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INTRODUCTION
Australia Day for me, is about taking some time out to look at, how fortunate we are to be able to live in a free and multi cultural society and democratic country, such as Australia. It’s a time to reflect on those that have offered us inspiration; reflect on those that go quietly about doing good for others with little recognition; and to take part in the pleasures of spending time with family and friends.
Abstract Painting No. 59 – ‘Brighton Bathing Boxes’ Acrylic on Canvas – 105cms Length x 60cms Wide x 3cms Deep by Abstract Painting Karen Robinson Jan 2015.JPG
AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
It is also a time in the year, where Australia recognises the inspirational actions of fellow Australians with the nomination of:- an Australian of the Year; a Senior Australian of the Year; a Young Australian of the Year; and an Australia’s Local Hero. This process of highlighting the good in humanity serves as reminder to what we as a nation need to strive for, each and every year. We need to never stop working towards a better us…
No. 3 Brighton Bathing Boxes – Melbourne – Australia Day Weekend 2015 Photographed by Karen Robinson.JPG
AUSTRALIA DAY: UNSUNG HEROES OF OUR NATION
And it’s a time to not forget the many Australians that each year, give of their time and energy to others in the way of volunteering. In Australia, approximately 5.2 million volunteers contribute to the wider community, totally approximately 713 million hours of unpaid work, every year! (Macklin. J. 2008). In the year 2012, I was very fortunate to be asked to take part in a Herald Sun Newspaper feature article and group photo called “Australia Day: Unsung heroes of our nation“. It was about a group of 12 people of all ages and walks of life, just ordinary Australians who volunteer their time in order to give back to their communities.
Joyce McDonald, 81 of Myrtleford; John Neamontis, 76 of Malvern; Austin Omann, 11 of Mornington; Cheryl O’Hanlon, 59 of Elsternwick, Primrose Holland, 21 of Williamstown, Rebecca James, 13 of Lalor; Teng Bath, 28 of Fitzroy; Brad Crewe, 34 of Melbourne; John Johnson, 66 of East Keilor; Nicola Vaughan, 35 of Williamstown; Megan Wolsky, 17 of Berwick; and there was myself Karen Robinson, back then I was 56 of Attwood.
![Herald Sun. (2012, January 26). Australia Day: Unsung heroes of our nation. [Photo ID: 836463-unsung-heroes.jpg]. Retrieved 26th January, 2015 from http://www.news.com.au/national/unsung-heroes-of-our-nation/story-e6frfkp9-1226253830705 NB: Karen Robinson middle row, on right in red shirt.](https://idoartkarenrobinson.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/836463-unsung-heroes.jpg)
Herald Sun. (2012, January 26). Australia Day: Unsung heroes of our nation. [Photo ID: 836463-unsung-heroes.jpg]. Retrieved 26th January, 2015 from http://www.news.com.au/national/unsung-heroes-of-our-nation/story-e6frfkp9-1226253830705 NB: Karen Robinson middle row, on right in red shirt.
BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES AT DENDY STREET BEACH – A Favourite Australia Day destination for the customary Aussie BBQ Lunch!
I particularly love the above photo which was taken in front of an iconic Brighton Bathing Box at Dendy Street Beach which is approximately 13 km south of the city of Melbourne. The first of these bathing boxes was built in1862 and today there are approximately 80 bathing box’s lining the shore line. It’s locality is a favourite with tourists; and particularly on Australia Day, tourists, families and friends get together for the customary Aussie BBQ lunch.
PHOTO TAKING OF THE ICONIC BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES
Photo taking is one of my art for therapy activities and with my husband, we drove to Dendy Street Beach this 2015 Australia Day weekend and took a series of photos of the iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes and its surrounding area. As an abstract artist and photo-taker, I was particularly interested in the amazing colours of the bathing boxes themselves and how the owners of them had used their artistic imagination to give each one an individual personally!
Melbourne – Awarded ‘The most liveable city in the world’
ABSTRACT PAINTING OF THE ICONIC BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES
On my return home, I decided to do an abstract painting that reflected the sun, sea, sand and the amazing colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes.
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CONCLUSION
Happy Australia Day….Australia!
Ref Link: Macklin. J. 2008. https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/volunteering_in_australia.pdf
Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
ido art karen robinson 
I visited this place months ago! I wish I were there, I hope to come back to Melbourne one day…:)
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Hi Viviana…so glad you like my home town Melbourne. It has been ranked the most liveable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveability survey of 140 cities which is really saying something about Melbourne…warm regards Karen Ref Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-19/melbourne-worlds-most-liveable-city-for-the-fourth-year-running/5681014
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Wonderful post and beautiful painting! Really enjoyed the photos of the bathing boxes! I had never heard of them before.
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Thanks for commenting, much appreciated and yes the bathing boxes in the 1800’s were not only in Australia but concurrently on the beaches of England, France and Italy and bathing boxes exist in Europe today. They were originally designed to offer swimmers a place to change and in the Victorian times, they were know as the morality bathing boxes. Today they are used to store beach supplies, beach apparel etc – things a family might need when visiting the beach for the day. In February 2014, No 34 Bathing Box Dendy Street Beach Brighton sold for $ 172,500 – they are a luxury item for the well off! … warm regards Karen
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