| Party 2008 |
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The strengths of the founders, of the pioneers, meets greed, pomposity and stupidity.
Writing on the wall? A weak gesture boys and girls - the conspicuously absent poli's needn't have felt intimidated - the obvious reply" Well - where were YOU and your -Participatory Democracy Ten years ago?"
The Party of the year in Cairns 2008 was Yacht /Aquatic Club Mad Hatters!
A bold new era for far North Queensland?- NOT!
Closing night of the Cairns Aquatic Club was the Who's Who of Cairns. Old people - young people- pirates, publicans, pissheads, people from Cairns, and people who like letting the hair down in Queensland's unique local atmosphere.
Confused American -fresh off the plane "Pig on a what?" "Spit- Mate!"
And let's not forget -the last "Grab a Granny" Saturday night dance.
The end of one era of Cairns ushers in a new one. Perhaps more cynical, perhaps less naive and hopefully - less complacent. It also puts behind us the grubby brown-paperbag mentality -the racism, the corruption - and that 'deep-north' tag that stigmatised the region interstate and internationally.
What is considered a betrayal even a travesty of justice kept a few community members away from the fare-well party. 1000's of voters let down by local, state and federal governments prioritising economics above community. MUSEUM PROJECT
Catch em being good... Di Forsyth and Wendy Richardson were not only present but present on that famous dance-floor reflecting their participatory interest in Cairns Community and Heritage.
Maiia: Cairns people were out in force - neatly timed to coincide 2008 Festival of Cairns. We didn't hear fireworks over the music and celebration. Sharing, love and respect with the good old faces. Heritage, family tradition and established bonds from generations before the international airport bought in tourists 'n' oppurtunists.
Maiia: The value of continuity and community culture is a common theme in arts world-wide. The underdog. Community vs the opportunistic capitalism.
The strengths of the founders, of the pioneers, meets greed, pomposity and stupidity.
Straight off the top of my head - Barber Shop- and the big Aussie one THE CASTLE or the one with Mick Malloy and the Bowls Club Crackerjack.
Charlie Chaplin's Tramp character
Like an Acorn becomes an Oak, the Yacht Club was built by citizens after a cyclone.
Llike Chaplin grew from nothing to one of the most significant figure of 20th Century - But even a genius can't fight city hall.
The archetype of the little guy belongs to Chaplin himself and The little Tramp.
Like a mighty tree, or a humble community hall, Chaplin stood up for his humanistic beliefs even going so far as to parody Hitler (who was a fan) Chaplin was cut down, black-listed, disparaged as a 'communist' and dismissed from America - even written out of the history books... but the Melody Still Lingers On.
Chaplin lived another 40 years, a family man away from the spotlight.
"Finally in 1972, after being given the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honour, and recieving a special award at Cannes 25th Film Festival the year before. The Film Society of the Lincoln Centre and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts invited him to America to recieve an honourary Oscar in recognition of his services to filmmaking.
The Homecoming by Candice Bergen - (at 83 years of age)
"A waiter helped him up from his chair, confiding "Mr Chaplin, I was your waiter in '52, when you were here the last time - it's wonderful to have you back."
"They all love you Charlie," someone said
"Yes but they loved Kennedy too" he said softly."
"Charlie and Oona (his wife) watched the Oscar show on TV backstage in a dressing room pointing excitedly to old friends in the huge audience. He was relieved. He had been afraid nobody would come.
'Afterward, as he talked about the ceremony, his eyes were bright and child-like, wide with wonder and glee. "It almost made me cry - and this one," he cocked his head at a beaming Oona, "this one kept say, "Oh, don't snivel"
"It was so emotional and the audience - their emotion. I thought some of them might hiss, but they were so sweet - all those famous people, all those artists. You know they havent done this to me before. It surpasses everything."
More and more he began to look like an English schoolboy, grinning impishly, rolling his eyes up innocently, pointing a freckled hand hand to himself, ", announcing playfully "The genius..."
Suddenly summoning that old agility, he flew from his chair. Eyes twinkling, he said with mock impatience - "Let's go celebrate for God's sake!"
And happily humming his song "Smile" he took Oona's arm and stepped grandly through the door."
- from The Legend of Charlie Chaplin. Collected and introduced by Peter Haining W. H Allen. London. 1982
Maiia earlier in the day of the unpopular closure of Cairns Yacht Club...
"We say we should catch up with one another more often. Instead of waiting for a funeral. This time it's a celebration but nobody's died - that's good."
Billy French "It's the funeral of the Yacht Club"
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