Sydney Elders

It is a joyous exhibition of achievement that awaits those who take in Mervyn Bishop's exhibition of portraits of 'Sydney Elders' at the Australian Museum on College Street. An elder does not have to be old, rather a mentor with something to teach younger members of their tribe. Many of these elders are of the Eora tribe, but others are Gringai, or Bundjalung, or Wiradjuri, or Bidjigal, or Gamilaroi.

They emanate pride, and achievement, and solidity, character traits not usually associated with members of indigenous tribes within the greater Australian community. The character traits are most definitely there, just not concentrated upon as they are in Bishop's exhibit. All too often, we concentrate upon the negatives.

Mervyn Bishop's self-portrait is with bow-tie, in Aboriginal colours.

Beware the man who isn't there!

Two views of the stair-well in the southern wing of the Australian Museum on College Street.

This is my contribution to the Weekend in Black and White community.

Toss yer for it - heads or tails?

There is an old song which comes to mind

Shut the doors, they're comin' in the windows.
Shut the windows, they're comin' in the doors!
Fred Ebb & Paul Klein, mid '50s

This is hangin' out from the Australian Museum on College Street opposite Hyde Park South, advertising their Dinosaur Sleepover on 2nd September.

No kids without adults; no adults without kids. No more than 4 kids per adult. Bring yer own air bed and sleeping bag. And wheelbarrow filled with money!