HAZEL BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE
MULTICULTURALISM was very much alive and well in London in the Swinging Sixties, and for Hazel Cope it would prove an inspiring time.
Nerang local Ms Cope, a registered nurse, spent her training in London in the 60s and the people she met inspired her to create her stunning new book Commonwealth of Nations: Anthems and Flags.
As a live-in nurse, the Ms Cope stayed in hostels with people from Kenya, India, and the Caribbean where she mingled and learnt music and singing from friends from all over the Commonwealth.
She cooked multicultural dishes, learned the culture and stories and made lifelong friends. It wasn’t until she was thumbing through a photo album from her time abroad only a few years ago that she had the idea to use her friends’ images as inspiration for her illustrated book on Commonwealth Nations.
Now her real-life friends are immortalised in the book she has spent the last few years carefully creating which depicts the culture, flags and lyrics from the anthems of each nation in the Commonwealth.
“It’s really a celebration of multiculturalism,” the talented illustrator said.
“Many of the faces are actual people I know, that have come straight from my photo album.
“Many people associate the Commonwealth Games with Australia and England but forget about all the other nations that are not so well known in this country.
“It would make a great piece of memorabilia for the Commonwealth Games and I am pleased it has been finished in time for the Games.”
Ms Cope, who has worked in palliative care for 20 years and has been a nurse for 47 years, said the book had always been a dream of hers to finish after completing her PHD.
“I was watching the (Sydney) Olympics on the television and I got goosebumps,” she said.
“Seeing all the athletes and their smiling faces, it was a real celebration.
“That was how it (the book) began to come together, that was part of the initial inspiration.”
The mixed media artworks from the book are also on display at Australia Fair Shopping Centre.
Ms Cope will be at Australia Fair, Southport, promoting the book and signing copies throughout the Commonwealth Games. Commonwealth of Nations:
Anthems and Flags is available to purchase at Dymocks at Pacific Fair and selected shops at Australia Fair.
MANY OF THE FACES ARE ACTUAL PEOPLE I KNOW, THAT HAVE COME STRAIGHT FROM MY PHOTO ALBUM HAZEL COPE