Blogs from Victoria, Australia, Oceania - page 644

20 July 2003 It was eleven-thirty in the morning and time to leave for my trip to Wodonga. I have been to this town, which lies just south of the border between New South Wales and Victoria. I usually stay at a Best Western motel. This time the company had booked accommodation in a Budget motel. I have stayed in many establishments since I started with this company, way back in March 1999 and must say I don't usually get upset if the rooms are pretty basic but that often occurs when there is no choice of a better motel in town. Not so in Wodonga! To save the company money I also have to share the room with the photographer I will be working with the next day. 21-23 July 2003 My co-worker and I ... read more

15 July 2003 After my morning session in Melbourne I started my drive to the Victorian country town of Camperdown. Joined the freeway at Blackburn Road and followed it all the way into the city, through the Balmain Tunnel and over the West Gate Bridge. I was still on the Princess Highway when Geelong came into sight. About an hour later I arrived at the pre-booked Budget motel. The lady at the reception started up a lengthy conversation about children and we only stopped talking when her phone rang. There was a light rain falling as I unpacked my car. Two friendly dogs turned up. One with a Frisbee and he kept me busy returning the object every time I sent it flying across the lawn. Evening meal at the local pub and then an early ... read more

11 September 2002 For most of August I didn’t take any photographs in Kindergartens or Daycare Centres, instead I was working for another photographer. He had commissioned me to get group photos of school bands, after they played on stage at Monash University. It was a welcome break from the stress of getting the required number of photos of children in a limited time span. Instead I watched the school orchestras play for about thirty minutes. For about fifteen minutes an adjudicators would get up on stage with the children and help improve their performance. At the end of that it was my turn. From the balcony I would instruct the students to arrange their chairs so everybody could be seen. With all eyes looking up to my position, two shots were taken. I would thank ... read more

16 June 2003 From time to time I find myself in a town that I have not visited before and that’s good. On the other hand because I have been with this company so many years its inevitable, return trips to areas are becoming more normal. The first year is great because I can explore places of interest. Some are worth a return visit but most are not. Once the morning session is finished, I find myself in front of the TV and believe me there is little that interest me there. I still enjoy travelling to these country towns and sometimes stop to capture on film part of country life. On this trip to Kyabram I passed an old deserted hotel near the town of Murchison and got some good shots before getting on with ... read more

After the last 3 months travelling on the Oz experience Bus along the east coast we caught a flight down to Melbourne in oder to replenish our battered bank accounts. Even though i am on holiday i feel a sense of holiday blues. the east of Australia is one of the best areas i have ever travelled and i have had an amazing 3 months doing it. Melbourne seems nice though, abit chilly compared to Cairns. I like the trams.... I arrived in my thongs and shorts from 33oC Cairns to 4oC Mebourne: not a wise thing to do. Now living on the Esplanade in St. Kilda. right on the beach, average looking beach but i am told the place really comes alive in the Aussie summer. I a staying here for 6 months and really ... read more