Arts scene attracts ex Timaruvian

Melbourne may only be a few hours by jet plane from New Zealand, but for former Timaru woman Eleanor Riley, it is a city that has been pulled nearer to Europe by its large immigrant population.

Since making her home in the city's arty suburb of Brunswick three years ago, the 26 year-old has combined her vocation as a dancer with work in the city's vibrant arts scene as a ticketing manager.

An old girl of Waimataitai School, Timaru Girls' High and Roncalli College, Ms Riley left Timaru in 2000 to study at the University of Otago, before moving to Auckland to study towards a degree in contemporary dance at Unitec.

Enticed across the Tasman by the greater opportunities for dancers, she says the prospect of missing family and friends was assuaged by the fact that a sister and two young nieces were already living in Melbourne.

Indeed, she regards Melbourne as "an extension of New Zealand" with the benefit of cheap and quick flights home, but having a cosmopolitan feel as a result of its large Greek and Italian communities.

She rides a bicycle "pretty much everywhere I need to", taking in the city's long and narrow, brick and terraced homes, and exploring its hidden secrets - shops and cafes tucked away in alleyways.

Ms Riley has earned a living by working a series of contracts for Auckland-based dance company Vospertron, which combines neon-lit costumes and multimedia content for performances at corporate events.

"When they get a contract here in Melbourne I organise the dancers and rehearse with them. If they get a major gig overseas, I'll head back to Auckland and rehearse with the rest of the company, then travel with them."

Last year, she spent two months touring with the company through the major cities of Spain.

In between these contracts she works as a ticketing manager at major arts festivals in Melbourne.

She says the high point of her life in Melbourne has been finding her house mates - "amazing" people that like her, live and work in the art warehouse community in Brunswick.

Do you know South Canterbury people doing interesting things overseas? Phone Guy Williams on (03) 687-9228 or email guy.williams@timarucourier.co.nz to share their adventures.