The Green Bus: Andrew Chapman's 55-year photographic journey through the streets of Melbourne.

This delightful exhibition at CIty Gallery, Melbourne Town Hall features 55 photographs of Melbourne, from 1971 to today.

They tell the social history and community life in Melbourne's city streets and public places through the constant & discerning eye of photographer / curator Andrew Chapman,

The exhibition runs 3 September 2026 - 19 February 2027. There are free guided tours and a wonderful small, free catalogue. It's a beautifully designed exhibition too - the work of Stephen Banham. The City Gallery entrance is in Swanston Street, through the Customer Service area. It's a small gem well worth a trip to Melbourne for its always interesting exhibitions.

Andrew Chapman and Philip Quirk, are both alumni of Prahran College photography department - a key, creative training ground in the 1970s & 80s, for many of Australia's significant photographer / artists. Phil & Andrew were interviewed 4 September 2026. As it was unplanned, and in the exhibition space, the sound varies and an interview with the City Gallery Registrar had to be omitted due to too much background sound. I hope to do further interviews later this year.

Interview & production: Merle Hathaway

Lorena Carrington talks about her work as an illustrator and writer, mainly in the genre of fantasy and fairytales for children, young adults and adults.

Based in regional Victoria, she now has 16 books for which she's designed, often using collaged photographic images.

Her most recent book is "A Puzzling Pursuit", which combines a murder mystery with puzzles, taking us on a journey to all sorts of sites across Australia.

In Ballarat, you can find her books at the Lydiard Street Collins Bookstore, and her website contains teachers notes, and intriguing glimpse into her latest puzzle book, and links to purchase. Facebook

Instagram

Interviewed 5 September 2026 by Merle Hathaway

Production: Merle Hathaway

Amanda Western has quickly risen to prominence in the arts. Here she talks about her growing interest in immersive installations, after an initial focus on linocuts. Her work reflects her deep interest in the environment and history.

She collaborated with Deborah Parkinson in the current collaborative Infuse Art Prize at Ross Creek Art Gallery until 30 August.

Now she is working towards a complex project, Red Bricks, at the East Loddon Woolshed, Serpentine. It's part of the 2026 Loddon Valley Arts Trail. Here's links to Red Brinks and to book a seat on the bus leaving Ballarat at 9am, Sunday 4 October.Tickets to Red Bricks: https://events.humanitix.com/red-bricks-what-the-woolshed-remembers

Tickets to bus tour (includes Red Bricks entry): https://events.humanitix.com/red-bricks-ballarat-day-tour

Links here to her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Interview & production:: Merle Hathaway 25 August 2026

Ceramicists Julie Burleigh and Pegs Marlow talk about collaborating for the Ross Creek Gallery's Infuse Art Prize. Although they've known each other for years, this is the first time they've worked together to create one artwork.

The result is a delightful miniature of the Ross Creek Art Gallery with an exhibition being installed. (You can get an idea of the size of the work by the photo of Julie peering through one of the windows.) More images are here.

The Infuse Art Prize and Peter Pilven Ceramic Award is on at Ross Creek Gallery until 30 August 2026.

Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 7 August 2026

Production by Merle Hathaway

The Infuse Art Prize is showing at Ross Creek Gallery until 30 August 2026. This is an annual prize for collaborations between artists. Thirty finalists were selected by a panel, with Dr Deanne Gilson judging the $3,000 Infuse Art Prize, and the $1,000 Peter Pilven Collaborative Ceramics Award. Merle Hathaway talks here to Seona Murnane and Marg Jeffery about their charcoal, pastel & graphite on wood panels. See their work here on Facebook.

Winner of the Infuse Art Prize: Pauline Doren, Nick Doran-Adams & Ross Adams.

Winner of the Peter Pilven Prize: Camille Ducret & Jerome Moreau

Interviewed by Merle Hathaway

Produced by Alan Mallows and Merle Hathaway

Beth Lamont is the General Manager of BPAC. This is an adventurous project to purchase four buildings from the former Neil Street Uniting Church in Soldiers Hill, Ballarat. The two halls and church offer a variety of performance, rehearsal and meeting spaces for arts groups. Already many groups are based there and their performance programme is lively and varied.

Facebook

Website

Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 30 July 2026

Production by Alan Mallows

Sylvia Hollis modestly says she "just makes art". As with so many artists, she draws and makes exquisite small sculptures of nudes. She also organises life drawing classes at Sebastopol Community Centre and teaches art for correctional services.

Regular life drawing and modelling informs an art practice that focuses on the nude figure, psychologically enhanced to deter objectification. See her works in progress and drawings on Facebook and Instagram.

Interview by Merle Hathaway 29 July 2026

Production by Alan Mallows

Julia Howe is a young artist whose work is currently showing at Ballarat Art Space. “Chronic” is an exhibition exploring chronic pain using a variety of media - photography, painting, sculpture and animation screen work. This year she graduated from PSC (Photography Studies College) and also works as a graphic designer

Interviewer: Merle Hathaway

Production: Alan Mallows

Geoffrey D'Ombrain, composer, musician, music educator, at 95 years of age talks about his long career in music and his current projects.

You can see & hear some of his music for contemporary dance here -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qsYe90hG2pm5ZZuyLj1Qw

And to get an idea of a score -

https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/work/d-ombrain-geoffrey-under-the-trees

Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 29 June 2026

Production by Alan Mallows

Prof Richard Chew is Director of the Arts Academy of Federation University, Ballarat. A graduate of the Royal College of of Music - International Opera School, he is also a performer (pianist) and composer, writing music for opera, theatre, film and for his trio, Inscape. He talks here about his life-long passion for music and working with the Performing Arts Students of Federation University.

Interviewer: Merle Hathaway, 19 June 2026

Producer: Alan Mallows