reproduced with the kind PERMISSION of qvmag

Introduction

In early March 2020, just prior to strict coronavirus lockdown measures being announced and implemented in Tasmania, we were able to visit an exhibition at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) in Launceston entitled “Majorie Bligh – Domestic Goddess”. We had long been fans of Marjorie’s work and were very pleased to see the exhibition on her life just before it closed due to COVID – 19.

But Who Was Marjorie Bligh?

The QVMAG website, in its description of the exhibition, sums this up nicely, and gives a good overview of the displays.

“Marjorie Bligh is a Tasmanian icon, well-known for her advice on household management, craft, cooking, gardening, and even relationships. Through 96 years, she made a lasting impact on generations of Tasmanians, and even had an effect on Barry Humphries' famous housewife Dame Edna Everage. Marjorie Bligh: Domestic Goddess looks at Marjorie's life, from her early years in Ross and home-making in Campbell Town, to her later celebrity in Devonport.

The exhibition showcases many of Marjorie's handmade items, collections, mementos from travel, scrapbooks, personal photographs, signed editions of her books, and numerous awards. In particular the exhibition focusses on her thrift and use of recycled material. It features a reproduction of her guest bedroom and a craft space, so you too can recycle materials like Marjorie. If you were already familiar with Marjorie Bligh, prepare for a trip down memory lane. If you have not encountered her work, get ready for a surprise!”

The exhibition

It was with keen anticipation we arrived at the entrance to QVMAG.

The themes of the exhibition were: Who was Marjorie?; Matrimony; In the Community; Home Maker; Hand Crafts; Recycler; Author; Collector; 'Gallivanting'; Remembering Marjorie.

The exhibition begins at the beginning, with Marjorie’s childhood in the town of Ross in northern Tasmania. She was born Marjorie Pearsall.

We even have access to Marjorie’s innermost thoughts via her diary entries.

Marjorie married three times. Her first husband was Cliff Blackwell, who she married in 1938 aged 21. They had two sons, Gerald and Ross.

After divorcing Cliff, she married Adrian Cooper in 1966, a married ex-minister with five children. Scandal!

Adrian died of a heart attack in 1970. In 1976 she married Eric Bligh and they remained together until Eric’s death in 1999. By then Marjorie was 82 years old.

The exhibition includes some great quotes from the formidable Marjorie.

She was renowned for her craftwork and use of recycled materials. Nothing was ever wasted.

Bedspread made from recycled fabric from other projects and clothing

Bolster or cushion made from repurposed men's ties

Shopping bag made from bread bags

Bread bag clip crucifix

Cally and I went to the exhibition with our friend Anne, who was visiting from Sydney.

A crocheted scone holder. Solves the age old conundrum of how to present scones in an unforgettable fashion.

these were all made from recycled stockings

cally looking enviously at this ATTRACTIVE knitted patchwork dressing gown.

Marjorie and Eric were keen travellers in later life.

marjorie’s impressive thimble collection acquired through her travels

There has long been speculation that Marjorie was the inspiration for Dame Edna Everidge. The exhibition puts this to bed with a firm no, but Barry Humphries was certainly an admirer of Marjorie.

Top Tips

Some of our favorite tips from Marjorie. These come from the publication Homely Hints on Everything (Third Edition). Page references provided.

Diarrhea Cure: Dilute a teaspoon of vinegar in some water and drink it, or eat grated apple, or drink hot water off cooked carrots at meal times. p12

Eyes Puffy: Make small pads of peeled grated potato covered with thin gauze and relax with one on each eye for 30 minutes. p14

Hangover Cure: Half teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, pinch salt, squeeze lemon juice and one egg. Put all in a glass (don’t beat egg), close your eyes and down in one gulp! p18

Leeches: When bushwalking take a jar of Vegemite with you. It puts the leech out of his misery faster than salt will ever do. p22

Warts Cure: Put banana skin on them, white side down, and leave for several days, or until they go away. p34

Goldfish: Fish thrive on porridge cooked with a pinch of salt – whether outdoors or in. p43

Pigs (stomach disorder): A friend of mine gave raspberry cordial to one of her pigs and it soon got better. p45

Bathing Suit: If your small daughter has outgrown her one-piece swimsuit, don’t discard it, cut it in half at the waistline, hem it, then thread elastic through the lower half. You will now have a fashionable two piece. p49

Children’s Knees and Hands: Children’s knees and hands that are dirty are easily cleaned by rubbing them with a cloth dipped in brass cleaner. p50

Photograph of Baby: When he’s able to sit up for a photograph, stick some cellulose tape on the palm of his hands. The antics while trying to remove it are delightful. p55

Beauty Tip: Raw potato juice taken internally helps to improve the condition of the skin. p251

Elbows: Blend a few drops of salad oil, lemon juice and honey and rub into elbows several times a day. p257

Eyes Sparkling: Place a used teabag over each eye and relax 10 minutes. (Keep bags in fridge so they will be cold.) p257

frida the dog isn’t convinced of the efficacy of this

Fringe Cutting: When cutting a fringe, put sticky tape across forehead and cut on edge. Result will be a straight line. P263

Hair (falling out): Rub with cut onion frequently. P267

Apron (novel): Nine men’s ties sewn together make a nice waist apron. p408

Bedspread (novel): Make one from your souvenir tea towels. P409

Dressing Gown (worn): Cut top off, just below arm holes, bind edge and you have a warm knee rug. P411

Toilet Roll Cover: Can be made from the leg of a man’s sock by adding a doll to the band (or top of sock). p420

Conclusion

Having taken in all we could about Marjorie’s amazing life and work we decided to get a bit of fresh air and took at walk around Cataract Gorge, one of Launceston’s premier tourist attractions.

Cataract Gorge Walk

The exhibition was great. If life ever returns to some sort of post-coronavirus normal and QVMAG continues with the exhibition we’d definitely recommend it. QVMAG is free entry and has a lot to see in terms of both permanent and temporary displays. If visiting Launie it’s well worth a visit, even if Marjorie isn’t on show.

Thank you to QVMAG for giving us permission to use the banner shot of Marjorie Bligh - Domestic Goddess, and being supportive of us publishing this post.

Here’s a link to the QVMAG website.

While it is tempting to focus on some of the more off-beat advice from Marjorie’s vast body of work (yes, we’re a bit guilty of this here) the underlying message of Marjorie is as relevant today as ever. Let’s not waste resources – we should all reuse and recycle, and be as self-sufficient as possible. If we all did this we would be doing a lot to help look after our planet.

Thanks Marjorie.

Ken and Cally