MPRG special events content

Tom Roberts Slumbering sea, Mentone 1887 oil on canvas National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Purchased with the assistance of a special grant from the Government of Victoria, 1979	Doing leisure differently around Port Phillip Bay With Leigh Astbury, writer and art consultant Thursday 16 February 5.30pm for illustrated talk 6pm–7pm M $12 G $15, including a drink and canapés Venue: MPRG, bookings essential L P Hartley began his novel the Go-Between (1953) with the now famous line, ‘The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.’ Is it possible that they ‘did leisure differently’ at seaside resorts around Port Phillip Bay in the second half of the 19th century? There are, for instance, very few Australian paintings of the period showing people actually swimming in the water. Why is this? This lecture explores what artists chose to paint and why, and attempts to suggest their ultimate contribution to our understanding of leisure at the time.
	National Trust event at the MPRG The truth about Georgiana’s Journal With Dr Marguerite Hancock, historian and author of Colonial Consorts: The Wives of Victoria’s Governors 1839-1900 Thursday 8 March, 5.30pm–7pm M $14 G $17 (includes wine and canapés) Proceeds support the McCrae Homestead and Galleries, National Trust property and home of the paintings of Port Phillip pioneer, Georgiana McCrae and, more recently, the photographs of J W Twycross Venue: MPRG, to book call 8663 7260 (National Trust booking office) Marguerite will tell the story behind Georgiana’s Journal, originally published in 1934 as a first-hand account of life in the Port Phillip District by Georgiana McCrae, pioneer and acclaimed colonial artist. Yet much of what readers have always taken to be Georgiana’s own words was actually written and embellished by her grandson, the poet Hugh McCrae, who edited the journal for publication.
	Young at art
	Tuesday 6 March Shutterbug Tuesday 1 May Pop goes the easel Tuesday 5 June Going dotty Tuesday 16 July Brrr, it’s cold Tuesday 7 August Ooh ouch Tuesday 4 September Rock, paper, scissors Tuesday 2 October Scrunch scrunch Tuesday 13 November Wow! Time 10am-11am $4/child, carer free Venue: MPRG, bookings essential call 5975 4395 A very popular program for 0-5 year olds, with storyteller Matteo and the Gallery’s Education Coordinator. Sing, dance, clap and stomp your feet with Matteo! Do an exciting activity with the Education Coordinator afterwards.
	Free guided tours There are free guided tours every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm during the exhibitions. No bookings necessary.
	Bookings Please phone the MPRG on 5975 4395 to book your ticket, as places are limited for all events. Bookings are only confirmed with payment, either by credit card over the phone, cash at the Gallery or by sending a cheque. Cheques should be made payable to MPRG, PO Box 650, Mornington, VIC 3931. No refunds.
	Friends of the MPRG Events
Image courtesy of Beleura the House & Garden	Coffee morning: Genesis of Beleura With Pru Evans, volunteer guide and archivist at Beleura the House & Garden, arts writer, lecturer and curator Monday 5 March 10.30am for morning tea, 11am – 12 noon for talk M $5 G $7, includes morning tea and door prize Venue: MPRG, no booking required Join volunteer guide and archivist at Beleura the House & Garden Pru Evans to find out about recent discoveries about the builder and architect of Beleura and the name. The most commonly asked question at Beleura is ‘What does Beleura mean?’ and for the past 150 years no-one knew who designed the house. Both mysteries have now been solved. Research into original owner James Butchart’s life has also revealed remarkable coincidences and activities.