I was researching something else, and came across the quote by Robert Haddon (see below for bio) I’ve paraphrased in my haiku – the defeat of winter is necessary for the coming of spring.
Very appropriate given we’re at the changeable part of the year – one day summer, the next winter.
The time of year when it’s common to complain about the way winter just keeps hanging on. And summer (let alone the spring we just keep missing) might never arrive.
But the “defeat of winter” is such an elegant and interesting way to express the sentiment we’re all feeling.
Partly because it’s true – there isn’t spring without winter.
And in these days of talk of rampant climate change…
- how it will affect power supplies
- the financial hit
- how it’s changing ocean currents
- how early heat is stressing the trees
- and what to wear
and partly because the last time it snowed where I live was during the second world war, and since then, the local micro climate has changed through tree felling and construction of more and more dwellings such that it seems as through there will soon be only two seasons. A longish winter, and a longish summer.
It’s horrific.
Especially given Latrobe University cut down 350 large trees to install solar panels, a conflict between existing carbon sequestration and new power. I’m not sure what they’re doing to reduce their energy consumption, or whether they have exisiting solar or wind installation on university roofs, but cutting down the trees will change the local environment and increase the heat at the local level.
I don’t know, but I wonder what they did in terms of risk/benefit analysis, computer modelling, and consultation, or whether they just went ahead and did it. Destroying the local environment for the sake of the global environment and their net zero commitment.
I’m also glad we planted some new trees and shrubs in our garden over the weekend, though it will take 50 years before they benefit the environement.
I wonder if we have enough time.
For more Haiku, click here.
Robert Haddon Bio
Robert Joseph Haddon (1866-1929) was an English architect who emigrated at age 25 to Australia in 1889. He lived in Melbourne initially, but moved for work through South and Western Australia, before returning to Melbourne. He created a lot of council buildings, was the head of the archecture school at the Melbourne Technical College (now the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) for a while.
While he opened an architectural practice, much of his work was on a consulting basis, so he isn’t credited with much of his work. His style is characterised by ornanted plain surfaces, balanced asymmetry with windows of various sizes placed into plain surfaces, and these details make his work distinguishable from others. If you know what you’re looking for.
He’s credited with developing a distinctly Australian version of the European Arts and Crafts movement. His architecture includes the former headquarters of the Fourth Victoria Building Society (241 Collins St), the Malvern Presbyterian Church (161 Wattletree Road), and his own home Anselm.
Robert Haddon self-published a date book for his friends in 1927. And when I say self-published, I mean found a printer and bound the books with leather. I’ve collected the images together with the intention of printing them like I did with Australia Felix. Stay tuned!