Marilyn in Bendigo

Bendigo's profile has been vastly magnified by the transient arrival of Marilyn, seen here standing posed balanced on a park railing.

Bendigo is an enjoyable place in autumn. We made our overnight way via Heathcote, where we paused to sample some of the local and not so local wines. In fact the outlet of M.Chapoutier led us to taste and buy his shiraz offerings  from the Victorian Pyrenees (Shay's Flat) and the Rhône (Crozes-Hermitage). He does have a Bendigo vineyard at Jasper Hill but those farflung items, knowledgeably displayed and discussed, attracted us most. We did also buy some local provenance bottles from a hub outlet for Wild Duck Estate, Downing Estate, and Hennings.

Our overnight stay was spent at Langley Hall,  the residence of the first bishop of Bendigo, a stately home which has also been a sometime orphanage.

  The "chapel room" was very large and comfortable and breakfast was traditional and generous.

Our dinner was taken at Masons of Bendigo, setting a fine food standard.






The Marilyn exhibition at the Art Gallery was much more than a collation of her film wardrobe and film clips: it was a 3D biography of a talented thespian who was both overvalued for the obvious and undervalued for her potential. A couple of her books showed an unexpected taste in reading about serious life matters. It gave us sympathy for the person, a wish to learn more about her, and regret that she did not grow old. The curator does not exaggerate in saying "This comprehensive exhibition brings together authentic artefacts, clothing and other objects belonging to, or worn by Marilyn. More than 20 original film costumes from some of Marilyn’s greatest films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire and Love Nest feature alongside numerous dresses and accessories from Marilyn’s personal wardrobe."

 We took the back roads home through some scorched and parched country and down the Burke & Wills Track to Granite Hills estate in the Macedon Ranges. A lengthy sojourn with the self-effacing and produce boosting winemaker Gordon Knight, a favourite source of ours we rarely visit, caused our home wine stock to be declared full for quite some time to come.

Alexandra Fountain, named for Alexandra, Princess of Wales whose sons, Princes Albert and George, attended the opening ceremony on 5 July 1881