Monday, November 29, 2010

Dan Castle's film Newcastle

A short post to record two things:

7 comments:

Greg said...

Jim, I had not previously seen that piece by Matthew Endacott in the National Times. It is a passionate and well written piece that encapsulates the frustrations of Novocastrians with Sydney's dismissive attitude towards the north.

Jim Belshaw said...

You know, Greg, I had cut it out because I thought it was so well written, but then it got submerged in the chaos of my home office. I only found it again today when I was tidying up.

It does so capture the sense of dismissal and frustration from a proud Novocastrian. We have to present and represent this type of material because it shows noth the sense of distinct identity and the reasons why that is important.

Mark said...

I've got printouts of that bit of writing pasted all over work. I've had plenty of positive comments about it too.

Jim Belshaw said...

Good stuff, Mark.

Jim Belshaw said...

You know, both, I am still excited about the roll we are getting going.

Newcastle can't be the capital because there are too many fears that it would just be a reapeat of Sydney dominance. That is why the capital was to be inland. But Newcastle can be the powerhouse, dragged out from Sydney's shadows, reinforcing the rest.

We need to start spelling this out so Newcastle people can see and feel it.

Greg said...

You maybe right Jim. Personally, I no longer care where the capital is located, though I can well understand the arguments against Newcastle.

The disenchantment of the largest city of the north is a real factor in our favour this time.

Jim Belshaw said...

I think that I'm with you there Greg. I'm just making a judgement about on-ground realities. As I said, we need to define Newcastle's role, the way it can develop.