Displayed at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery until March 6 2022, the Archibald Prize finalists for 2021 showcased a great variety of painting styles.
The Archibald Prize is Australia’s most prestigious portrait prize, having been awarded since 1921. Named after J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who left a bequeath for the prize it is currently worth $100,000.
Every year the Archibald Prize visits regional centres around Australia, which lets people who can’t get to a major city enjoy the art. This year, Maitland was one of the lucky towns to get the collection for a few weeks.
The Winner Guy Warren at 100 by Peter WegnerPacking Room Prize Winner Kate by Kathryn Longhurst. The painting voted as favourite by the people who unpack and hang the paintingKerry O’Brien All Along the Watch Tower by James PowditchDel Kathryn Barton is a Good Listener by Matthew ClarkeLes by Matthew KentmannFirass by Jeremy EdenFozzy by Julian MeagherMaking Noise by Kirsty NielsonProfessor Mabel Lee by Hong Fu
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
An initiative of the Maitland Council to encourage people to use the Hunter River and visit the Levee Precinct, the kayaks are operated by Lake Mac Kayak and Bike Hire. We hired two double kayaks for us and our two adult children. As well as the kayaks, life jackets are provided.
As suggested by Lake Mac Kayak, we took the following items along. Bringing these items made sure we had a good time on the water, didn’t get sunburnt and got dry afterwards.
a hat
sunscreen
sun glasses
a towel to get dry afterwards
water-friendly shoes – we used Crocks
A zip-lock or waterproof bag for phones to make sure they didn’t get wet.
Having an hour to use the equipment, we went upstream, paddling against the current. Although tiring, this meant we had an easier time on the return travelling with the current.
Seeing the river from this preselected was great, giving us a different perspective of Maitland. We paddled as far as the Belmore Bridge, which was interesting to see if from the underside in the middle of the river.
We had a great time even though we got wet but because we came prepared with towels and a change of clothes we soon dried out. There are chairs to sit on the side of the river also. Paddling on the Hunter River through Maitland was a fun 60 minutes. Check the website or Maitland Council to see if it’s still operating.
So, if you’re looking for something to do, hire a kayak at Maitland and spend a fun 60 minutes on the Hunter River near the Levee in the centre of town.
Hunter RiverView From the Middle of the RiverBridge Over the Hunter RiverKayakers on the Hunter River
Once the main water supply for the Lower Hunter Valley, the Walka Water Works at Maitland is now a public reserve. With free public access, it has barbecues, picnics areas, a playground, walking trails and a 7 1/4-inch gauge miniature railway that operates passenger rides each Sunday.
History of the Water Works
Newcastle and the Hunter Valley’s increasing population during the late 1800’s led to a requirement for a permanent water supply. The Walka site near Maitland was selected for the water works, with construction completed in 1887. Not only was drinking and washing water guaranteed, but it enabled sewerage to be installed, improving the health of the urban population.
As the population continued to grow, additional water sources were developed, such as Chichester Dam. As a result, Walka became a back-up supply from 1923 to 1940. In 1947 the station closed and the pumps and equipment sold for scrap.
Although re-commissioned as a power station in 1956 it finally closed in 1976.
A Public Reserve
Featuring an Italianate architecturally designed structure with an ornate brickwork the pumphouse is the centrepiece of the reserve. With the machinery sold for scrap the interior is empty, but you can admire the outside. We walked around the building and chimney stack before walking to the dam.
Near the dam, a small 7 1/4-inch miniature railway operates on Sundays, taking a small loop before returning to its station. It’s very popular with kids and the young at heart when running. Check to see it its operating before you go to avoid disappointment.
Several walking tracks weave around the dam, providing great opportunities to see some of the 300 species of birds that visit during the year. Still intact, the dam wall forms a large lake that is also home to turtles, some of which we saw sunning themselves on the rocks.
A great place for families to visit for a picnic or barbecue as well as learn about some of Maitland’s industrial past.
The Pump HousePump House ChimneyRear of the Pump HouseFront of the Pump HouseDam WallTwo Turtles in the Dam
