​It was a great relief to find the 'previously thought lost' NEA Marquee in a remote cupboard at NEA the day before 'The Source' event at the Benalla Botanical Gardens on March 23rd!  It's last recorded use.--Violet Town Market in late 2016 when Mervyn, Irina and Meralyn set up at the Violet Town market.

The Source event was imminent, we'd lost our Events Manager somewhere along the way - we had to act!  Valerie Clements, the Gallery Shop team leader, developed a workable concept for our presence at the market after discussion with Bev and others.  Our (still rather large) stock of T-Shirts would be the focus, on sale at reduced prices, along with lots of information about NEA to share with visitors and a selection of stock that would cope with market conditions.  Rodney Horsfall was enthused about taking a second of three NEA sites for a 'Cigar Box Guitars' display and demonstration - what a relief!. Then Rodney realised the market was on a Sunday - he was already committed on the Saturday concerned!  Always helpful, he arranged a selection of his guitars to display among our 'merch'.  Bev located details about set up times and other matters.  The unsinkable Deb Dodd kicked into gear, packing her car with trestles the night before, while Valerie and Bev packed their cars with 'merch' from NEA early on Saturday morning, 

We all 'bumped in' to set up the NEA marquee just as it started to drizzle, to be followed by intermittent light rain.  The marquee was taken out of the pack, the framework erected, but - there was no roof!  Deb returned to NEA to open the shop--sending a text not long after to let us know the roof had been found!  Roof finally in place, T-shirts, NEA pamphlets, Gallery Gig fliers, cards and merchandise were arranged on the tables.  Sadly Rodney's cigar box guitars had to be returned to the car - we were concerned about the impact of the moist conditions on their well being.

A 'gentle' day of chatting to people; sharing information about NEA and spruiking 'NEA T-Shirts' followed. Valerie, Bill and Bev took the occasional sojourn to see other stalls and buy a 'good coffee' from the Red Road Cafe where Lauren and Sam had a busy day.  NEA friends Schloss Ol' Toys and Collectables and 'woodies' David Hall and Chris Seeley were located nearby.  ​

The kestrel hovered above the long grass bordering the airfield, her wings vibrating just enough to keep her position.  The blue sky behind her looked washed clean from the recent rain and the sun rays warmed the boy as he watched silently from his window.

Sam could frequently be found here, gazing upon the bird as she hunted or, watching the gliders from the airfield turn and swoop in the heavens.  Today was no exception as in the last hour at least three had gone up.  He let out a long heavy sigh.

“I want to fly.”  It was little more than a breath on his lips but the longing in his heart felt like stones, weighing him down to the ground.  One glider ride, just one! That’s all he wanted, especially now he was old enough to go. He had long given up begging his mother though.  Dad had been sick for too long and every dollar seemed to be swallowed up on specialists and trips to Melbourne.

“Sam!” his mother’s voice broke his thoughts, “Can you take the recycling out please? Don’t forget the papers in the lounge room.”
 
He roused himself from the sunbeam and went about the job.  As he picked up the newspapers, something caught his eye.  There, on the open page of the paper, was the headline,

“Young Artists can win a Glider Flight.”“No way!” he whispered, scanning frantically through the article to absorb the details.  Yes, he could do this! The glider club was running an Art competition for kids and the prize, well, it was perfect!

Dropping the newspapers back on the coffee table he sprinted back to his room.  The recycling could wait
.
What seemed like hours later, a tired Sam sat before his finished drawing and he was happy with it. He blew off a bit of pencil dust and held it up before him.  It may not be perfect but he was satisfied.  Tomorrow he would drop it off to the Glider club and then, wait.

A month later the day dawned when the winners would finally be announced.  Sam was up early and fidgety.  Would anyone call?  Was his picture good enough?  He picked at his breakfast, he picked at his lunch and still no call.

It wasn’t until he was out gathering kindling for his mum that he heard the phone ring.  He flew back into the house to find a grinning Mum.

“Sam, Bob from the Glider Club is on the phone.”

“Great day for a fly, Sam.  You ready for this?”  Bob smiled at him, while Sam’s heart fluttered with excitement.  It was going to happen!  He, Sam Walsh, was finally going to fly.  With help he climbed into the glider seat.  He was flying with Jim today, who gave him a grin and a thumbs up, then the canopy of the glider was closed over them.  Sam wondered how Mum and Dad might be feeling as they watched.

The tow plane began the journey down the runway, with the glider tagging along behind.  Sam’s mouth was dry, but it was excitement not fear.  When they turned for the take-off, Sam could see his kestrel, hovering on the edge of the field.

“Can you see me?” he thought, “It’s my turn now!”

Take-off was amazing.  He felt the rumbling on the tarmac as the glider gained speed. He marvelled at how the speed pushed him back against his seat and then, that glorious moment when he knew, at last, he was off the ground.  They were climbing higher and higher leaving Benalla a long was down, like a miniature Lego city.

His heart was ready to burst for joy.  He’d never known such a feeling as he had now.  Nothing could take the smile off his face and he breathed in the colder air with delight.  How amazing the ground looked from here!  His body moved with the turn as they swooped left and he knew this was what he wanted to do forever. 

Back on the ground he hugged his parents like he used to when he was little.  They were both teary but smiling, as Bob walked up to them.

“So, how was that Sam?” and Sam poured forth his excited descriptions of the flight.

“Another question for you Sam.  Many kids drew gliders but you didn’t.  What was your inspiration?”

Sam led Bob back out onto the airstrip, and pointed to the far side.  Sure enough, there she was, hovering again in the sunlight for a moment before gliding away over the field.


Ruth Schloss, October 2016

​​This story by NEA founding member Ruth Schloss received runner up in the Open Section of 'The Sky's the Limit' Writing Competition during the October 2016 Benalla Festival.  The topic 'The Sky's the Limit' was set in recognition of the then upcoming World Gliding Championships.  The Gliding championships are more than half way through, we are all sharing our delight at seeing  the gliders circling in thermals on sunny days as they compete, so it seemed timely to publish Ruth's story as an Occasional Blog.