​So Bev has set a challenge.  About time?  Time wasted, time to go, just in time – where to begin?  I’ll consider this in my own good time, as time becomes available and then set aside time to work on this project.
 
I ponder on next time, about time and time waits for no man.  Where to begin…Once upon a time…, As time went by, she checked her watch…, There was a time in his life when …, or even, Sarah will never forget the time….
 
Then this morning, I realised I had run out of time to write about time!
 
Noelle
May 2019

So many times I have wiped my sweaty hands, ignored my beating heart, surveyed the environment nervously – and stepped up to the plate, podium, rostrum, mat, whatever, they are all equally terrifying.  Stepping outside my comfort zone in the name of self-improvement, or just as part of the job, is always a challenge.

In preparing to write this piece I considered many examples, tried to decipher a pattern in the development of my self-confidence, and realised how diverse and varied these challenges had presented over time.  What had, in fact given me the confidence to take on challenges with confidence – how did I know I could do it.

Digging deep, I realised that it was the Archibald Prize for Portraiture in Australian Art, in 1957.  I know this is obscure, but please bear with me!

The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921 after the receipt of a bequest from J.F. Archibald, the editor of the Bulletin, who died in 1919.  It is now administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and awarded for ‘the best portrait, preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letter, Science or Politics, painted by an artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the … date for sending in the pictures’.

The Archibald Prize, from its outset, aroused controversy, while chronicling the changing face of Australian society.  Numerous legal battles and much debate have focused on the evolving definitions of portraiture.  The most startling challenge occurred in 1943 when the award was made to William Dobell for his portrait of Mr Joshua Smith.  Many critics considered it not to be a portrait but a caricature.  However, the award was withheld.

So, when William Dobell’s portrait of Dame Mary Gilmore was a finalist for the Archibald in 1957, the breach with convention stimulated debate and controversy.

In 1957 I was a fifteen-year old student at Camberwell High School.  Our assignment was to research the Archibald Prize, document its history, the controversy and present the outcome to the class.

So, who knows everything – my father?  After dinner I asked him for help with this project.

Always one to put the shoe on the other foot he explained that the Archibald Prize had been won on eight separate occasions by Sir William Dargie (a record that has been held since 1952) a renowned Australian artist known especially for his portrait painting.

Sir William Dargie was an official Australian war artist during World War II and painted multiple portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.  His portrait of Sir Robert Menzies was the front cover of April1960 Time Magazine.  He painted in a conservative style and is now largely forgotten despite his substantial artistic artistic achievements.

So where do I come in?  William Dargie lived in Canterbury (the next suburb) and so my father insisted that I get the information from the horse’s mouth so to speak.  I protested, to no avail.  I found the telephone number in the white pages and telephoned to request an interview.  Talk about sweaty hands, fear of stuttering and terrified!

My request was granted.  I spent an amazing afternoon with Mr Dargie sitting in his studio surrounded by portraits, pencil sketches and books.  I had carefully prepared my questions, sharpened my pencil and had notebook at the ready.  That day I realised, if you are sincere and willing to listen, take a chance even, the results can be amazing.  Most people will share their knowledge, or tell their story, to an interested person – even a fifteen-year old girl for a school project.

My classmates thought he must be a family-friend, how else could it happen.  Needless to say, my teacher was amazed at my daring.  She could not believe such a famous artist as Sir William Dargie would take the opportunity to share his knowledge and wisdom on a Saturday afternoon.  I won’t tell you the marks I received for that assignment - but I will say that my father was proud!

So, although I didn’t set the challenge myself – I carried it through – and it has given me the strength face whatever else the world will throw my way.
 
Noelle McCracken
October 2018
​

Miss D. Light.  What a name, made me think of hookers!  It could not be real.

Mis D. Light was on the A List of invitees for the opening of an exhibit at Melbourne Zoo that I was organising.  Another event, another A List, and there was Miss D. Light again.  Her address was in Mt Evelyn – not a notorious spot for hookers!

I resolved that at this event I would identify her and say ‘hello’ or ‘welcome’.  But in the midst of organising the media and ensuring the function was functioning, I was unable to identify her amid the gaggle of glamorous women.

Her name kept coming up over the next little while, always respectful, acknowledging her professionalism and always with a hint of glamour!  These references always involved Australian native wildlife.  I was intrigued.

A short time later, Miss D. Light was to be the guest speaker at the opening of a Wildlife Art Show in East Melbourne.  Fortunately, I had also been invited to the opening, non, not A List.  This time I would be able to identify her!

During her presentation Miss D. Light spoke with compassion about her life-long love affair with Australian wildlife.  She told of how she set up her own wildlife rescue group, Help for Wildlife, a 24- hour Wildlife Emergency Service.  Her dedicated team had attended oil spills, heat stress events with flying foxes and many bushfires, including Black Saturday – where they searched for injured animals, built shelters and provided food and water for starving and displaced animals every night for 10 monts.  To close, she bemoaned the lack of interest in the genre of wildlife art in Australia and grandly, and with great enthusiasm, complimented the artists whose work we were about to enjoy.

I boldly introduced myself – that was how we met.

From the moment we met I was inspired by her passion, experience and determination, and continue to be in awe of her.

Denise and I enjoyed a great friendship for many years, sharing our love of wildlife and wildlife art, until her death in September 2015.

“Each and everyone of us can make a difference in some way.  The only limit we have is what we put on ourselves.  The difference I have been able to make is through a very deep respect and love for our wildlife.”     Denise Garratt, nee Light
​
 
Noelle McCracken
September 2018

Find out about Help for Wildlife & read ‘In Loving Memory of Denise Garratt’ at https://helpforwildlife.org.au/

Okay – all ticketed, through security and off to the departure lounge to await our flight.  Time to relax after such an early start and chat to others in the group.

Finally, we board, secure our seatbelts, lift-off, relax and enjoy reading, in-flight entertainment or just chatting to new friends.  I take time to check the itinerary for the rest of the trip, passenger information and any special directions from the office.

All under control.

Arrival at Coolangatta, on time, and we are met by Kevin, our coach driver for the transfer to Binna Burra.  Kevin greets me with a kiss, and lots of smiles for the group.  He has met up with our last passenger (remember I mentioned her before).  She, and one of the passengers from Melbourne, had both been air hostesses with TAA as young women, and since retirement had spent at least one holiday together every year.  It turned out they had many hilarious and adventurous tales to tell over drinks that evening.  TAA – Trans Australia Airlines – was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 until its merger with Qantas in 1992.

We had a short drive to a restaurant, with views over the ocean, for lunch before heading for the hills.  One of my responsibilities – to pay for lunch with the company credit card.

On our trip to Binna Burra, I sat in the passenger seat at the front of the coach and relaxed while Kevin pointed out places of interest, told stories of the history of the area and generally did the touristy stuff coach drivers do.  It always amazes me that he tells the same jokes or yarns at the same spot, so I offered to tell them for him.  The passengers laughed.  So did Kevin.  When the microphone was off, I asked Kevin about his wife.  She is suffering with cancer of the throat and is not responding well to treatment.  It has been a difficult time for them both and Kevin is trying to sell his coach business to enable him to spend more time at home.  They are planning a holiday and hope to spend time catching up with friends and family.  Such a difficult time.
​
One of the things I really enjoy about being a tour leader is the friendships that develop.  Not only between myself, and say drivers like Kevin, but also the team at both Binna Burra and O’Reilly’s, including receptionists, chefs, waiters, rangers, botanists and guides.  It is very special to feel welcome at distant places.

So we arrive at Binna Burra after a spectacular drive up the mountains and into the rainforest.  We are warmly greeted by Nola (yes, another Noelle) and settle by the roaring open fire in the lounge to be briefed on what to expect for the next few days.  I have invited those who want to join me on an orientation walk at 4 pm, allowing time to unpack and have a little rest beforehand.  Keys are allocated and everyone is delighted to see their log cabins nestled among gum trees, tree ferns and native bush.  The cabins are cosy, en-suited, and have a little verandah to sit outdoors and enjoy the flora and fauna.  Binna Burra Lodge has been welcoming guests since the early 1930’s and while the cabins have been updated with modern amenities, there are no phones, clocks, radios or television to intrude on the serenity.

At 4pm we head off for a little walk (happy to say, everyone came along).  I was able to show off a bowerbird bower not far from the cabins and take them along a trail designed for the visually impaired.  This trail through the forest has a hand rope (instead of a rail) and has knots to warn of steps ahead or turnings.  It has been especially planted with fragrant native bushes to provide a sensory experience – some you will just brush against, others have tags on the rope to make you aware they are within reach.

Back in time for a pre-dinner drink in the library before dinner in a room with the most spectacular views I have ever seen.  The full glass wall (the rest of the building is in timber and stone) facing east is on the side of the mountain, a sheer drop down the valley, and the National Park sprawls like a rich emerald carpet across the spurs and valleys of the McPherson Ranges.
Dinner was sumptuous – soup served from a big iron pot on the table; large and delicious main courses and sweets for those who still had room.  Conversation ebbed and flowed as it does among friends. 

No entertainment was planned for our first night – after such a long, exciting day – so “good-nights” were said and everyone headed for their cabins.  I took a glass of wine back to my cabin, filled in my report for the day and sat at the window.  Way down, on the horizon, I could see the lights of the Gold Coast – a world away.

Another day on the job.
 
Noelle McCracken
August 2018

​Welcome to you all.  I’d like to thank you for joining us today to acknowledge your role in developing Noelle into the person she is today.  You may wonder why you are here, that perhaps your interactions with Noelle were minimal or peripheral in her development, but rest assured, you played a pivoltal role.  I see that many of you know each other already, and others are finding links of association that, as we say, build the character of an individual.  You will also be amazed to see in our company some who have passed, are present.  This was, of course, necessary for us to develop the full range of input from individuals over the 75 years of her life.  So let us begin …

Parents are the people who most develop a person in her formative years – and their influence extends throughout a lifetime.  Lessons learnt during those formative years – love, commitment, honesty, self confidence, respect and justice are ingrained and learnt almost by osmosis.  Dorothy and Ron also included self-belief, irreverence and a quirky sense of humour.  Unconditional love from doting maternal grandparents also came with doses of great expectations of future excellence.  Six years younger, an unwell sister, developed in her – tolerance, patience and streak of selfishness.

How can we ever evaluate the role of education in the things that shaped us?  Miss Ray, at prep school, who encouraged a love of learning and inquisitiveness; Mr Leckie, school librarian, who encouraged a shy girl to escape into books and challenge her world view.  I see a couple of other teachers here too, with special interest subjects English, art, history and geography – strange, I note, maths and science are not represented.

The workplace, where she learned to adapt and change like a chameleon to suit the requirements of many personalitities and differing environments.  I see some work colleagues here and thank you for attending.  You all aided in her personal development and skills as a competent and effective employee and ultimately, employer.

Her husband John will acclaim that the wonderful person she is, is all his doing.  But, we’ll not go into this.

Children make you change your ideas and challenge some long held beliefs.  The two boys certainly shaped Noelle.  Motherhood offers a range of areas where re-thinking and personality shaping is a necessity.  Along with this are the parenting skills developed, commitment to ‘other’, and being ‘someone who shaped me’ re-played.  Along with social and institutional change, expectations must be reassessed.  Other parents also offer support, information and guidance, re-shaping the original ‘me’.

We must also acknowledge the influence in our lives of our heroes.  Artists, authors, musicians et al, who all in their way have a positive role in the development of the individual psyche.  And our friends and mentors, what incredible influence they have on our personality, trust, health and communication.  Each of you have formed a special bond, developed specific interests, extended expertise, and challenged her to excel but also to be compassionate, caring and responsible.  All so special.

And so, here she is …

Thank you all so much—I cannot believe you are all here, all so much a part of me, it is overwhelming.  Sorry, I am tearing up, forgive me
.
All my life I have tried to please – to be the person you have wanted me to be, and thus, I have often felt fragmented.  Daughter, child, student, wife, mother, friend, work mate, confidant, companion the list goes on.  I have often considered the old television show, when the compere says Will the real Noelle McCracken please stand up? that either 20 people will stand up or no one.

But here I am. 
 

​Noelle McCracken,
May 2018

I have already introduced my eccentric friend Sally to you and mentioned our great adventure whale watching in Quebec.  It warrants further explanation, and certainly I well remember what I was wearing at the time!

We had attended an international zoology conference in Toronto, Canada, and were offered a post-conference whale watching excursion to Tadoussac as part of the package.

Tadoussac is the place where fresh water from the Saguenay Fjord reaches the mighty St Lawrence river.  It is a tiny village, the oldest surviving French settlement in the Americas, with fewer than 900 inhabitants, in Quebec.  Tadoussac Bay is recognised to be among the most beautiful bays in the world,  It is renowned as a whale watching destination.

We stayed at the glamorous Hotel Tadoussac, built in 1865 by rich quebecois and rebuilt and renovated in 1942.  Hotel Tadoussac has for over 70 years welcomed guests from all over the world to experience its historic authenticity and old-fashioned elegance.  Located a stone's throw from the sea and within walking distance of the village, this historic hotel has 149 guest rooms, spectacular views, and a unique dining-room with antique panelling and wall fresco.  Comfortable indeed!

Day one - an expedition on a large vessel up the Saguenay Fjord with its rugged cliffs and breathtaking scenery.  And, of course, the whales - minkes, belugas, grey seals and harbour porpoises.

Day two - out in the bay in a Zodiac.  We are told that Zodiacs get closer to the waves and offer the most exciting, if roughest, rides.  What a challenge!  So at the crack of dawn, well about 6 am, the temperature is 3 degrees; we head down to the wharf.  This is where What I Was Wearing comes in.  A full, yellow (for rescue purposes?) lifesaving outfit.  Not only designed to keep us afloat in case of a capsize, but also to prevent us from freezing!  Topped off with a black beanie usually worn during a bank heist.  Weather forecast not good, and unusually high seas.  Twenty people, ten to each Zodiac, all embark excitedly.  

All nice and calm as we head out of the bay and into the St Lawrence River.  Then pow, three metre waves crashing and tossing us about like corks in a washing machine.  Some passengers panic, pleading to return to shore - back to calmer waters where some were loaded into one Zodiac and the others, more stoic or stupid, stayed in the other.  Then out again for more excitement.  And what excitement!  I have never been so afraid or challenged in my life, before or since!  Our leader said a blue whale could have come underneath us, tipped us over, and we wouldn't have even seen it.  And I was wearing a bright yellow survival suit - sitting on the deck of a Zodiac holding on like grim death to the ropes around the side.

What an adventure - whales - blue, fin back, beluga, minke and porpoises.  The experience of a life time.

From there we headed to New York, another story, for another time.


Noelle McCracken
April 2018

(Would you like to find out more about whale watching expeditions in Tadoussac? - here's an informative link https://offtracktravel.ca/whale-watching-tadoussac-quebec/)