Happy 3rd Anniversary, my Love!
After great community anticipation, MoPO's inaugural exhibition launches with a celebration of love, dedicated to my partner Bryce, for our 3rd anniversary. ❤️
I'm Simon, the founder of MoPO, and this is my partner Bryce. We live together in North Bondi, just around the corner from the museum. I believe it is important to share a few of the objects most precious to me, before inviting the community to share their precious objects and the stories behind them.
The objects in this exhibition, and in all future exhibitions, are worthless to everyone but their owner. I hope these stories inspire you to consider what is truly precious in your world.
This exhibition covers both the West and East wings of MoPO.
LEVEL 1
WEST WING
Two complimentary tickets to a Jennifer Holliday concert, held at Sydney Town Hall, dated Saturday, 06 July 2019.
On loan from the personal collection of Simon Edds (b. 1979)
This is where it all began.
Back in mid-2019, I'd pretty much completely given up on finding love or a partner in Sydney. I was going on dates, but not really clicking with anyone I met - then along came Bryce. Initially, I saw his profile on Grindr and sent him a message saying something like, "Hey mate, great smile," but he didn't reply. A few days later, his profile popped up again and I decided to send a cheekier message saying, "note to self: he doesn’t like compliments." Bryce thought this approach was funny and we started chatting.
Bryce was fairly new to Sydney and I figured that he might not have many friends here yet, plus it was a Saturday night and I’d been given two free tickets to see Jennifer Holliday perform at Sydney Town Hall, as part of the 2019 Sydney Cabaret Festival. I had no idea if Bryce was into musicals, but when I asked if he wanted to join me, he said yes and we arranged to meet at the top of the Town Hall steps.
Bryce spotted me first, saying later that the light drops of rain on my hair and blazer made me look like I was sparkling. I looked up and saw him waiting for me with a warm smile across his face. He looked so handsome, and a little bit nervous too.
Without any time for some pre-show chat, we went straight to our seats, close to the back of the hall, where we sat quietly throughout the show. Because I was feeling nervous too, I kept my focus on Jennifer’s performance up front. Bryce would later tell me that he snuck some cheeky side glances of me during the show, which made him smile.
After the concert, the rain had stopped and we strolled up Oxford Street for a drink in an underground bar. Talking with him was just so easy. I really felt like he was different to anyone else I'd ever met. So kind, and funny, and just naturally himself. By the end of that evening together, I truly felt like he was the one for me, and thankfully, Bryce felt the same way too!
I've kept hold of these tickets as a reminder of the first time I met the love of my life, and also to remember just how nervous and excited I felt in that moment.
Additionally, ever since this first meeting, whenever we find ourselves in the city together, we always make a detour to climb the stairs of Sydney Town Hall once again and share a kiss at the top. It’s a little tradition we’ve chosen to uphold that lets us celebrate and remember the night we first met.
LEVEL 2
WEST WING
Wooden engagement ring box containing three photos (two are visible, one is hidden)
Crafted by Woodsbury, 2021
On loan from the personal collection of Bryce Connor (b. 1984)
Very early into our relationship, I knew Bryce was the one I wanted to marry, which seems strange because before him, I’d never considered myself being married to anyone. But with him it just felt right. We’d previously shared our thoughts on marriage and knew we were both on the same page. But even when you’re pretty certain they’ll say yes, how do you decide who asks whom? And when is the right time to do it? And in which special place do you ask them?
Despite all the questions, I knew I had to trust my gut on this one - and my gut decided to go big! I’d seen a heap of flashmob proposals on YouTube, and if Bryce had stumbled across my viewing history, he would have picked my plan instantly! I wanted to bring it all back to where we had started; on the steps of Sydney Town Hall, where Bryce and I first met. The Police (who were very supportive and encouraging of my proposal plan) had granted me permission to hold a flashmob there. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir had agreed they’d pretend to be tourists and bystanders sitting on the steps, and when Bryce and I arrived, they’d sing Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’. Our family and friends would then make a surprise appearance, as I’d pull out the ring box, drop down on one knee and ask him to marry me.
But then the COVID-19 lockdowns happened and those plans were cancelled.
In hindsight, the more I think about it, the more I’ve come to realise that Bryce would have hated being the centre of attention and put on the spot like that.
So, I started planning something more intimate. I approached a local chef about preparing a private clifftop dinner for the pair of us. The menu was chosen, and I bought special plates and cutlery for us to use. Then Bryce’s job at sea was extended for another month and I had to delay the proposal date again. In the meantime, the personal chef had become so busy with the opening of his own restaurant that it was no longer possible for him to make this private dinner plan happen. So, the ring box stayed hidden in my desk drawer for a while longer.
Then on Wednesday, 22 December 2021, after a particularly tough day at work in the hospital, I was riding my motorbike home and reflecting on the sick, injured and dying people I had shared time with throughout the day. It got me thinking that if I were to be involved in a serious accident and possibly die, Bryce would never know that I wanted to marry him, or that I’d been planning a special proposal for him for months now.
So, within 20 minutes of arriving home, I decided there was no better time than right now to ask the man I love to marry me. I asked Bryce if he felt like taking a walk up to our favourite lookout, and while he was putting on shoes, I was secretly rushing around to get the ring box out of hiding, put the ring in it and wedge it in my waistband. While walking to the clifftop, I felt awkwardly silent, as I was trying to plan the perfect combination of words in my head to say to him right before I proposed. Everytime he put his arm around me, I was so worried he’d feel the ring box and ask what I was hiding, or why I was acting weird.
When we reached the lookout, Bryce hugged me tightly and started saying all of these really lovely and sweet things to me, and I suddenly thought that he was about to propose to me! He then turned away and said something about getting back home to start making dinner.
I’d missed my moment again, but knew I couldn’t hold off any longer.
Despite all the sweet words I’d prepared escaping me in the moment, I called out to him, “Before we go, there’s something I need to do.” I pulled the ring box out. He turned around to face me. I got down on one knee, and asked the man I love to marry me.
At first, he laughed, not realising I was actually proposing to him for real. When it clicked that I wasn’t joking, we both shed some happy tears. He nodded and said yes, as we both put the ring on him. Excitedly, we hugged and kissed each other on the clifftop, and once we had calmed down, we just sat quietly on the rocky ground, leaning into each other, wondering what happens next.
We strolled home, hand in hand, and made dinner like it was a regular Wednesday night. Afterwards, we made some tea and called our families to share the happy news. It all felt so surreal. I should have organised champagne to celebrate with. A few days later, we shared it on social media and received lots of love and support from everyone.
Inside the ring box, I added a few photos. One is Bryce’s favourite photo of me as a child, wearing a blue shirt, a black bow tie, and a big smile. The second photo is a favourite of mine, showing the pair of us sitting in the afternoon sun on our balcony at home. There’s also a secret third photo behind this one. It’s of a gorgeous golden retriever puppy with its lip caught on its teef. A while back, Bryce had shared this same image with me after I’d had some dental surgery, saying that I looked like this puppy, because I couldn’t feel my face and my lip got stuck on my teef too.
LEVEL 1, LEFT
EAST WING
Used tea bag, camomile with vanilla and honey, featuring text in black biro
Produced by Queen Victoria Teas, 2022
On loan from the personal collection of Simon Edds (b. 1979)
During COVID-19, all of my work in the film industry, and as a Marriage Celebrant, completely dried up. As a result, I was forced to assess what else I could do with my current skills and abilities, and what areas may need updating.
I chose to undertake some tertiary education, which is something I’d avoided since high school, primarily because I didn’t know if I’d be smart enough to do it. I hadn’t gone well in high school, and even though I liked writing, I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to write academically.
All of the studies were done online, which was new to me. I’d never stared at a computer screen for so long my whole life. Initially, I battled against the system, because it didn’t make sense to me, but my lecturers and Academic Support staff persevered and helped me understand what was required. While the research and academic referencing was a challenge, it’s something I grew to really enjoy.
Some days, it felt completely overwhelming and I doubted my own ability, but then Bryce would quietly poke his head through the door and deliver a little snack, or some kind of treat to keep me going. Other times he’d bring in herbal teas, and a hot water bottle during the winter months.
While working on my final essay, I was feeling extra stressed and frustrated, because I wanted it to be really good, but it just wasn’t flowing. Bryce quietly poked his head through the door again and dropped off a tea for me, kissed me on the top of the head and left. It wasn’t until my final sip that I noticed something written on the inside of the tab. I opened it, read it, and gushed with joy from his quiet act of support and encouragement.
He’d written: “🤍U” on the top half, and “I BELIEVE IN YOU!” on the bottom half.
I raced out to the lounge room and gave him an enormous hug. He was really happy that I’d found his hidden message. After this, I got back to my essay writing, eventually completed the work and was awarded a High Distinction (it was on the lowest end of an HD, but it still counts to me.)
Holding on to a used tea bag may seem like something a hoarder would do, but for me it’s a reminder of how one simple act of kindness and love really does have the power to change someone’s world.
LEVEL 1, RIGHT
EAST WING
Childhood photo of Bryce and Billy
Verso: “22 - 2 - 90, 5 years 10½ months” Written by Maree Connor
On loan from the personal collection of Bryce Connor (b. 1984)
This is my favourite childhood photo of Bryce. He’s just so adorable!!
He looks like such a good kid, in his holiday t-shirt, shorts and trainers. The black digital wristwatch on his right hand was probably the first one he owned too. Imagine how excited he was to receive it.
Look at the way he’s hugging the family’s dog with such joy. They look like best friends. The dog’s patient and resolute expression is something to be admired.
I imagine that Billy was happily sitting in a shady spot on the grass, minding his own business, when little Bryce spotted him sitting alone and rushed over to give him a big hug, as best friends do.
I can’t work out what it says on his t-shirt, but it shows a hopping kangaroo, wearing a cork hat to keep the flies away. It looks like the kangaroo is also smoking a pipe and maybe carrying a sealed duffle bag, with a billy can hanging off the end. Some of the text printed on the t-shirt is hidden, but the top half appears to say, “HOP OUTBACK TO”. The destination written on the bottom half of the t-shirt is obscured.
I even love the way the photo has faded with time. This shows it’s been proudly displayed on his Mum’s wall for years, likely placed in a sunny spot that she would pass by daily. Even the frame offers a look into home decor of the ‘90s. I’m glad it hasn’t been updated with something more contemporary. A couple of years ago, Bryce’s Mum gave him this photo so we could display it in our home. It now sits on our bookshelf, surrounded by plants, together with a few of my childhood photos too.
Whenever we meet up with Bryce’s Mum, I love it when she shares stories about what he was like as a child. With my parents not being alive anymore, I feel like Bryce misses out on this same connection to my past. Still, he likes to imagine that I would have been such a good kid too.
LEVEL 2, LEFT
EAST WING
41st birthday card, with coloured foil detail and a message written in black biro
Handmade by Bryce Connor, April 2020
On loan from the personal collection of Simon Edds (b. 1979)
Bryce works away at sea, usually one month on and one month off, which occasionally results in him missing out on special occasions, such as attending weddings, birthdays, concerts, theatre trips, Christmas, New Years’, etc…
For my 41st birthday, we were just shy of being one year into our relationship, and Bryce was away at sea again. On the morning of my birthday, I woke up to a WhatsApp message from him saying, “Wanted you to hear this first thing” He’d added a link to a track on Spotify called ‘Highway’ by an Australian artist named Golden Vessel, which is absolutely beautiful!!
Later, Bryce messaged to ask if I was “ready for a little surprise?” He then sent through four photos of a birthday card he’d made for me while at sea! Easter occurred around the same time, so Bryce had repurposed the coloured foil wrappers of the chocolate eggs he’d eaten to make the letters, numbers and the heart on the face and back of the card!!
With this foil being so flimsy and easy to tear, I still have no idea how he managed to cut everything so perfectly.
Back then, Sydney was in a strict lockdown, where people could only be outside if they were exercising, and only for an hour a day. At the time the photos came through, I was out walking with a friend, who noticed me releasing a very public and audible swoon upon seeing the handmade card. I replied with, “OMG! 😍😍 There’s too many police around to stop and read. Hang on.” I ducked off the path and found some bushes to hide in so I could focus on the words he’d written for me in the card. Cue more swooning.
The message reads:
“To my favourite person in the whole wide world! (it’s you). Happy Birthday! 😋 I wish I could be in those strong arms today more than ever to hold you and tell you just how much I love you plus how incredible you are! Because of you I'm a changed person for the better and different in the best way. I smile more, I laugh more and want to be a better person. So thank you for this.
You bring out the best in me and I'll always try to do the same. You have changed many people's lives for the better and even though I can't be there with you, me along with many loved ones across this globe share the fact that we are sending you all the love to you and celebrating your birth. Have the best day possible my darling man. You truly are the most beautiful, kind, daggy person I know and I'll be by your side no matter the weather, no matter the time. I love you soooooooo much. See you very soon! Your best bestie Bryce xx”
Later in the day, he had flowers delivered to me at home, and also ordered my favourite pizza to be delivered for dinner. I’d never even thought it would be possible to do this while working away at sea. Oh, and this was also the same day he told his then flatmate that we would be finding our own place and moving in together.
So, I keep this card, together with an envelope filled with an assortment of other cards and notes he’s made for me over the years, because I deeply appreciate the time, patience and effort he has put into them, all of which were inspired by love.
LEVEL 2, RIGHT
EAST WING
Stack of six Lonely Planet guide books
Lonely Planet Publications: Central America on a Shoestring (8th edition, 2010); Mexico (12th edition, 2010); Hawaii (11th edition, 2013); New York City (5th edition, 2006); Scandinavia & Baltic Europe (4th edition, 1999); Germany (1st edition, 1998)
On loan from the personal collection of Bryce Connor (b. 1984)
In the years before we met each other, Bryce and I had both travelled a lot independently and had also both lived overseas for several years, so travel and exploration has been a huge part of our lives. By the time we got together in mid-2019, COVID-19 was just around the corner, which would end all non-essential international travel. As a result, the furthest Bryce and I have travelled together so far is up to Brisbane for a long weekend.
By the second year of COVID-19, I began noticing these Lonely Planet guide books appearing in our bookcase. Whenever Bryce would find one left at the community bookshelf on Hastings Parade, he’d bring it home with him. Having something exciting to look forward to, such as a big trip somewhere, is a huge motivator for Bryce. Even though we weren’t able to travel anywhere together at that moment, these books have provided the potential for future travel and adventures that we’d one day be able to experience together.
Of the books he’s collected so far, four of them appear very well-worn. Some of the books have sticky tabs added, or folded corners marking specific pages. Others have handwritten margin notes and ideas scribbled between paragraphs, detailing itineraries and potential accommodations. The Central America book features a map marked in green highlighter that indicates the route taken by some mystery traveller. In the Mexico book, we found a small card that someone had slotted between pages 182-183. The text is handwritten in silver pen on black paper, with gold foil stars on the reverse side.
It reads:
“You put up walls and paint them all a shade of grey and I stood there loving you and wished them all away
And you come away with a great little story of a mess, of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you”
It’s unique personalisations such as these that make second-hand books so special - even more so with travel books. Their pages are meant to be scribbled over with notes, reminders, recommendations, or even poetry detailing a lived experience. They are meant to be dog-eared and thrown into backpacks to tumble around during a big hike. They’re made to be damaged by the spray of a nearby waterfall; by the shot of tequila you don’t remember spilling; by the cliff jump you hadn’t planned to take. And when you’re done, they’re meant to be passed on to someone else, or left on your local community bookshelf, so the lessons learned, and even loves lost, can be shared with a new generation of world travellers.
In my view, a second-hand Lonely Planet guide without at least some damage or personal markings inside is a reminder of a dream never realised and an adventure never had.
I love how Bryce collects these books left behind by others, and how some day we too will be able to add our own notes and leave them behind for someone else to enjoy.
COMING EXHIBITIONS
OCTOBER
Meet the Neighbours (Part 1)
Being the new kid on the block, we thought this would be the best way of getting to know our neighbours.
DECEMBER
Ugly Decorations We Can't Part With
In our first Christmas exhibition, we'll explore the stories behind the neighbourhood's most precious Christmas objects.
Please email MoPO with your stories and photos.
FEBRUARY
Meet the Neighbours (Part 2)
The series continues as we share the lives of the people behind the shops we frequent in North Bondi.
CONTACT US
Feeling inspired to share the story of your own precious object?
Contact us with a message below, or connect with us on socials.
MoPO acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters, culture and community. We share our respect for the First Nations Elders; past, present and emerging.