Garry Ginivan honoured in Australia Day Awards
2 February 2021
SFS was very happy to see this award.
Garry Ginivan AM
Entrepreneur, producer, writer, director, performer, colleague and friend.
Garry was a one man powerhouse, dedicated to creating quality musicals for children. Experienced in producing, his shows could play both the Arts Centre Melbourne's big stages, then tour nationally with the set adaptable to fit some of the small, regional stages. Children and families, Australia-wide, looked forward to his shows. Possum Magic, Wombat Stew, My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch, We're Going On A Bear Hunt were some of his more recent productions.
Scenes from Possum Magic - Winner of a Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children. It had many national tours playing to almost 1 million people!
Countless children had their first experience of theatre at one of his shows. Teachers loved them because they could rely on them being excellent. In fact, we know his shows changed children's lives - engaging them in a way that only good theatre can.
Image above: scene from My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch
Theatre managers also loved buying a Garry Ginivan Attraction production. To illustrate their esteem, Garry won the inaugural Drover Touring Legend award in 2004, voted by theatre managers, celebrating the professionalism of the company. Whatsmore, the shows reliably filled the house and left the audience keen to go to more theatre.
And of course, if you make lots of shows, you cast lots of performers. Garry had a reputation as being a demanding director. Each actor would arrive at the first day of rehearsal with their book learnt. No one wanted Garry's ire. But he really looked after his artists and crew and they loved him for it. Dozens of arts workers got their start with GG.
Image: Cast in Wombat Stew
Remarkably, in his 30 odd years of producing, his productions played to over 2 million Australians. This is an amazing feat.
Garry died suddenly a year ago. He never knew that friends had put together an application for him to receive an Australian honour. We reckon he would have been chuffed - in a grumpy GG way.
We all miss him.
Top Image : Garry Ginivan with SFS' Karen Keegan in front of the Possum Magic set. Garry and Karen collaborated on many projects, including forming a company with Graeme Base to produce My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch.
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Vic & Qld back this week. Why???
27 January 2021
Our state and territory education systems are not in sync with each other.
What is the point of Queensland and Victoria starting this week?
It seems particularly cruel for the Victorian teachers who not only had the worst year ever in 2020, but who, as always, face the longest teaching year of all. Queensland finishes a week earlier in December.
What on earth is the point?
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Hope you're all enjoying a long weekend!
25 January 2021
It's ideal when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.
Will be very interesting to see what the future holds for tomorrow's public holiday.
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Latest Presenter Profile
20 January 2021
Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA has another brilliant offering in 2021. Some rescheduled events are back. See the entire season here.
Image: Maali Festival, free to attend.
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How is it that holidays go so quickly?
15 January 2021
Well, they do for adults! Only two weeks or so until 2021 school year starts. Canny teachers are booking for HarmonyNaidoc and Book weeks now. We have to be optimistic!
Just go here and use our search to find the best event for your students.
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Yay January 1, 2021!
1 January 2021
Happy New Year to all
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Almost 2021.
31 December 2020
Definitely time to put 2020 to bed.
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Merry Xmas!
25 December 2020
Enjoy this day, with best wishes from all at SFS
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That's a wrap. 2020 School Year Done.
19 December 2020
Have a brilliant, relaxing Christmas break, everyone.
SFS is open in January, so please keep booking events, as you continue planning for a better 2021.
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Arts opportunity for Artists and Schools in Victoria
7 December 2020
Regional Arts Victoria is organising their Creative Workers in Schools program again. It's a great opportunity for artists to build a relationship with schools and develop interesting projects with students over a 6 month period. For schools, it's an arts bonus! Details here
Image: well it's a class of NSW puppetmaker Julie Zomers - who'll bring puppet workshops to NSW schools.
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Adelaide Festival 2021 Announced
4 December 2020
Dates: Feb 26 - Mar 14, 2021.
Lots of actual live events!! How exciting. The Arts are back.
Go here for details.
Image: The Pulse, Gravity & Other Myths
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First day of Summer
1 December 2020
Ahhhhh
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