Comedians in town
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Ray O’Leary, known from Taskmaster, toured Australia and New Zealand with his show Your Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger, stopping in Shepparton.
O’Leary's performance promised new jokes and his signature deadpan style.
Meanwhile, Urzila Carlson brought her Just Jokes tour to Shepparton, offering a wilder experience than her TV appearances.
Comedy troupe Sooshi Mango also returned to Shepparton with their Home Made tour, featuring beloved characters and a high-energy performance.
Each act highlighted Shepparton’s growing appeal as a comedy destination, offering audiences unique and memorable experiences.
Take two for It Takes Two
In It Takes Two: Volume Two, the Skurrie family — Jackie, Jarrod and daughter Stevie Renee — performed together, continuing their shared stage journey.
Stevie, who grew up performing with her parents, encouraged them to join the show.
Also in the show, Anthony Brophy and Matt Dowling revived their popular ABC radio segment, Broph’s Vinyl Vault, for the concert.
The duo aimed to recreate their nostalgic magic on stage, despite Brophy’s limited stage experience.
Both acts highlighted the community spirit and creative collaboration within the Shepparton Theatre Arts Group.
International film festival goes regional
The Melbourne International Film Festival visited Shepparton from August 16 to 25, featuring 10 films at Village Cinemas.
Artistic director Al Cossar, who began volunteering for the festival in 2009 and became its director in 2019, curated a diverse line-up appealing to cinephiles and families.
Cossar emphasised the joy and importance of collective movie-watching experiences.
The festival included films such as Memoir of a Snail, Kneecap and Copa 71, offering a mix of Australian and international highlights.
Special events and appearances by filmmakers enriched the program. The festival aimed to foster a love for cinema through its varied offerings, providing Shepparton audiences with a unique cultural experience.
Chocolate Starfish
Chocolate Starfish frontman Adam Thompson brought the band’s Best of Everything tour to Shepparton, in his home region, on July 26.
The tour, starting June 21, spanned 24 shows across five states.
Thompson expressed excitement about performing in both grand venues and intimate regional settings.
The tour featured hits from Chocolate Starfish’s debut album and other favourites, celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary.
Thompson, turning 60, noted the band’s growing appeal to younger fans and emphasised the audience’s role in their performances.
The tour aimed to deliver the best of Chocolate Starfish’s music to their dedicated fans.
The News’ new projects
The News introduced two exciting new products: the Shepp Happens podcast and Heart the Art magazine.
Shepp Happens, a fortnightly podcast hosted by journalists Nicola Ceccato and Djembe Archibald, aimed to engage younger audiences with lively discussions on local happenings and interviews with community figures.
The podcast featured contributions from young locals, including music by Adem Shaholli.
Meanwhile, Heart the Art magazine celebrated the creativity of 23 Goulburn Valley artists, offering readers a glimpse into their artistic processes and achievements.
Released on August 16, the magazine was available inside The News and Riverine Herald.
It coincided with a joint artist exhibition at Shepparton Brewery, showcasing the featured artists’ works.
Kaitlyn Martin
Kaitlyn Martin, a 17-year-old from Shepparton, showcased her talent on The Voice, overcoming personal challenges and gaining national recognition.
While she was initially shy, Kaitlyn’s blind audition featured Ariana Grande’s rendition of Over the Rainbow, earning her three chair turns and a spot on Adam Lambert's team.
Despite losing a battle round, Kaitlyn triumphed over self-doubt, finding confidence and acceptance.
Her journey on The Voice marked a turning point, inspiring her to pursue music further.
Back in Shepparton, she focused on creating original music, supported by family, teachers and newfound fans.
Kaitlyn’s experience on The Voice affirmed her identity as a singer and set the stage for her promising future in music.
Little Shop of Horrors
Anson Kearney returned to the stage after an eight-year hiatus, starring as Seymour in Shepparton Theatre Arts Group’s Little Shop of Horrors.
Anson, who began acting at seven, rekindled his passion theatre through a chance encounter with director Helen Janke.
Despite initial doubts, he embraced the role, finding personal resonance with Seymour’s character.
The production fostered connections with fellow cast members, including Stevie Renee as Audrey.
Meanwhile, Dale Janke, a local theatre veteran, returned as Mr Mushnik, finding creative fulfilment despite health challenges.
Tricia Baggs, the musical director and voice of Audrey II, brought her extensive musical background to the production, emphasising community and collaboration.
The show highlighted the talents and dedication of Shepparton’s theatre community, offering audiences a unique and engaging experience.
Comedy in the Vines returned
Comedy in the Vines returned to Mitchelton Wines in Nagambie from November 8 to 10, transforming the venue into a hub of laughter, entertainment and culinary delights.
Festival director Merrick Watts highlighted the event’s blend of comedy, wine, and food as a shared experience akin to enjoying a meal with friends.
The festival featured UK comedian Jen Brister, a podcast room, wine master classes, and ‘An Idiot’s Guide to Wine’ by Watts, combining humour with wine tasting.
A unique 5km fun run included wine tastings at each kilometre.
SAM’s big year of art
Shepparton Art Museum announced the 2024 SAM Fresh winners, with Gabriella Vittorio and Kat Parker receiving the La Trobe University Award and People’s Choice Award, respectively.
Vittorio's digital drawing, Lunchtime, explored multicultural experiences, while Parker's 3D lino cut, Discarded III, depicted an extinct bird.
Both works captivated audiences with their creativity and skill.
Meanwhile, SAM’s major exhibition, The Land is Us: Stories, Place and Connection, featuring works from the National Gallery of Victoria, concluded on September 1.
The exhibition showcased diverse perspectives on Australia’s relationship with the land, including pieces by Frederick McCubbin, Brook Andrew and Ben Quilty.
Faraday: A Community Rediscovered
Robyn Howarth, a survivor of the 1972 Faraday State School kidnapping, reclaimed her story with her book, Faraday: A Community Rediscovered.
The book detailed her childhood in a tranquil farming community and the traumatic abduction she endured at age 10.
Despite media focus on the crime’s drama, Robyn emphasised the lasting impact on the victims.
Her book tour across the Goulburn Valley aimed to share her journey to peace and encourage others to speak about trauma.
Robyn’s experience as a maternal and child health nurse helped her empathise with others facing trauma.
Writing the book provided her with closure and a renewed sense of identity.
Her author talks took place from October 2 to 4, with books available for purchase.
Shepp News