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Regional Arts Volunteer Award Winners Announced

9-Jun-2010

The valuable work that volunteers contribute to the artistic and cultural lives of their communities across regional Australia is being recognised with Regional Arts Australia recently announcing the 2nd Volunteer Award winners for each state.

Executive Director of Regional Arts Australia Ms Ruth Smiles says the Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Awards “aim to recognise, reward and encourage regionally-based arts and cultural volunteers who have made a substantial contribution to the arts in regional communities in Australia”.

Award recipients now have the opportunity to receive their award at Regional Arts Australia’s national conference Junction 2010 which is to be held in Launceston (TAS) from 26-29 August 2010. Each recipient will receive a commissioned artwork by Tasmanian artist Sonja Hindrum, presented by the Patron of Regional Arts Australia, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, at the conference dinner.

The total prize package for each recipient is valued at over $1,800 including the commissioned artwork, a registration to Junction 2010, as well as their travel and accommodation costs.

Volunteers in each state and territory were able to nominate in the following categories:

• Sustained Contribution Award -To recognise and reward a regionally-based arts volunteer who has made a significant contribution to the arts in regional Australia over a period of five years or more.
• Outstanding Contribution Award - To recognise and reward a regionally based arts volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to an arts project, event, organisation or community in regional Australia.

President of Regional Arts Australia Ms Julie Boyd says the awards are a real way for the sector to recognise the efforts of the many dedicated arts volunteers from right across the country.

“I congratulate each and every winner for their wonderful commitment to the arts and would like to pay tribute to the many ways they encourage creativity in their communities” she said.

“From New South Wales’ Kent Mayo who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the McCrossins Mill Precinct has become a major attraction for the area providing educational, arts and heritage programs and exhibitions, to South Australia’s Suzy Rex who has led her community to develop two significant community arts projects which celebrate the region, during a time of extreme hardship, each winner has made significant and ongoing contributions to their communities”.

“Without volunteers many regional arts events simply wouldn’t happen, and Regional Arts Australia is proud to recognise this effort through our Volunteer Awards. I look forward to meeting each of the winners in Launceston alongside of the 1000 delegates we are expecting from all over Australia”.

Registrations for Regional Arts Australia’s national conference Junction 2010 are currently open, see www.junction2010.com for info (early bird registrations closing Friday 18 June 2010).  For more information on the awards visit www.regionalarts.com.au/raa1/volunteer-awards-.asp

The full list of award recipients is attached.

The Regional Arts Australia Volunteer Awards Program is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body, through its Community Partnerships section.

Media enquiries: Kylie Kerrigan, Manager Corporate Affairs, Country Arts SA, 08 8444 0400, m: 0401 999 633, e: kylie.kerrigan@countryarts.org.au

2010 Volunteer Award Winners

Northern Territory
Sustained Contribution Award
Franca Barraclough (Alice Springs)

Franca has contributed consistently and prolifically in a voluntary capacity for 10 years towards numerous performance and visual arts projects and event management, including ‘Tea-Time’ and ‘Stories from the Tea Cup’ project (involving over 150 community participates including youth, multicultural and local artists) and more recently the Cat’s Meow Cabaret. In particular Franca has been involved in the development of productions devised from community content which often bring together diverse groups of people to perform. She has also worked with young boys at risk of offending, brought nationally renowned artists to the region to mentor local arts participants and mentored other volunteer artists to pursue a career in community arts.

NSW
Outstanding Contribution Award
Leigh Scott (Cootamundra)
Eight years ago a group of people from the small town of Cootamundra on the south west slopes region of NSW persuaded the local council to purchase a disused building to be developed into an arts centre. Leigh Scott took on the role of ‘Works Manager’ for the Cootamundra Creative Arts and Cultural Centre Committee managing the volunteer workforce, sourcing building materials, and staying within budget, resulting in a centre with two visual arts studios, three music studios, an exhibition space with reception area, office and catering facility, a Men’s Shed, a theatre space, and a commercial space that is leased to provide ongoing income for the Centre.

Sustained Contribution Award
Kent Mayo (Uralla)
Back in 1979, the derelict but historically significant 1870 McCrossin’s Flour Mill, in the township of Uralla in the northern tablelands region of NSW, was slated for ‘redevelopment’. Kent Mayo, a local teacher, called a public meeting to which around 30 people turned up and decided that somehow they would buy and restore the building. This group formed the Uralla Historical Society, to which Kent has devoted so much of his time ever since. Through government grants, fundraising activities, donations, sponsorship and over 8,000 hours of volunteer labour, McCrossins Mill and Function Centre is now one of the most progressive volunteer owned and operated enterprises in Australia. For over 30 years Kent has been the driving force behind the Society, restoring the Mill, establishing a museum and subsequently buying and restoring two adjacent historical buildings. All three restorations have won major awards and the McCrossins Mill Precinct has become a major attraction for the area providing educational, arts and heritage programs and exhibitions, a meeting and function space for the community and a lasting legacy of conserved heritage buildings for future generations.

Queensland
Outstanding Contribution Award
Claire Rawlins (Longreach)
Claire, now 18, began her arts volunteering when she was 8, ushering at Queensland Arts Council’s Ontour Onstage performances. From there she has become a dedicated arts volunteer. Claire has volunteered many hours over the last decade, particularly the last 3 years, for the Longreach Arts Council Inc, Longreach Cultural Association, Longreach School of Dance, Speakout/Human Ventures and the Longreach Youth Club. She has helped at performances and exhibitions, helped deliver workshops, supported and encouraged young people from Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall and Winton to become involved with the arts, helping many people with their arts projects. In March this year Claire became the first youth member of the Longreach RADF Committee. In 2008 Claire, having learnt dance from age 5, began teaching with the Longreach School of Dance. For the last two years Claire has chosen to be a dance teacher in Longreach rather than seeking fulltime paid work or entering tertiary education. She teaches 8 hours per week and volunteers many more hours, especially when a visiting tutor is available, and in preparation for annual concerts. Claire’s contribution to the arts both as part time/casual employee and as a volunteer continues to have a profound and positive effect on the Longreach community and the central western region.

Sustained Contribution Award
Sandy Curtis (Innes Park)
As founder and guiding force behind Bundaberg WriteFest, Sandy demonstrates both a personal commitment and a positive contribution toward the arts sector within Bundaberg and surrounding region. WriteFest, seeded by Sandy and the Bundaberg Writers Club in 2005, enhances local writer’s skills and knowledge of the publishing industry to increase their chances of publication. Since then, under Sandy’s vision and dedication, the annual event has blossomed into a two day festival of writing techniques and publishing industry workshops attracting visiting authors, readers and writers from all over the State. Since 2005, Sandy has dedicated thousands of volunteers hours organising logistics and funding to ensure a financially viable and successful festival. The Bundaberg Library, so impressed with the quality of participants and workshops, now sponsor the second day as a visiting author/writer event. Through her extensive knowledge of the publishing industry Sandy utilises her skills and contacts to attract nationally acclaimed publishing agents and editors to WriteFest providing a channel for publishing houses to source fresh unpublished regional stories and writers. WriteFest has launched the writing career of four regional writers and this year Harper Collins will accept unsolicited manuscripts at WriteFest. WriteFest is a remarkable achievement benefitting regional Queensland and its writers.

South Australia
Outstanding Contribution Award
Suzanne Rex (Milang)
Suzy Rex has been instrumental in bringing significant arts projects to the Alexandrina district. During a time when the region has been under severe economic and social stress because of the effects of drought, projects Suzy has been involved with have engaged the community and have left (and will leave) lasting, positive results. The Jones Lookout on the cliff top at Clayton Bay, opened in September 2009. Named in recognition of the Jones family and their long-standing contribution to this community, the lookout is located in the position occupied until recently by the Clayton water tower. Constructed from local (recycled) limestone the lookout contains a mosaic designed and made by Alexandrina artist Michael Tye. Suzy took the initiative to apply for funding for this artwork and the construction of the lookout, sourced the materials and supervised the project to completion. More recently Suzy has been instrumental in seeing the inaugural Farmgate Festival through to fruition. She obtained grant funding and was co-ordinator of this Festival which has been embraced with enthusiasm by artists, farmers and landholders. The Festival has brought visitors to the region and has already contributed to community well-being. In addition Suzy serves on the Alexandrina Council's Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee and has assisted with the formulation of the Council's Arts and Culture policy.

Sustained Contribution Award
Anne Miles (Mount Gambier)
Anne Miles has been on the organising committee of the Friends of the Riddoch Art Gallery (formerly Riddoch Art Gallery Society) in Mount Gambier continuously for twenty five years and held various executive positions including President, Treasurer and Secretary. As a Friend, Anne has been involved (and continues that involvement) in catering for Gallery functions, organising fundraising events and exhibitions including A4 art auctions, editing the newsletter for many years and donating many artworks for fundraising. Anne Miles is a contributing member of the artists collective Gallery 54 in Penola and in that role has coordinated many exhibitions by local and visiting artists, supported the day to day running of the collective, and was involved in organising the sculpture court. As a volunteer Anne designed the original banners for the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival. Anne continues as the Group Leader for University of the Third Age, something she has been doing for seven years. Anne has worked as a behind the scenes volunteer at all of the National Limestone Sculpture Symposiums, assisting the coordinator in documentation and sale of artworks. Anne continues to volunteer her time, energy and enthusiasm to the development of visual arts in the Limestone Coast of South Australia.

Tasmania
Outstanding Contribution Award
Joshua Lowe (West Launceston)
At only 23 years of age, Joshua has already become a known and respected artist within the Tasmanian community. After forming DRILL Performance Company in Launceston in 2007, Joshua has worked – unpaid – to produce several incredible and visually stunning works that have engaged and inspired many young people. Joshua has been extremely proactive in creating opportunities for him and others to create and perform, giving tirelessly regardless of the personal cost to himself. The amount of optimism and passion for his artform allows him to surpass many obstacles and he continues to surprise his peers and admirers. Joshua has provided platforms for many local young people and aspiring performers to learn about dance, choreography and theatre making, grow as performers, work alongside professionals, meet new people and have fun in a productive way. He has personally funded most of DRILL's productions, workshops and events. Joshua has also demonstrated skills in many other areas within his work; designing all promotional and web material for his works, creating several community partnerships, and solely managing all administration He has also recently been volunteering at Stompin as an administrative assistant.

Sustained Contribution Award
James Newton (Launceston)
James Newton is a tireless advocate for the Disability, Arts and Access sector, volunteering his skills and time to a number of Tasmanian regional arts organisations and peak bodies, in particular the Launceston based non profit community arts organisation - Interweave Arts. James was instrumental in setting up the Access Arts Link program in 2006 when he identified the need for artists with disabilities to have a professional and supportive environment to make and promote their work – this studio is based at the Queen Victoria Museum Art Gallery Studio at the Inveresk Cultural Precinct in Launceston Tasmania. James continues to assist in coordinating this program with a team of artists and since its inception the Access Arts Link has received numerous awards with both artwork and artists touring Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand. The Access Arts Link program supports up to 40 artists with a broad range of disabilities, aged from 8 to 60, based on an inclusive and creative community model. James has taken on a broader role with Interweave Arts, acting as secretary and board member and has been the driving force behind many successful projects and grant applications, which have benefited a cross section of the community.

Victoria
Outstanding Contribution Award
Kathryn Portelli (Pipers Creek)
Kathryn Portelli is a 47-year-old Australian, regionally based arts volunteer, who has a passion for mosaics, and lives in the Redesdale fire area. Her stunning artwork comprises 280 tiles, stretching 11 metres along the external wall of Kyneton Town Hall. Each tile has a eucalyptus shaped leaf cut-out into which has been set artefacts from the catastrophic 'Black Saturday' fires. It forms a mosaic masterpiece with links to other fire areas. Immediately after the appalling devastation, Kathryn conceived this fitting memorial, engaged fire affected families in 'ownership' of their tile and brought the project to completion, on time, for the first anniversary. Kathryn devoted 658 hours to the project - only 22% of which were funded. Her volunteer contribution was outstanding as she also supported her volunteer CFA husband and three children for the immediate six weeks of 'mopping-up' after the bushfires, and provided peer support for grieving residents. For 12 months she co-ordinated 45 volunteer mosaicists (some from interstate), and school children from Primary Schools in the fire region. "Astounding artwork", "impeccable design", "stunning concept", and "heart-rending emotional journey" are all superlatives which described this art installation at the unveiling. An astonishing blend of art and artefacts to bind community!

Sustained Contribution Award
Lou Callow (Ballan)
Lou Callow has been the charismatic and inspirational force behind Moorabool Shire's highly respected WOMBAT REGIONAL ARTS NETWORK since its inception 10 years ago. Her leadership, clear vision and the plethora of creative ideas which she has so willingly shared have provided the focus and organisation behind a diverse group of individuals, through many events, exhibitions and escapades. Her capacity to work for others, to fill the gaps, to care about individuals and be the person who does something about it, is wonderful. Lou has worked tirelessly in the Ballan community to inspire community engagement and inclusion within all manner of activities and is clearly regarded by many as a "living treasure".

WA
Outstanding Contribution Award
Malcolm Armstrong (Boyup Brook)
Malcolm Armstrong has played an integral role as Volunteer Treasurer for the Boyup Brook Country Music Club for the past nine years, working in the Arts sector, developing and supporting the ambitions and creative scope of artists (visual art, dance, indigenous performers, poetry, music). Treasurer is the job that no-one wants but is vital to the Arts sector. Malcolm demonstrates true leadership qualities and assisted in bringing the Club back from difficult times and moved it to a new level. Over the years he has developed and implemented innovative fundraising ideas and stuck his neck out to make the ideas work. He continues to keep the Committee up to speed with financial issues, draws up budget plans, and makes sure the organisation’s book are kept satisfactorily. He plays a key role in bringing about transformation or significant organisational outcomes. Malcolm is passionate and enthusiastic volunteer and is a tremendous driving force behind a number of local organisations. Malcolm’s involvement and contribution to the district has been outstanding, he has enriched many people’s lives within the community and surrounding areas.

Sustained Contribution Award
Ngarralja Tommy May (Fitzroy Crossing)
Tommy May has contributed considerably to regional arts in Australia over the past 25 years. In that time his contributions include: being an active Board Member to numerous arts and cultural organisations including ANKAAA as unpaid executive and / or chair, Mangkaja Arts and Kimberly Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre KALACC; involvement in numerous high profile and local projects such as contributing his knowledge, time and experience  to the Ngurrara Canvas and Canning Stock Route Project; contributing to numerous publications and films that promote Aboriginal art, and educate on artists rights and cultural knowledge; attending many cultural and arts festivals – as a dancer, law boss, artist and representative for Mangkaja Arts, and other organisations; inclusion in more than 50 exhibitions nationally and internationally promoting indigenous arts; travelling to many shows increasing profile and understanding of Aboriginal art; and, many of his works are held in public and significant private collections