celebrate the cultural success of councils across the State. Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery (LMG) has entered its popular and successful ‘Volunteering for life-long learning’ program under the People’s Choice Award category. The LMG's unique, dynamic and responsive volunteer program gives Hurstville City residents the opportunity to develop new skills, experience on-the-job training, and socialise with staff and volunteers.

The project to receive the largest percentage of votes per local government area population will win this award. This is your chance to congratulate your LMG for enriching the Hurstville community and providing a wealth of cultural opportunities for residents.
You can cast your vote for the LMG with the click of a button!

How To Vote

1. Go to the Cultural Awards website and visit the page for the Hurstville LMG project Volunteering for life-long learning
2. Click on the "Vote for this project" link at the top right of the page
3. Follow the instructions to confirm your vote.

DVD's & CD's coming soon

There are lots of new and exciting DVD titles and music CD's coming soon to Hurstville Library. A fabulous mixture of old and new titles free to all members of Hurstville Library.

DVD's

1. Waterfront:
   A classic Australian Drama. Logie Award for Best Actor and Best Actress. Starring Jack Thompson, Great Scacchi, Warren Mitchell and Noni Hazelhurst.
   
2. Angels & Demons:
   A prequel to "The DaVinci Code", Ron Howard film starring Tom Hanks.
   
3. French & Saunders Big Live:
   This is your last chance to watch French & Saunders final ever sell-out Still Alive tour on DVD.
   
4. The Rockwiz Duets: Volume III, The Beat Goes On.

CD's

1. Frank Sinatra: Sinatra At the Movies
   
2. Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest
   
3. Robbie Williams: Reality Killed The Video Star
   
4. Putumayo Presents Jazz Around The World
   

Sydney needs snow

Recently a couple of us returned from trips to Canada. Myself from Vancouver and my colleague from cold Calgary. Going from snow with zero humidity to a wet, hot and sticky summer in Sydney is not fun.

Considering the video above I know what climate I would rather be in... but I guess most people in Australia like summer over winter. I often wonder how lovely a few days of snow would be in Sydney.

Oh and naturally we have ordered the album that features the song in the above video. Vampire Weekend - Contra so you can borrow it for free.

10 reasons why you should read Dragonfiles

You may have spotted a copy of Dragonfiles while balancing a bundle of Cormac McCarthy novels. The magazine is packed with articles on services, events, programs and collections of Hurstville City Council and Hurstville City Library Museum & Gallery. Here are 10 reasons why I reckon you should pick up a copy:

1. It's FREE

2. Awesome graphic design (which means you can pass on your copy of MX)
3. Quality articles/content - never, ever boring. Our articles can be read in English and Chinese.

4. You'll find something to see or do - get off the box and drop in to the Museum & Gallery - there's always an exhibition to keep your eyes moving, mind racing

5. Kids Corner - loads of childrens activities are listed so you'll never hear "I'm bored" again

6. Learn a new skill - our events calender often includes small sized classes where you can a pick up a specific skill, like beginner computers

7. New items added to the collection - discover what books, magazines, DVDs have been added to the library collection

8. Self service - there are things you can do yourself as a member of Hurstville City Library. In this month's issue, we take you through Member's Zone. This service allows you to log in to your own record to renew and reserve loans and check library fines.

9. 100% recycled paper - printed on recycled paper = smells good, feels good, and is good for the environment

10. Libraries & Museums boring? - What the?! pick up your copy of Dragonfiles at either Hurstville or Penshurst Libraries, or the Museum & Gallery and tells us what you think today!

Beat the queue - borrow items yourself

So, you're at Hurstville City Library. There's a long queue at the Loans Desk, you've got a few items to borrow and your friends are waiting outside. Why not give our self checker a go? The machine allows you to check out library items to yourself. It's really easy to use and you'll even get a slip listing all the items you've borrowed. Drop in to the library and test it out for yourself. Don't worry if you get stuck; just ask one of our friendly staff to give you a demonstration.

Dangerous Dreams Discovered!

Visitors to Hurstville City Museum & Gallery last Saturday night discovered some very dangerous dreams indeed!

Saturday the 6th of February was the official opening of Beric Henderson's Dangerous Dreams exhibition which featured over a decade of art noir paintings accompanied by sculptures created by Elva Henderson and her students.

And what an incredible event it was. We were a little concerned the weather forecast would keep people at home however we were not disappointed, as more than 80 people turned up for what was truly a wonderful night.

The beautiful sounds of the Morrison Trio created a comforting atmosphere for visitors to explore the dangerous situations captured in Beric Henderson's paintings or the lighter side of the imagination revealed in Elva's ceramic works of art.

Visitors who dared to delve into the artworks before them, found themselves identifying with the situations presented to them in Beric's paintings. Paintings that depict people falling to their death, being followed by a dark and mysterious stranger or being trapped in a maze. Whilst these are not everyday experiences most of us have had similar 'dangerous dreams'.

Come and encounter the world of Beric Henderson's Dangerous Dreams for yourself at the Museum & Gallery.

Dangerous Dreams Exhibition

Saturday's the opening of the new exhibition at Hurstville Museum and Gallery - Dangerous Dreams.

Dangerous dreams is an exhibition of crazed clowns, suspicious hitchhikers, mysterious sideshows and other surreal imaginings celebrating a decade of art noir by artist Beric Henderson. Ceramic sculptures by Elva Henderson and St George Creative Arts students also feature in the exhibition exploring the role of dreams in fuelling our imagination.

Official Opening: Saturday February 6 2010 5.00pm
Exhibition: February 6 – March 27 2010

Museum & Gallery opening hours:
Tues – Thurs 10.00am – 4.00pm
First & Fourth Saturday of the month 10.00am – 3.00pm



Come and have a look around!