IN THE FOOTSTEPS

This scene is new to me as a visitor to that area. This image is promoting multiculturalism.

Small children need some quiet time to discover the simpler side of life; to experience some of what patience asks of them.
Certain childhood pastimes, such as motorbike riding, equate with instant thrills and are something of an overkill, both literally and figuratively, and could even drown out that spirit of wonder that I've heard about.

ON ANY FRIDAY IN A MULTICULTURAL SUBURB

WHAT'S IN STORE?

$$$$$$$

Melbourne Cup Parties, hats and fascinators, Cup sweeps and betting yesterday.
Many different circumstances in the past come to my mind in which the Cup was the focus. Imagine Aussie gatherings all round the world for the race and to touch home base again.
Amazingly, at Newcastle racecourse, camel races took the place of horse races due to equine influenza.
The sign, Coke Oven, above the poker machines is playing with the imagery of this post-industrial suburb.

THE MERCHANT

Treasure from the faraway land of Tutankhamun.

KANGAROO PAW

Another bizarre yet interesting local. Kangaroo Paw, genus Anigozanthos in eleven species, occurs naturally only in Western Australia but is possibly grown far and wide.

ADVANCE ADVENT

Christmas lights are being installed on KMart in Waratah and, in the style of Australian Naive artists, is our national coat of arms. (link to art works in this curious naive style) A patriotic and bizarre combination of heraldry with 'roo, emu, white cockatoo and possibly a black cockatoo or brush turkey is displayed. The red flower is a Waratah, the floral emblem for this state and is set in a Christmas wreath.
In the official coat of arms the 'roo and emu are indigenous and there is a belief that neither animal can walk backwards and have come to represent progress. King Edward VII granted use of a coat of arms to the Commonwealth and King George V an updated version. (Even Heraldry in Britain dates back to the French Plantagenet Kings)