‘Magpie’ collection

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 16

‘Magpie’ collection

Bv

DERRICK ROONEY

A magpie, according to Dr W. R. B. Oliver in his classic work, “New Zealand Birds,” is a likeable bird, easily tamed, 1 and a good pet to have in the garden. But it sometimes turns aggressive and pulls out 'the flowers.

There is another side to its character, too; it is a bright and inquisitive bird, much given to picking up and hoarding scraps and souvenirs, and it is this side of the magpie’s personality that has been enlivening the Robert McDougall Art Gallery’s “outreach” programme recently. “Collections of a Magpie” is the name of a programme of stories, verse, and songs that the gallery has been taking to a segment of the community with which, previously, it has had minimal contact: the aged.

The “magpie” in the title is Jill Wilcox', a Christchurch woman who is well known in amateur theatrical circles, and who has worked also as a freelance journalist.

Her collection of verse and stories, accumulated over many years, has provided entertainment in recent months for residents of Churchill Courts, Resthaven, the Sunshine Home, and Nazareth House.

The occupational therapy ward of Christchurch Public Hospital has had a visit, too,, and visits are on the schedule for Burwood and Princess Margaret Hospitals. During these visits, the “Collection” has been accompanied by a selection of appropriate art works from the gallery’s permanent collection. The gallery’s education officer (Mrs Anne Betts) selects the pictures, and while displaying them on a port-

able easel she tells the audience of old people about the style of the work, and gives a potted biography of the artist. One of the items usually included in this selection is a photography of Jill Wilcox’s 80-year-old father; it goes on display while she reads her most popular story, “Farm-fresh Memories,” which is about her childhood on a farm in South Canterbury, and which is dedicated tp her father. Mrs Betts said that- the' matron of one home had told her that many of the older generation had their roots in the countryside, and this story had prompted reminiscences which were continuing at the breakfast table the next day. Such a “continuing reaction” had been one of the things the gallery had hoped for when the “outreach” programme was being planned. “Collection of a Magpie” has been taken also to some factories, with encouraging results. When Lane Walker Rudkin, Ltd, lent its lawn for a performance during a recent lunch hour, hidden talents were discovered. One male worker, with some prompting by his friends, ■ Jill Wilcox in a song, and in the cafeteria a cheerful poetess was discovered.

Probably, says Jill Wilcox, many such poets and performers are lying dormant, and if they, are too shy to read their own work she will happilj r do it for them. They can be sent to her at the gallery.

And adds Mrs Betts, any other much-loved poem or story, not necessarily original, is welcome; a good supply of •stories is a guarantee of continued growth and vitality in the programme, ■