This cottage-like dwelling has changed ownership several times since it was first built in the 1850s by local tanner John Pearson. The Living and Learning Centre as we know it today is the product of the energetic, reforming era of the Whitlam Government. Set up by the local council in 1974. Unedited amateur video (filmed by Vivienne?) with some voiceover and chatting with others. Significant VHS tape noise/flicker and colour pulsing. Opens with Living & Learning Centre sign on Main Road and “Open Day Here Today” attached to it. Views of entrance into carpark, dog obedience class demonstration near entrance, leadlight construction display in workshop, basket weaving, face painting, exterior garden landscape with herb garden, brick pottery shed, peppercorn tree, children’s activities, interior views showing artworks of life drawings, general engagement with other people (audio), candle room, pottery, children’s entertainer in garden, wool spinning, some attempts at engagement with Claire Fitzpatrick, Thai Chi demonstration, floral presentations, patchwork, needlepoint, knitting, some interior scenes very dark, weaving, cane basket weaving.VHS Video cassette (poor quality) Converted to MP4 file format 00:31:39; 746MBeltham living and learning centre, open day, dog obedience class, leadlight, basket weaving, face painting, artworks, life drawing, candle room, pottery, wool spinning, claire fitzpatrick, thai chi, patchwork, needlepoint, knitting, weaving, cane basket weaving, main road, eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives

Portland C.E.M.A. (Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts) was formed in 1945. In 2025, as part of its 80th Birthday celebrations, a series of taped interviews from the 1980s and 1990s were digitised with the assistance of Glenelg Shire Community Grants. (Arts and Culture) The variable quality of the original recordings has meant digitisation has not been possible for all interviews. Transcripts have been provided where possible.The series of oral history interviews (1983-1990) captured the memories of some active early members of the Portland Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts. First hand memories of the formation of the organisation in 1945, early activities of its groups, fundraising and building of the CEMA Arts Centre provide a window into community life in Portland and District in the post WW2 era. Recent digitisation (2025) has preserved deteriorating cassette tape recordings. community arts., oral history - portland c.e.m.a.

The "Listening to the Voices" project aims to preserve the recorded memories of Portland C.E.M.A. ( Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts) early members in order to enable access to local historians, family historians and current members. Bob and Jean Stuchbery were active members in the post WW2 era and throughout the 1950s. Jean made cameo appearances into the 1980sThe series of oral history interviews (1983-1990) captured the memories of some active early members of the Portland Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts. First hand memories of the formation of the organisation in 1945, early activities of its groups, fundraising and building of the CEMA Arts Centre provide a window into community life in Portland and District in the post WW2 era. Recent digitisation (2025) has preserved deteriorating cassette tape recordings.oral history - portland c.e.m.a., portland council for encouragement of music and the arts

Portland C.E.M.A. (Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts) was formed in 1945. In 2025, as part of its 80th Birthday celebrations, a series of taped interviews from the 1980s and 1990s were digitised with the assistance of Glenelg Shire Community Grants. (Arts and Culture) The variable quality of the original recordings has meant digitisation has not been possible for all interviews. Transcripts have been provided where possible. Dorothy Woolcock's recording was damaged, but the full 1983 transcript and most of the audio have survived. Dorothy was an office bearer on the CEMA executive and the Arts Council Branch and instrumental in running Arts festivals in the 1960s and early 1970s.The series of oral history interviews (1983-1990) captured the memories of some active early members of the Portland Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts. First hand memories of the formation of the organisation in 1945, early activities of its groups, fundraising and building of the CEMA Arts Centre provide a window into community life in Portland and District in the post WW2 era. Recent digitisation (2025) has preserved deteriorating cassette tape recordings.community arts., oral history - portland c.e.m.a.

Portland C.E.M.A. (Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts) was formed in 1945. In 2025, as part of its 80th Birthday celebrations, a series of taped interviews from the 1980s and 1990s were digitised with the assistance of Glenelg Shire Community Grants. (Arts and Culture) The variable quality of the original recordings has meant digitisation has not been possible for all interviews. Transcripts have been provided where possible. Collin Woolcock had been C.E.M.A. President for 17 years at the time of this interview, he was instrumental to the lobbying, fundraising and achievement of an Arts Centre for Portland. He discusses the role of Keith Stirling Anderson in assisting C.E.M.A. to find a home.The series of oral history interviews (1983-1990) captured the memories of some active early members of the Portland Council for Encouragement of Music and the Arts. First hand memories of the formation of the organisation in 1945, early activities of its groups, fundraising and building of the CEMA Arts Centre provide a window into community life in Portland and District in the post WW2 era. Recent digitisation (2025) has preserved deteriorating cassette tape recordings.portland council for encouragement of music and the arts, oral history - portland c.e.m.a., portland arts centre history