Trim the Cat

While looking for more cat-themed paintings, I came across what is considered to be Australia’s most famous feline: a black-and-white cat called Trim, who accompanied explorer Matthew Flinders on his voyage around the coastline of Australia. Trim was a true seafaring cat, born aboard the ship in 1799 and made a favourite for his grit, intelligence and cheeky personality.

The plaque at the Mitchell Library in Sydney has this moving dedication written by Flinders in memory of his cat:


The best and most illustrious of his race
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers


Top Ten Tuesday – Book Villains

Villains: you love them, you hate them, your favourite books wouldn’t be the same without them. This week’s topic from That Artsy Reader Girl is dedicated to the best of the worst.

As an aside, when making this list I had to separate the literary villains from their film versions. Someone like Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs is memorable to me mainly because of Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal rather than the original novel, so these are my favourite picks based on books alone. 

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1001 Frames – Film Review

An experimental thriller shot in Iran, 1001 Frames feels universal as it explores the abuse of power that could have happened anywhere in the world. A good pick from the Melbourne International Film Festival line-up.

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Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua / Two Worlds – Film Review

Melbourne International Film Festival is on and I’ve signed up for a bunch of movies. First up, I saw this documentary about Kiwi singer-songwriter Marlon Williams and his journey to connect with his Māori heritage.

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