Inspirational

I was sitting back watching the Jim Styne’s documentary the other night and I must admit, it was hard not to tear up watching such an inspirational bloke fight the challenges that keep coming up for him. It got me thinking, who have been the inspirations in my life that I respect and admired.

Two amazing local blokes came to mind, the Late Mr. Peter Krenz and the Late Mr. Barry Hayes. Both have had a large impact on my life at different stages and in different ways, but both had an amazing ‘thing’ about them. I use the word ‘thing’ because I don’t think there is one word that could describe their determination to fight, attitude towards life, their caring nature and ability to put other people before themselves.

Both blokes were ‘Eaglehawk Boys’ and very passionate about their community and helping others. Both had a long battle with cancer and had numerous tumors. Peter passed way in October 2007 and Barry in December 2008.

Peter Krenz was a man of passion and heart. He was one of the most determined and caring blokes I have ever met. I first met Peter back in 2004 where he took me under his wing and allowed me to work with him on the ‘Bcentral’ project.

Looking back, I think I was the luckiest 14 year old ever, because what I learnt from Peter over the 4 years, far out weighed what I learnt in 13 years of school. Pete was a man of action and if you wanted something done, you went to Pete. He was a true fighter and I really admired this in him.

His cancer was only getting worse, but his attitude towards life only got stronger. Peter’s legacy is all around us in Bendigo. Krenzy wasn’t the loudest bloke in the room, he rather let his actions speak louder then words.

Peter won the Bendigo Citizen of the Year Award in 2006. I remember his speech; he was very humble and didn’t enjoy the limelight. In his speech he said that the award wasn’t for him, it was for his beautiful family and great staff.

It is scary to think what I would be doing with my life if it wasn’t for Peter Krenz having the belief in me, and encouraging me to challenge myself.

“Hurry up Reade” were the first words I heard from Barry Hayes as I struggled to keep up with the group at umpire training. Barry Hayes was appointed coach of the umpires and as a board member at the time, it was one of the best decisions we ever made.

Barry was a tough footy coach and an even tougher umpires coach. He was a man of discipline and was all about pushing yourself. Over the two years that Barry was coach I have never done as many push ups and punches. As tough and as strict as Barry was, our numbers at training nearly tripled and kids were turning up to training an hour before hand waiting for Barry to arrive. As a board we couldn’t work out why so we surveyed our members. It turned out that members most enjoyed the discipline from Barry. He became a role model for the kids and an inspiration for the adults. He provided a father figure and took the time to listen to young people that had never been listened to.

Barry’s memory got worse as the tumors got worse, but he always tried the hardest to remember your name. He always led by example and tried to complete as many as the training drills as possible (this is whilst fighting tumors). His ability to challenge himself and taking the time to listen to others is something I will always admire.

These are just two of the inspirational people in my life that I have the privilege of knowing.  After reflecting on stories like Jim Stynes, Krenzy and Barry’s, it makes you realize how lucky and easy most of us have it.

All you got to do is look at what these blokes have achieved whilst battling their cancer, they are what I would call, “true heros”.

James Reade

You can follow James’ blog on www.yobendigo.com.au or www.jrevents.com.au

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Dreams come true!

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is proud to present

Dreams come true as ACMI snares major Disney exhibition for Melbourne

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will be the exclusive Australian host city for Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales, a major new exhibition celebrating over 70 years of Disney animation.

 Director Tony Sweeney today announced that ACMI would follow up its current blockbuster, Tim Burton: The Exhibition, with Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales, direct from the United States from November 18, 2010.

 Conceived by John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Disney/Pixar Animation Studios, as a cultural gift to the people of post-Katrina New Orleans and originally curated by Lella Smith, Creative Director, Disney Animation Research Library, the exhibition features over 600 original artworks, maquettes and animation cels from Disney’s much-loved adaptations of traditional European fairy tales.

 Visitors will be able to go behind the scenes of the on-screen magic and explore the artworks and innovations that gave birth to the animated feature film. The exhibition includes early conceptual and creative artworks from legendary features including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, and the yet to be released Tangled.

 Tony Sweeney said ACMI was delighted to be bringing this magical exhibition exclusively to Melbourne.

 “Visitors of all ages will love seeing their favourite Disney characters as they were first imagined, seen through the creative process of the talented artists who transformed the works from idea to reality.” Tony said. “It is a fascinating portal into the technical skill, emotional and creative depth behind these much loved animated classics. After all, it was Disney animators who led the way in establishing animation as the serious art form it is today.”

Beautiful concept art, background paintings, and character designs by influential Disney artists, including Glen Keane, Eyvind Earle, Kay Nielson, and Mary Blair, will be accompanied by film clips to demonstrate how the artworks are brought to life as celluloid masterpieces.

At ACMI, the exhibition will feature new exhibits on first display, including exclusive concept artworks and character designs, from Disney’s upcoming feature film, Tangled, (Released in the US in November 2010 and Australia in January 2011), Disney’s adaptation of the classic Rapunzel fairy tale.

 “As with all our major exhibitions, we provide unique new works for the Australian presentation, and this is no exception,” Tony said. “On opening, just days before the US cinema release of Tangled, visitors will be able to go behind the scenes of this latest Disney animated tale and see for the first time concept artworks and sketches from the film”.

 ACMI will present an extensive program of film, education and public events as part of the exhibition.

Walt Disney Company Australia Managing Director, John Cracknell, also welcomed the announcement. “The Disney brand has a strong affinity with Australian families and we are excited that they will have the opportunity to engage and experience these beloved films and characters like never before”.

ACMI will present an extensive program of film, education and public events as part of the exhibition.

 Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales will immediately follow ACMI’s current blockbuster exhibition, Tim Burton: The Exhibition, which is being presented as part of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2010. The exhibition reached the 100,000 visitor milestone last week, just five weeks after opening. It runs until 10 October.

 Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales, Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, 18 November, 2010 to 26 April, 2011. Ticket pricing and additional programming detail will be released closer to the exhibition opening. Full details to be posted online at www.acmi.net.au