A New Day for Everyone

Gallipoli, Pink Farm Cemetery, Charles Davies Vaughan, Border Regiment

Headstone inscription of Major Charles Davies Vaughan DSO, Border Regiment. Killed 25 April 1915. Pink Farm Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2012)

Three People Never Having Met

Beneath the sky, the moon – the sun – this ground, this coast, valley, or ridge. Along the long, long trail that is our path through Gully Ravine – or our crest at Lone Pine. I return this day to wanderings across places of conflict and to now distant interests. A new voice has encouraged my new words…gifted from Nottinghamshire…connections we find when curiosity is harvested. Our voices, our words, our interests share a common bond…cherish this breath…a new day for everyone.

Scramble, Near W Beach,

The difference between a scramble and a cliff? You can climb a scramble. Near W Beach, Gallipoli.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2012)

First, I watch…then I search…

The camera is placed…the soundtrack begins…the low cries of cattle are heard…our host appears…their voice…grateful to others…it’s in a beautiful location – it’s a bit misty at the minute. I have now found the track to lead this new day…having waited seemingly for days to let go of rainbows…follow, follow the sun…

Now I have searched…now I will listen…

The voice is Australian and with the soundtrack I return to class – Dr. Alkire’s ethnography of Australia…Dr. Welch’s class of Australian filmmakers…this is the Dreamtime…one day perhaps I will stand before Uluru and walk no further, but enjoy this island mountain glow red at dawn – glow red at sunset. From generation to generation…elder to youth…a new day for everyone.

Gully Ravine, Gallipoli

Near the natural rock wall. Gully Ravine, Gallipoli.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2012)

Of all things Australia, and related to my present interests, I witness the race and runners of Peter Weir’s Gallipoli (1981). I learn, with this evening, that Weir’s Gallipoli followed graduation,…and I see again the beaches and ridges, the 2012 hikes we made across steep terrain…difficult narrow paths that I would return to in a single heartbeat…what does your heart say?. I see Crowe’s Water Diviner (2014)…you have to feel it. Çanakkale, Geilbolu…as fast as a leopard. As water is to Tiddalik and Joshua Connor, rainbows are to Kermit and Archy Hamilton…dream with care…

Xavier Rudd…the Australian voice…acoustic in hand…kapo at the fifth…the metronome foot – our heartbeat…harmonica and song. As I listen, I seek the chords, my right hand finds the notes. Like my previous soloist, I do not opt for the original recording but studio live. When this day is done…a new day for everyone…brand new moon brand new sun.

Three people never having met.

Follow the Sun
Xavier Rudd
2012

Follow, follow the sun
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done
Breathe, breathe in the air
Set your intentions
Dream with care
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun
So follow, follow the sun,
The direction of the bird,
The direction of love
Breathe, breathe in the air,
Cherish this moment,
Cherish this breath
Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
Brand new moon, brand new sun
When you feel life coming down on you,
Like a heavy weight
When you feel this crazy society,
Adding to the strain
Take a stroll to the nearest waters
And remember your place
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before you came
So which way is the wind blowin’,
And what does your heart say?
So follow, follow the sun,
And which way the wind blows
When this day is done

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About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and in Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was further amazed by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Film captivated Paul and with time he became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was entranced when he learned Weir had visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. The film "Gallipoli" alone led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii and Gallipoli. It was, however, when Paul watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", that Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests would be a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, he believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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