News:

5th to 7th August 2011- CONVENTION NEWS

The 2011 Australasian Convention took place 5th to 7^th August at the Victoria Hotel in Melbourne.

Our party of 8 travelled over on the 4^th and we were all comfortably ensconced in time for a Thai banquet in the hotel restaurant.

The following day, with no obligations till the evening, we journeyed out to the Melbourne Museum to view the Tutankhamun  Exhibition. This was brilliantly displayed in a series of viewing halls in chronological order. The intricacy and beauty of the exhibits was breath-taking and viewing them took all of two hours.

In the evening, we all joined  the delegates from the Australian States to register and enjoy drinks and finger food. Victoria Branch provided us all with a goody bag of essentials including an impressive cloth table piece decorated with Ricardian emblems.

We then joined old friends, eleven in all, to find a suitable place for dinner. After some difficulty, being a large group, we succeeded in finding what was at first thought to be a Mexican Restaurant. This turned out to be jointly Japanese. The chilli sushi was delicious.

Saturday was a full day of presentations given by Ricardians and three guest speakers. The latter included practical talks on book binding, armour and heraldry. Ricardians spoke on the Dukes of Norfolk, Witchcraft, the Welsh Connection, Medieval Wall Painting, Justices in Richards’s time, and Medieval Holidays. The concluding presentation by Helen Portus assisted by Denise Rawling from NSW was a most thought- provoking talk on propaganda illustrated by both historical and modern examples. Helen voiced concern at the need for the Society to embrace modern social media methods and went on to present an 8min. DVD she had painstakingly compiled using photographs of Ricardian sites, statues, plaques etc. Devoid of commentary she had none the less used  suitable musical accompaniment  to demonstrate how a sympathetic portrayal could be accomplished. A really evocative work of art.

We then broke off to dress up for the Medieval Banquet. Time differences allowed some of the NZ contingent to gather to watch the All Blacks demolish the Wallabies. We spared our hosts’ embarrassment by saying little of the result. They all pretended ignorance in any case being, they said, followers of Aussie Rules!

The Banquet was served in three removes and was more than copious and delicious. Although the impressive chocolate subtlety had melted in the kitchen it still tasted fine! Entertainment comprised a display of dances by a local Hungarian youth group followed by two, gorgeously attired, belly dancers; very Ricardian!

The Sunday morning starred our own Betty Fleet speaking on William Marshall and the Marshall Curse and Annette Parry on Jasper Tudor. Both talks were very well received. After the break  Rob Smith NZ Branch Secretary,conducted a business session from which it was decided that the 2013 Convention will be held in Sydney.

The final presentations were by Hazel Hajdu, VIC, reading, “What If?” a hypothesis based on the consequences  of Richard defeating Tudor at Bosworth and concluded with renowned thespian, Julia Redlich, NSW, performing a short one- woman play on the observations of a loyal servant in Richard’s household during the weeks leading up to his coronation.

Our host, Michael Iliffe, then closed the Convention. Delegates were full of praise and voiced their appreciation of a very well- run event.

We then took lunch and said our farewells to those heading home.

Sunday night saw us bus out to renowned Lygon Street, for dinner. Each restaurant had touts fronting for business and many deals were offered. We settled for two free drinks and 25% off the bill and went Italian. It seemed all the restaurants were Italian so the ethnic choice was not too difficult.

The following day, Michael and wife Yvonne, were kind enough to take six of us for a drive to the Dandenongs, a delightful mountain area with quaint picnic spots and villages.  We took the opportunity to treat the Iliffes to lunch, a small token of gratitude for their hospitality.

Tuesday, our last night together, we dined at a neighbouring brewery cum restaurant. While some enjoyed crocodile, emu and camel others settled for fish and chips!

A very early start saw three of us catching the plane home. The others stayed on to visit friends.

Now we start saving for the 2013 Convention. A more congenial, understanding and tolerant group of friends could not be asked for. The opportunity to mix with Ricardians from other countries is a wonderful experience and is thoroughly recommended to all.

80th Birthday Celebrations. Betty Fleet.

 On 27th December,members joined with family and friends to help celebrate the 80th Birthday of our dearly loved member, Betty Fleet

A long serving member,along with her late husband, Alan, Betty is a keen Ricardian and a regular attendee and participant in the Biennial Australasian Convention. ( See photo, the petite lady in green !)

 LAST MEETING 4th December

A great talk on medieval jewellery by Sandra Gooley

NEXT MEETING 5th February

Annual picnic meeting at Rob Smith's Greytown Home commencing at Noon. Meat and Drink provided, members are invited to bring something to share.

1st April

Resource Centre, Lower Hutt commencing 2.00pm

Nominations, Submissions etc to Secretary by 16th September