Hackett’s 60th Birthday

In late October 2023, I entered four works in the Hackett Squares Artshow, part of Hackett’s 60^th Birthday celebrations. Hackett is a suburb in the inner north of Canberra, Australia below the slopes of Mt Majura. My personal connection to Hackett (first homes built in 1963) is that it is where I had my first home built (in 1964) and where I then lived from 1965 to 1993. My children attended the Hackett Primary School and participated in activities at St Margaret’s church.

Over the years Hackett has been regularly visited by kangaroos coming down from Mount Majura. These two visited and enjoyed the grounds of the Holy Cross/St Margaret’s churches one day when I was there. The original photograph has been framed by an abstract image of sunlit kangaroo fur.

Two Roos © Brian Rope

The Hackett Art & Craft Exhibition (HACE) was held annually from 1976-1990 in the Hackett Primary School hall, always attracting large numbers of exhibitors, visitors and buyers. It later was relocated to two other schools and continued until 2006. My work below portrays part of the exhibition in 1977. It was created by digitally colouring an original black & white photograph. Much more information about the HAE can be read at https://hackett.asn.au/hackett-art-and-craft-show/. There are also some of my photos on that webpage (including the original black & white image from which the colourised version below was created). I entered the photographic section of the HACE every year from 1977-1984, winning awards every year.

1977 HACE © Brian Rope

The HACE always attracted large numbers of exhibitors and numerous visitors/buyers. This work portrays two women passing by some 1977 batik exhibits. It was created by digitally colouring an original black & white photograph.

Batik Exhibits © Brian Rope

I was pleasantly surprised to take out First Prize in the Hackett Squares Artshow with this image:

Bird amongst Blossoms © Brian Rope

All entries had to be 30cm square in any medium (including photography). Entries also had to be inspired by Hackett (a Canberra suburb currently celebrating its 60th birthday) and had to be accompanied by a 50 words statement explaining how the entry linked to Hackett or to its community. The number of entries was small, so the competition was modest but, nevertheless, it was nice to win.

My submitted statement for my winning image not only outlined the connection to Hackett but also explained how the work was created: “Hackett is home to a diverse bird life. This one was enjoying the flowering cherry tree in the grounds of the Holy Cross/St Margaret’s churches. The original photograph has been processed to reduce the number of colours in it, then draw black lines on the edges of the image elements.”

As well as the artshow, there was a 60^th Birthday Party attended by large numbers of people – estimated by some to be 500. I spent some time at the party and captured a few images, including the following.

Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan welcomed everyone to country. © Brian Rope

Dorothy Mackenzie (a member of Holy Cross church) spoke of her experience as an early, and current, resident of Hackett. © Brian Rope

Alison Allen (a member of St Margaret’s church) also spoke of her experience as an early, and current, resident of Hackett. © Brian Rope

The Good Faith Choir (of St Margaret’s & Holy Cross churches in Hackett where the party was held) led the singing of happy birthday to Hackett then sang two other short pieces © Brian Rope

St Margaret’s church council chairman John Goss delivered pieces of the birthday cake to all who wanted some © Brian Rope

Rev Don Erickson, the first Minister of St Margaret’s (which started in February 1964), spoke a few words wondering aloud how many of those present had been married or baptised by him and whether any of the Under 10s he had coached in rugby were there. The current rector of Holy Cross, Rev Tim Watson, and Don’s wife Margaret were amongst those who listened. © Brian Rope

Happy 60^th Hackett!