Ant's Redgum Gallery

My place in time #36 - One kilometre from my house


I am ashamed to say, this is one of those place that I really should have been to, way before now. It is usually the places that we see everyday, the local attractions, that we should support, but don't.

I am so glad I got myself off the couch and went to have a look.

Ant's Redgum Gallery is situated on Williams Road in Millicent. I was interested to find out the building originally started life as an engineering shed, owned by the McCourt family. It was then home to a roller skating rink and squash courts. I can't remember this, but I do remember when it was Bondy's second hand bazaar, that's what I would have called it. After Bondy died, the building was bought by a local business woman and used as a place of business and held markets on a Sunday.

Ant and Hat Martin now own it and have made it their home, studio and gallery.

His work is phenomenal and has taken him to Adelaide to do commissioned works on three occasions. He has carved wood sculptures made from old trees, in Brighton, Victoria Square and the Glover playground in North Adelaide. A real achievement. The all have plaques with his name, and he proudly says you don't get them unless "you're really good or dead!".

He's just really good at what he does. I was blown away by Ant's wood work and the detailed work that he does.

I learnt something about feng shui, and this frog is supposed to have three legs. His name is Jin Chan, and is supposed to bring fortune. Hat says it's not working for them yet, as they would love to have more visitors to the gallery.

Here Ant is putting the finishing touches on his latest piece, The Lion. It is just amazing to think that this was just a huge tree trunk to start with.

Passing time

While I had new tyres put on my car Monday, the girls and I passed the time just around the corner, checking out the Mount Gambier Cave Gardens and the library. 

Trips to the Mount usually only consist of shopping, not checking out the sights. It was the first time I had taken the girls to have a look at either places, they loved exploring and discovering.

These were the only locks, maybe the start of something?

The water comes from the street, runoff from the rain. Quite clever really.
This cave is right smack bang in the middle of the city.

"Memories in a suitcase", signifies the contribution of migrants to the Mt Gambier community

My place in time #2 - A mode of Transport

The library has a fantastic childrens area in the theme of underground caves. The area around Mt Gambier has many caves that divers come from everywhere to explore.

Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on the left, library on the right.

My place in time #58 - A concert or show poster
Free coffee and donuts!!

Sculptures of Beachport SA

A sculpture

My place in time #32

I took the kids for a drive to Beachport, Tuesday of last week. I needed a drive, or needed to strap the kids in their seats, turn on the radio and just drive. It always seems to do the trick. 

We spent an hour at the playground, luckily it didn't rain, but it was windy as, so we didn't worry about taking our buckets to the beach. A stroll down the beach, digging, collecting; would have been awesome. Next time. 

It's been awhile since we've been in Beachport. I spotted a sculpture tied to a couple of posts out the front of Bompas, one of the fine local establishments. I'm not sure how long it's been here, maybe I have seen her before and hadn't really taken too much notice. 

She looks right at home, carefree, riding her bike along the foreshore streets of the sleepy seaside town. She could also just as well fit in when Beachport is bursting at the seems with holiday makers, bringing their bikes on the back of vans and cars for leisurely rides on sunny days.

'My place in time' is a local history project started by Blackcurrant photography