The Melbourne Reef

2012 Welome !!!

2012-01-09T15:44:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year everyone !!
Our family of crochet coral creators is growing....welcome to all those in Geelong who have discovered the additive nature of crocheting hyperbolic coral.
If you haven't got 'the bug' yet, and want to join us, we would love to meet you Geelong Workshops - (through Geelong West Neighbourhool House)
Saturday 21st January     2-4pm
Saturday 25th February   2-4pm
Saturday 24th March      2-4pm
Venue: Virginia Todd Hall, 9 Clarence St, Geelong West
or if you are on the other side of town
at the
Celebrate Mooroolbark Family Festival (formerly Red Earth Festival)
Saturday 24th March

HCCR coming to Geelong !!

2011-09-28T10:35:00.000+10:00

What does crochet have in common with marine biology,
environmental activism and mathematics? How did this project
start and why? How can you be involved?
Introductory talk & workshop
Saturday 29th October
Virginia Todd Centre,
9 Clarence St, Geelong West.
2pm - 4pm
BYO crochet hook & yarn
All abilities welcome!!
Entry: Gold Coin donation
Contact: Guenter Sahr 0427 703 218
Email: fionakresten@gmail.com

Bendigo a great success !!

2011-09-28T10:12:00.000+10:00

Lots of excitement and great feedback generated from our visit to Benidgo Sheep & Wool Show. Here are some photos.

May Update

2011-06-16T07:58:00.006+10:00

New Groups Starting:
Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre
Contact Elma on elma.morgan1@gmail.com 040 709 4421
Selby Community House
Contact Tracy Van Volten at selby@selbyhouse.com.au
Camberwell - Open Drawer
Contact Robyn at info@opendrawer.com.au
Update on Warburton Group:
The group has decided to make a felted panel to sew their crochet coral onto. The girls have done a great job. Rather than buy prepreared wool for the felt, the girls took on the challenge of the entire process from the raw fleece. Well done!!! Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together. For those interested, the panel will be on display at the Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show in July 2011.

News Update

2011-04-04T02:11:00.000+10:00

We're going to the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo !!
Friday 15th July - Sunday 17th July
We'll have a display, workshops & also some surprise entires in the Fashion Parade as well as wonderful handmade items for sale from some of our talented contributors.
Mark it in your diaries now!
It's not too late to join in the wonderful family we have created with our crochet coral contributors. Come top one of our workshops and find out what all the fuss (fun) is all about.

The Melbourne Reef continues to Grow !!

2011-03-23T14:02:00.003+11:00

Lots of exciting plans emerging and new groups starting:

Free Workshops 2011:

Sunday 27th March 10.30am - 3.30pm
Open Drawer, 1158 Toorak Rd, Camberwell (Mel ref. 60 C6)
Drop in for a short time, or come and play all day!
BYO crochet hook and a variety of scarp yarns
Facilitated by Lynn Berry
Bookings: 9889 7227 or Email: info@opendrawer.com.au
Web: http://www.opendrawer.com.au/

Every Friday from 11am free
Join the happy band of crafters that meet each week at
Poppy's By the River,
East Warburton
BYO crochet hook & yarn
Hosted by Zephlyn and Helen

1st Exhibition Huge Success!!!!!!

2011-01-10T19:25:00.000+11:00

The first exhibition of The Melbourne Reef exhibition has now closed. We have had wonderful feedback from visitors to the gallery. Thank you to everyone who made such a successful exhibition possible, you should all be very proud of what we have achieved together

With the first chapter in The Melbourne Reef story complete, watch this space for news on where the exhibition will be next.

A new series of workshops will be starting again soon. So if you missed out last time around and would like to join in, send me an email letting me know what area you are living in and I will see what I can do about organising something near to you.

Dolphin Research 4th December

2010-11-30T10:55:00.002+11:00

Celebrate World Oceans Day this Saturday by learning more about Port Phillip Bay with a stunning visual presentation from the Dolphin Research Institue. Did you know that our bottlenose dolphins have been declared a new species? Did you know that 80% of marine life in Victorian waters is found now where else? Have you ever seen a whale's tooth? Topics covered include bird & whale migrations, resident dolphin population updates, effects of bay dredging and overall health of our marine ecosystem. The DRI has been studying Port Phillip & Westernport Bays for the past 20 years, so have an intimate knowledge of how unique our marine life really is. Don't miss this fabulous opportunity to find out more. Questions welcome. Family friendly event.
Bookings: phone Burrinja on 9754 8723
Date: Saturday 4th December
Time: 2pm - 3.30pm
Where: Burrinja Gallery
Cost: $5 / $4 conc.

Crochet workshop with special guest Aunty Dot Peters

2010-11-24T00:21:00.001+11:00

We have some great events coming up! Don't forget to book.
Hyperbolic Crochet workshop with special guest Aunty Dot Peters. Beginners welcome. BYO hook.
Saturday 27th November 1pm -4 pm
$5 entry includes workshop & gallery entry. Contributors free.
Victoria's Marine Treasures with master storytellers from the Dolphin Research Institute.
Saturday 4th December 2pm -
$5 entry includes presentation & gallery entry. Contributors free.
and don't forget to book for
Margaret Wertheim LIVE !!
at The Age Theatre, Melbourne Museum
21 December 7pm - 9.30pm
$18 Adult $10 concession/contributors
Bookings Essential !!! phone Burrinja on 9754 8723

November

2010-11-11T14:08:00.001+11:00

Tuesday 16th Nov 7pm Parks Victoria presentation by Mark Rodrigue sharing his passion of our magnificent marine environment. More stunning images and lots of info - guaranteed you will come away having learnt something you didn't know before.
$5 entry $4 - conc includes exhibition tour.
Phone Burrinja to book on 9754 8723

Saturday 27th Nov 1pm - 4pm Crochet Workshop with special guest Indigenous Elder Aunty Dot Peters
$5 entry $4 conc - includes exhibition tour.
Beginners & experienced corcheters welcome. BYO hook.
Phone Burrinja to book on 9754 8723

The exhibition is having a wonderful response from visitors -
'I can't believe it's crochet!!' 'But it looks like real coral' are some of the comments frequently heard by visitors.
'Is everything in the video really all found in Victoria? I had no idea! Are you sure it's not Qld? If you haven't seen the exhibition for yourself yet, come and find out what all the fuss is about. It has been wonderful to see the reactions of people of all ages. There really is something for everyone. Take up the offer to find out more at one of our public programming events.
See you there.

Exhibition time is here!!!

2010-10-15T11:40:00.003+11:00

For all of you who have been waiting with baited breath - EXHIBITION TIME IS FINALLY HERE !!

142 individuals from 68 locations took part in this incredible feat - a labour of love.

See crochet like you've never seen it before!

Explore the world of higher mathematics through 3D models!

Discover how much you didn’t know about our undersea world!

THE MELBOURNE SATELLITE REEF

on display for the first time

9th October 2010 – 9th January, 2011

Burrinja Gallery

351 Glenfern Road (cnr Matson Drive)

Upwey

Melways 75B12
Phone: 9743 8723

We hope you enjoy experiencing our exhibition as much as we have enjoyed creating it.

Margaret Wertheim via skype from the Smithsonian in Washington

Thank you to our lovely mermaids Claire, Chloe, Michaela and Tina

EXHIBITION TIME IS NEARLY HERE

2010-09-29T08:44:00.000+10:00

From Warrnambool to Watsonia they came, from Phillip Island to Preston they came, from Ballarat to Bentleigh, Mt Macedon to Mt Dandenong 140 individuals from 61 locations all united by a common thread, the creation of The Melbourne Reef!!!
Thank you to everyone of you!
It's all getting very exciting now, crochet pieces have been arriving almost daily in preparation for our upcoming exhibition. We have well over 1,000 pieces of crochet coral. An outstanding effort!!
You should all give yourselves a big pat on the back.
We took possession of the Gallery space yesterday - more like a take over - boxes & suitcases full of crochet everywhere! The mammoth task of sorting has begun and the creation of the foundation for the display has begun........
When can you see it ? Not just yet.....you need to wait just a little bit longer.
Exhibition Dates: 9th October 2010 - 9th January 2011
See you there.

2010-09-02T09:04:00.001+10:00

Here is a tempter for you. This is some of the pieces that arrived on Saturday with Cindy's plastic bag sea garden in the centre.

We had a wonderful time with Mark Rodrigue from Parks Vic last Saturday. Mark shared his knowledge about Victoria's reef systems with us and had lots of wonderful images to accompany his talk. I've had great feedback about how much you all learned about our local marine environment. Thank you Mark for your enthusiastic support of our project and your willingness to share your knowledge with us. Mark has also provided a DVD of underwater footage of Victoria's marine environment for us to play during the exhibition. There is a wonderful team of people from all professions and walks of life that are contributing to this project. Thank you to everyone who is helping make this a reality. Just to give you an idea as to how far afield our reach has got in Melbourne, this is where people came from to attend last Saturday: Phillip Island, Mornington, Mentone, Carnegie, Oakleigh, Glen Iris, St Kilda, Lara, Northcote, Thornbury, Coburg, Bundoora, Ringwood, Croydon, Mitcham, Doncaster, Upwey, Ferntree Gully, Ferny Creek, Belgrave, Selby, Monbulk, Gembrook and Warburton. I've also been getting pieces by mail from as far afield as NSW and Alice Springs !! Thank you all for your outstanding effort ! This is definitely shaping up to be an exhibition to remember.

August 21st @ Thornbury Neighbourhood House & August 28th @ Burrinja with Special Guest

2010-08-08T19:29:00.017+10:00

Saturday 7th August Watsonia Library 10.30am - 1pm
Saturday 21st August TNH - contact Ursulla on 9480 0466
Saturday 28th August at Burrinja Cafe - Mark Rodrigue, Parks Vic Marine & Coast will WOW us with Spectacular underwater photos & info on what makes Victoria's marine environment special!!! Tell your friends, all welcome. Mark's segment will be between 2pm & 3pm.
Yes we will still be having our regular crochet workshop as well between 1pm - 4pm See you there.

July What a month!!

2010-07-28T00:14:00.009+10:00

It started with Marg & Maryanne's workshop in Watsonia. They are our pseudosphere specialists, the quality of the craftmanship from this group has to be seen to be believed. Thank you Marg & Maryanne, you are such gentle and patient teachers and a wonderful asset to our group.
Photo of Coral with her wrapping paper ribbon creation.

Next up was the Made In Thornbury market. I met the most wonderful women there that will be joining our 'family'. I look forward to seeing their creations. Thank you to Ursulla for offering workshops at the Thornbury Neighbourhood House. Anyone who lives out that way & wants to join in can contact Ursula on 9480 0466 for more information.
Photo Tracy with our display table at Made in Thornbury market.

Last, but not least - A big thank you to everyone who came to Burrinja last Saturday!! What an amazing effort by everyone. You should all be very proud of your creations. Dawn from Gembrook has almost created the entire toxic reef by herself!! What talent and imagination. You can tell that Ursula from Phillip Island has a background in embroidery, the delicacy of her workmanship is breathtaking. There are so many of you who have created the most amazing pieces. It was very inspiring seeing it all starting to come together. I must admit that I was a bit concerned initially at the size of the space we had to fill. But thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of the combined Melbourne community, I worry no more!! It was wonderful watching you all looking at what others had done, admiring and appreciating each others work. This project certainly has created a wonderful new 'family' of crafters. We are going to have the most amazing exhibition. The standard just keeps getting better and better. Without each and every one of you The Melbourne Satellite Reef would not be so wonderfully diverse and vibrant. So I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making the dream come alive.

July Workshops

2010-07-08T13:01:00.007+10:00

Lots happening this month starting with:

Saturday 10th July 10am - 12.30pm @ Watsonia Library Community Room
Marg & Maryanne will be on hand to inspire you with the finer points of hyperbolic crochet.

Friday 16th July 4pm - 7pm @ Made in Thornbury Market - locally made crafts, food & music. Tracy will be here with a display of crochet coral pieces and on hand to encourage any budding crocheters who would like to join in.

Saturday 24th July 1pm - 4pm @ Burrinja Cafe. Burrinja is our main base for workshops, come and meet fellow crochet coral enthusiasts and check out the exhibition space.

It's not too late to join in, all welcome, BYO crochet hook & yarn.

See you at one of the workshops.

Memorial for Marj Gutteridge Aged 95

2010-07-01T11:16:00.001+10:00

Marj Gutteridge Hyperbolic Crochet Coral contributor from Emerald Glades Hostel died 12.6.10 aged 95.
"I remember Marj as a beautiful, vibrant woman. Always friendly with a smile and a kind word for everyone. I never heard her grumble and I feel privileged to have known her." Dawn Ashford
"Marj was a wonderful artist who loved a challenge, each weekend she would ask for homework and would crochet coral for the Melbourne Reef in her room, becoming wilder and freer in her creativity. Her last piece of her many contributions was an octopus for the fluro cave.
She rolled up her wool and left her crochet hook placed in it on her dressing table for me to find when I returned to work. A generous, creative, appreciative, adventurous artist will be greatly missed, but her coral lives on to make a difference for the worldwide project of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef." Lyn Forrest, Arts Therapist

JUNE HAPPENINGS

2010-05-31T14:01:00.013+10:00

WORKSHOPS

June 19th, 1pm - 4pm- Watsonia Library Community Room

June 26th, 1pm - 4pm Belgrave South Primary School. We have been invited back to the school for this months workshop. Photo is some of us in the Art Room at the May workshop. This will be the last workshop at the school, so if you want to see what the children have been doing - this is your opportunity to see their 'underwater corridor'

June 26th, 10am - 4pm - Alice Springs Beanie Festival, Margaret & Maryanne will be in Alice Springs for the Beanie Festival conducting hyperbolic crochet coral workshops on the Saturday.

Venue Change May 22nd Workshop

2010-05-15T17:07:00.003+10:00

Belgrave South Primary School have invited us to hold our May 22nd workshop at the school. (approx 10 mins drive from Burrinja)
This will be a great opportunity to see what they have been doing and further the 'connections' between the school and the rest of us involved in the Crochet Coral Reef Project. Elizabeth Dobbie has set up the hallway to the artroom as an underwater reef world with
our crochet pieces as part of this display ( for Education Week). So come along and see what it looks like when we start putting it all together.
When: Saturday 22nd May 1pm - 4pm
Where: Belgrave South Primary School (only 10min drive from Burrinja)
Cnr. Belgrave Hallam Rd & Colby Drv. (enter from Colby Drive) Belgrave South Melways 84 G2
Parking: in Colby Drive. Locals, please park in the staff carpark (enter off Gilmore Crt)
There is a bakery opposite the school that will be open for cappuccino etc.
Please pass this information on so we can ensure that everyone gets the new venue details for this workshop.
Contact me (9754 4070) if you are coming by public transport and or need help with directions.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the school next Saturday. Tracy

What's happening in May

2010-05-02T14:03:00.001+10:00

Watsonia Library has a display of some of your pieces, so if you are over that way, pop in and have a look!!

Thanks to Marg Lanne & Maryanne Noonan for organising this.

The next workshop will be on Saturday 22nd May, 1pm - 4pm @ Burrinja in Upwey, all welcome.

I called in to Belgrave South Primary School to see how they were getting along. They are converting the corridor outside the art room into an underwater landscape. They have been very busy exploring options & ideas and it's looking fantastic. The school children are going to make a cave for us to accommodate the fluro pieces, they now have black lights installed in their corridor and everyone is getting excited about what fluoresces and what doesn't. Lots of distance estimating, measurements etc. involved, so keeping them busy. The video tape & plastic grass is also being put to good use. It is great to see the kids out of school hours with their video tape & crochet hooks - Well done Elizabeth, you certainly are getting them inspired. They are gearing up for education week 16 - 19 May, so I'll take some photos and let you know how they went.

Mark Rodrigue, Parks Victoria (Marine & Coasts) is getting some images together & an annotated presentation of Victorian Reefs for us to use publicly, which is wonderful!! Thank you Mark. Both Mark and Wendy Roberts (Reef Watch Victoria / Melbourne Museum) have been very supportive, thank you both very much for your support and enthusiasm for the project.

Workshops this week!!

2010-04-19T18:16:00.001+10:00

Thursday 22nd April, 5pm - 8pm
Watsonia Llibrary Community Room
Ibboltson Street
Watsonia
and
Saturday 24th April, 1pm - 4pm
Burrinja Cafe
351 Glenfern Road
Upwey

Everyone Welcome.

2010-03-30T12:59:00.021+11:00

We all had a wonderful time last Saturday with Wendy Roberts from Reef Watch/Melbourne Museum. Thank you Wendy, your input was wonderful, there have been many inspired conversations and ideas that your presentation has generated. As well as great images, Wendy also brought us some sponge samples to have a look at. Nature really is incredible with the variety of colours, shapes & textures, the more you look the more you find! One of the highlights was an image taken under a microscope showing the cell structure - you could hear oooh's all around the room as it look just like a piece of crochet. More food for thought.

Wendy explaining the significance of Victoria's marine environment.

Here Wendy shows us a fantastic new publication on what lives in Port Phillip Bay. Stunning photography and brilliantly put together showing where to find what. Enquiries: http://www.beneathourbay.com.au/

Next Workshop this Saturday

2010-03-26T00:51:00.000+11:00

Come along and find out what hidden treasures lie beneath the ocean surface. Wendy Roberts from Reef Watch Victoria/Melbourne Museum is coming to Burrinja this Saturday to educate & inspire us with a presentation on Sponges & Corals in Port Phillip Bay. Wendy has been collating underwater photographs specifically for our group, helping us to explore nature's wonder, and what we can do to make a difference.

When: Saturday 27th March, 2010
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Where: Burrinja Cafe, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey, Melways 75 B12
Special Guest: Wendy Roberts, Reef Watch/Melbourne Museum (2pm - 3pm)

Watsonia Library workshops

2010-03-02T11:49:00.000+11:00

Our networks are ever expanding, in addition to our workshops at Burrinja in Upwey, we are very excited to announce workshops in the Community Room at Watsonia Library spearheaded by Marg Lanne.
The dates & times are:
March 6th Saturday 10.30am - 1.30pm
April 22nd Thursday 5pm - 8pm
May 1st Saturday 10am - 12.30pm
June 19th Saturday 1pm - 4pm
July 10th Saturday 10am - 12.30pm
August 7th Saturday 10.30am - 1pm
BYO crochet hook All Welcome
In addition to the workshops, Marg has organised a display of crochet coral at the library for 2 weeks starting on the 6th March, so call in and see what we have all been up to, be inspired and attend a workshop for expert tips on how to create your own crochet coral masterpiece.
All enquiries for the Watsonia Library workshops contact Marg Lanne on 0411 604 435.

Next Workshop

2010-02-24T19:25:00.000+11:00

Just a reminder, this Saturday (27th) is our next workshop 1pm - 4pm @ Burrrinja.
BYO crochet hook, inspiration & ideas to share and of course any finished pieces that you have.
Yes, we will have a beginners table, as well as expert tips from some of our more experienced crocheters.

What have I been up to?
I've had some photos taken of our Reef so far and as we speak Terry is formatting them into a picture frame that we can use as a template for all of our flyers. This way we can have photos of lots of coral varieties all on the one flyer without cluttering the text, with the added bonus that it still looks interesting in B&W. All going well this will be available for the weekend workshop, if not, then early next week.

On Thursday I'll be in the City, researching/booking window display space, a venue for sessions in the City & also demonstrating to some blind/deaf people who have expressed interest in being involved, and next week I'm doing a presentation to an over 55's group in Ashburton.

Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.

Welcome

2010-02-09T21:38:00.000+11:00

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Belgrave South Primary School to the satellite reef project.

Art teacher Elizabeth Dobbie will be coordinating their efforts and we will be putting together a feature in a couple of months to let you all know what they have been doing.

Here are some more photos from the last meeting.

First Workshop for 2010

2010-01-31T13:18:00.000+11:00

We have had our first workshop for the year at the Burrinja Cafe, with a great turnout and lots of fantastic work on display.

Excitingly the Burrinja Gallery has donated it space to host the first showing of our reef in October/November of this year so we have a very busy time in front of us.

We have groups interested in, and started working on

Recycled Materials Reef - to highlight rubbish,
Bleached Reef - highlighting the effect of global warming on the ecology of coral reef systems,
Main Hyperbolic Reef - a healthy reef in all it's splendour plus a few surprises.

We hope to feature information on each of these reef types in some upcoming posts.

Here are a few photos of the day.

Working hard:
Marg, Nerrida & Maryanne

Yvonne, Sue & Elizabeth

The Melbourne Reef.....watch it grow!

A few details.

First Photo

2009-12-20T13:27:00.000+11:00

Here is the first uploaded picture from the Burrinja Reef Group, more to come as soon as we set everything up for a photographic session.

MELBOURNE SATELLITE REEF

2009-11-01T13:16:00.000+11:00

We invite you to join us in creating a MELBOURNE SATELLITE REEF as part of a Global Community Project - The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project. All Welcome!!

Come & join us, find out what we are doing and how you can get involved.
Workshops dates & venues:
1st Saturday of every month 2pm - 5pm @ Burrinja Gallery
351 Glenfern Road, Upwey (Cnr Matson Drive)
Melways 75 B12

Coming soon to:
Mornington Penninsular and Abbotsford.

For more information email Tracy at melbourne.satellite.reef@gmail.com