1

ADFAS Camden Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society, Camden Inc. ABN 49 917 925 347

Member of the Association of ADFAS (Group Associate Member of NADFAS)

NEWSLETTER

FROM THE EASYCHAIR Dear Members and friends,

Well, we have reached the end of another ADFAS year with the AGM only a few days away, and I am privileged to be filling in for Chairman Gay as she prepares for that event. This Special Edition of the Newsletter is our opportunity to review the year past and contains several annual subcommittee reports.

The lectures and Special Interest Programmes in 2017 covered a very diverse range of topics and I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Once again, Pamela Hartley organised a very successful two-day coach trip to the national capital, enjoyed by all of the members and friends who participated. Our Church Recording Group completed its project at St James’ Anglican Church, Menangle and the bound report was accepted by the Association at the September Council meeting. Our Young Arts programme has again been a success as you will read later in this Newsletter. So this year has been quite a busy and successful one for ADFAS Camden.

The AGM is being held on 18th November, a little earlier than usual, due to the competition for bookings at the Harrington Grove Country Club. However, we have ensured we have bookings later in November for 2018 and 2019. We will see a few changes in our committee this year. Gay Wilson will be stepping down from her position as Chairman after three years at the helm. This is a very busy position and Gay is to be congratulated and thanked for her dedication to the role during those years. I am sure she will be pleased to be able to hand over the reins and enjoy our 2018 ADFAS activities feeling a little more relaxed. Thank you, Gay.

Rodna Siebels, our foundation Secretary and current Archivist is retiring from the committee after 15 years of service to our Society. I am sure we will continue to see her at our meetings next year but sans her roving camera! Thank you, Rodna.

This year the short talk after the AGM will be a presentation on our latest Church Recording project on the small but historic St James’ Anglican Church, Menangle – a surprisingly interesting little church dating back to Macarthur times. And after that we will once again enjoy our end-of-year luncheon.

On the tables at the AGM you will find copies of the booklet Programme 2018 and also a copy of the 2018 Membership Application Form. Please think about inviting a friend or relative to join our Society – or give a membership as a Christmas or birthday gift. On display on the side tables will be our archives and other material of interest to members.

Once again your committee has endeavoured to put together a lecture programme to provide something of interest for all members. We will again be having two Special Interest Programmes in 2018 and, as you will see in her Trips and Travel Report, Pamela Hartley is planning an overnight coach trip for members and friends – this time to the west rather than the south.

I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM!

Peter Claxton – Editor

Number: 1711

November 2017

A.G.M. SPECIAL EDITION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 18th November 11.00 for 11.30 am start

HARRINGTON GROVE COUNTRY CLUB

Forestgrove Drive, Harrington Park

ANNUAL REPORTS ELECTION OF OFFICEBEARERS &

COMMITTEE

Nominations for Committee positions must be with the Secretary by 12th

November (7 days prior to the AGM)

At the conclusion of the AGM we will be holding our annual

Christmas Function Our Guest Speakers are

Patricia Johnston, FRAS Peter Claxton

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT Secrets of a village church revealed

Followed by

Luncheon $60 per person

BOOKING ESSENTIAL and required for catering purposes by

FRIDAY 10th NOVEMBER

For more information & bookings Secretary: Carla Hill

4655 9724; carlamhill@bigpond.com

2

TREASURY

As the year comes to an end for ADFAS, my work as Treasurer is done…… right? …. Actually, it feels like it’s just beginning because it is certainly a busy time of late.

We have had two Special Interest Programmes (SIP) within two months of each other, plus receipts for our upcoming Christmas Lunch…..and not to mention Membership renewals - but you will never hear me complaining about money coming in!!!

A somewhat trying financial year for our Camden society has been the product of an unexpected decrease in our membership and attendances at SIPs. However, we have pulled up with just a few “scratches” and look forward to a more prosperous 2018 ADFAS year. The Committee has decided that we should keep our Membership fees the same for 2018 at just $130 and I must reiterate that this is great value for 8 Lecture events i.e. 6 International and 2 Australian, at just $16.25 each. Sandwiches and wine thrown in…..what a bargain!!!

It is also time to gather all my bookwork and get it in top shape for our annual Audit. Alan Redman has responded to an arm up his ba…ck….no, no, just joking…..Alan has kindly accepted our invitation to audit our books once again…..a more generous man with his time you’ll not find. Thank you very much, Alan!

“So, it’s goodnight from me, and it’s goodnight from him”, until we hopefully see you at the AGM at the Harrington Grove Country Club, Saturday 18th November, 11.00am for 11.30am sharp. Get there earlier for good parking. If I don’t see you there, my wish is that you all have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by your family and friends…. Hopefully you will spread the word about ADFAS to them; your valued membership is what keeps our financial boat afloat.

Pamela Hartley Hon Treasurer

MEMBERSHIP

I would like to thank everyone for the support I have received during my first year as Membership Secretary, and

especially the other committee members. I had big shoes to fill following Ian McKenzie. I would also like to thank you all for giving me your names on arrival at the lectures. Although I know quite a few members, I am still learning

new faces and names and this will be an ongoing task for me. 

After discussion and budgeting by our treasurer, it has been decided not to increase annual membership fees, which stay at $130 per member for 2018. However costs do continue to rise and in order to keep our membership fees as low as possible, we need to increase our membership numbers, which decreased a little this year to 113 - the first decrease in nearly ten years. Although our raffles this year have been very popular (particularly since we changed the raffle prize to a book on some aspect of the decorative and fine arts), and have boosted our income, the best solution is more members - to increase our income from annual Membership fees.

I think you will agree that ADFAS Camden provides something a little different to the local population, and is also a very sociable and enjoyable group – and I am sure there are relatives and friends out there who would also enjoy our programme and fellowship. So, please think about asking them along in 2018, either as guests to a lecture or two, or to join up as members.

As has been mentioned in the Newsletter, with Christmas approaching, you might like to give a pre-paid membership to someone (cost $130) or a complimentary invitation (cost $30) to one of our lectures in 2018. Please contact me or our Treasurer, Pamela Hartley if you would like more information

This year, the ADFAS website (www.adfas.org.au) has been redeveloped and is now very easy to use. It is a very useful way to introduce people to the Association of ADFAS and also contains a lot of interesting information for members, including lecture programmes for other ADFA Societies and their Newsletters.

One final bit of news – NADFAS, the UK organisation from which our Association grew, has changed its name to THE ARTS SOCIETY. You can still log onto their website using https://nadfas.org but the correct address is now https://theartssociety.org

We have a really great programme for 2018 so please renew your membership and entice some new people to attend.

Happy Christmas. Susan Zamudio

Membership Secretary

CHURCH RECORDING

This year has been a significant one for church recording for ADFAS Camden group, for it saw the completion of our two year study of the furnishings of St. James’

Anglican Church, Menangle. Some 13 members of the group met fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons to describe the memorials, metalwork, stonework, woodwork, textiles, paintings, library, windows,

3

organs and musical instruments etc., and research the artists, authors and manufacturers involved.

Research was done of the history of Menangle village as well as the church. It had developed originally as a virtual family chapel, dedicated to the memory of the descendants of John Macarthur, pastoralist and promoter of the fine merino wool industry. His granddaughter, Elizabeth Macarthur Onslow, laid the foundation stone on 24th March, 1876 and later paid for the impressive extensions completed in 1898 that included the bell-tower, semi-circular apse, decorated chancel and sanctuary, which were designed by the renowned architects Sulman (later Sir John) and Power.

Some 150 hours were spent recording the furnishings, together with another 150 hours editing, typing and desk-top publishing the manuscript, and the magician, who created this beautifully illustrated volume of 144 pages, plus

appendix of xxiv pages of the incumbent ministers, was Dr. Peter Claxton.

Eccentric Sydney architect, John Horbury Hunt, has been credited with at least the Nave, but our research found no evidence his involvement in any way with either the 1876 nave church or the 1898 extensions. In fact the original drawings of Sulman and Power architects for the 1898 extensions for Mrs Macarthur Onslow are featured as the front and back end-papers of the bound report.

On Friday 29th September two copies of this publication, bound in maroon publisher’s cloth and stamped in gold leaf, were presented to the Council meeting of the 37 combined ADFAS Societies at the conference rooms of the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Mascot. One copy will be lodged with the Royal Historical Society of NSW, Macquarie St., Sydney, and the other with the National Library, Canberra.

On November 12th during the morning service at St. James’ two more copies will be presented to the minister, Rev. Chris Moroney. His sermon on “Writing history” will be an appropriate subject for our publication. One copy will be kept for church records and the other sent to the Cathedral Archives.

Our church recording group is grateful for the trust and tolerance shown by the Rev. Moroney as we delved through the church records, and for the dedicated assistance of wardens and parishioners, especially Mrs. Sylvia Robinson, who undertook to open and lock the church for all our inspections.

Our talented team included experts in wood identification and construction Paul Gregson, windows Dr. Beverley Sherry, and a professional photographer, Frank O’Brien, who all contributed such valuable advice and help.

Patricia Johnston Convenor, Church Recording Group

YOUNG ARTS

Each year, ADFAS Camden supports Young Arts through two activities.

Camden Kiddies’ Concert

The first of these, held this year on Sunday 19th February, is the CAMDEN KIDDIES’ CONCERT, (previously known as Camden Toddler Prom) designed to introduce the very young to music and the instruments of the orchestra.

Forty-three wide-eyed youngsters plus parents and grandparents were treated to a wonderful trip around the world of music at the Camden Civic Centre.

The Fisher’s Ghost Youth Orchestra under the baton of Maestro David Griffin, started the journey in Australia with “Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree” which sounds quite amazing when played by an orchestra. Then we tripped through South America, North America, Portugal, China, Japan & India with appropriate music and introductions to all the various instruments in each section of the orchestra.

This is now our 6th concert at the Civic Centre with the Fisher’s Ghost Youth Orchestra and it is wonderful to see how they continue to entertain and enthral the audience. This annual event is an addition to our Association’s Young Arts programme of which we can be really proud. ADFAS Camden provides a donation of $500 to the orchestra. We are grateful to Camden Council, Macarthur Anglican School, Butterflies Camden Florist and Robert Campbell at Looking Class for their various donations and continued support.

Marjory Baker Memorial Youth Award in the annual Camden Art Prize.

The second activity is our sponsorship of the MARJORY BAKER MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD in the annual CAMDEN ART PRIZE. This Award is open to artists in any medium, aged 16 – 25, and ADFAS Camden provides $750 prize money. Marjory Baker was an artist herself and a founding member of ADFAS Camden.

This year was the 42nd Camden Art Prize and we have been involved since 2012 (37th) when we commenced our sponsorship of the MARJORY BAKER MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD. With a record 24 entries this year,

4

ADFAS Camden was honoured to fulfil this part of our Young Arts Programme yet again.

Much to the surprise of young artist, Camille Gillyboeuf, the award was granted to her for the second year in a row. Interestingly, although the judges are different each year, and from different areas of the

country, their comments were very similar to those given last year…….a promising career ahead for French born, Camille!!

Carla Hill, Young Arts sub-committee

TRIPS & TRAVEL

For 2017 ….and beyond!

How my memory fails, when, at the end of each year, I try and remember what we did in February or thereafter. This year,

in fact, has galloped by at such a pace, that it’s left me at the starting barrier and it feels like it should still only be about April or so.

I just had a look at the February Newsletter (No 1702) to prompt my mind, and it was quite enjoyable reading about our overnight trip that we did on the 7th and 8th February.

Once again, we journeyed to Canberra; this time for the exhibition “Versailles – Treasures from the Palace”. In order that we spend as much time as we could there, we visited the National Gallery for a full day on our second day, Wednesday 8th, but not before discovering the Free Serbian Orthodox Church right next door to our hotel. Thanks, Carla Hill for organizing!! It was fascinating. If you missed our trip and are ever next door at the Forrest Hotel and Apartments, why not arrange a visit to the Church. The frescos are equal to anything in Europe and were the passionate works of Czech artist Karl Matzek in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a case of “free time” on the Tuesday, and the Old and New Parliament Houses plus the National Library and the Australian War Memorial, were all places of personal choice.

Having had a very busy year personally, we only managed one trip for 2017, however, I know that the two days spent in Canberra were thoroughly enjoyed by all 33 participants.

…….For 2018, I’m working on a different plan and a different destination. “Why?” you may ask! You see, there is no “fantastic” exhibition at the NGA in February, that I think would appeal to our loyal travellers.

That got me thinking, “Well, why does it have to be Canberra?” After all we have been going there now for the last 7 years or so. How about the Blue Mountains or beyond? So, at the moment, the plan is that we will take

off on the 13th and 14th February, for what I might call “Beyond the Blue” …..I do hope you will “watch this space” as my plan develops.

I’ll be able to tell you more soon, and thank you for always being such happy travellers,

Pamela Hartley Trips & Travel Department

FROM THE EDITOR

I trust you have enjoyed reading our monthly newsletter as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. As in recent years this is the last full issue for the year, but an abbreviated edition will be published in December to let you know

who will be on our committee in 2018 and to give you some further information on our Trips and Travel plans for early in the New Year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those Committee members who have contributed information and articles on their ‘portfolios,’ particularly our long-suffering chairman who has very graciously provided her front page note ‘From the Chair’ each month. I must have trained them all very well as I do not have to chase any of them (too much) for their contributions! Thank you all.

And a particularly big thank-you for those members who have provided articles for the Newsletter throughout the year – particularly Pauline Downing, who manages to travel to some very interesting places each year.

Once again, I would like to encourage those of you who have an interest or expertise in an area of the Decorative and Fine Arts to put pen to paper and share your wisdom or experiences with other members through our Newsletter. ADFAS is all about learning and sharing and I have found that putting together a short article on a subject is a very good way of learning a little more about that subject – hence my own occasional, perhaps rather naïve, articles in the Newsletter.

On the side tables at the AGM there will be a display of some of our ADFAS Camden documents produced over the last ten years or so – if nothing else, showing evolution in action. It just took a little nudge from our then chairman, Nola Tegel, to encourage the purchase of a decent laser printer and start the process of presenting our Society in a more ‘artistic’, professional and affordable way and I thank all who have contributed to that process.

However, Succession Planning is management-speak for recognising that people cannot go on for ever in their roles and an organisation should plan for the future. To that end I would like to hear from any member who has a journalistic streak, no matter how large or small, who would be interested in becoming involved in the production of our Newsletter and other publications.

Peter Claxton Editor

P: 4655 9781; M 0400 379 274 E: pclaxton8@bigpond.com

5

The Alan Baker Art Gallery is looking for a volunteer team to assist with the manning of the Macaria Gallery.

Volunteers will bring a valuable variety of skills and knowledge to the Gallery, helping with different projects, ranging from cataloguing collections and manning the Gallery, to participating in exciting art events in and around the Local Government Area of Camden.

Volunteering will provide you with an opportunity to meet professionally and socially with other volunteers and ABAG staff.

The Gallery, as a new initiative, will offer the challenge of growth and innovation to provide an excellent visitor experience, and to assist in promoting the Arts and the Gallery to the people of Camden.

Your volunteer work at ABAG will be integral to the Gallery’s pursuit of being Camden’s inaugural Art Gallery.

Volunteer Applications are available on-line and should be completed and returned by Friday 17th November to:

alanbakerartgallery@camden.nsw.gov.au

The Gallery, upon receipt of your application, will notify you of an information, induction, training session which will be held in late November or early December.

For any further enquiries, do not hesitate to contact Roger Percy, Set-up Officer on. 4655 8681.

Most towns and small settlements at some time had an equivalent of a School of Arts. Though some may now serve a different purpose, many of these buildings remain, some still providing a focal point for community activities. In line with one of the primary aims of ADFAS – the preservation of our national artistic heritage – ADFAS members have engaged in identifying and researching Schools of Arts, Mechanics’ Institutes and Literary Institutes in their local area.

This time last year we proudly announced the completion of the local project on the Camden School of Arts, and a copy of the finished report will be available for viewing on the Archives table at the AGM.

That very interesting and well-presented report was the result of a combined effort by members of ADFAS Camden and the Camden Historical Society. It covers the origins of the School of Arts Movement, early Camden, the establishment of the Camden School of Arts in the late 1850s, the construction of the building in John Street in 1866 and its subsequent history in terms of changes and additions to the building itself and its functions in the community.

A copy was lodged electronically with the Association of ADFAS, and it will also be a valuable addition to the historical records of Camden held by the Camden Historical Society.

Members may be interested to know that ADFA Societies have now completed reports on 44 such buildings – 20 in Queensland, 20 in NSW (including Camden), 3 in Tasmania and 1 in the ACT.

The project doesn’t aim to provide a formal academic history but rather to enhance our understanding of the community role of the Schools of Arts movement. Searching, finding and collecting information, sharing the research with friends, discovering more about your local area is very rewarding and can be a lot of fun.

More information on this fascinating and absorbing project can be obtained by emailing SoA@adfas.org.au or looking up the ADFAS website www.adfas.org.au

Alan Baker Art Gallery @ Macaria Camden

ADFAS SCHOOLS OF ARTS PROJECT

6

Coming Exhibitions Coming Exhibitions

Janet Lawrence The matter of the Masters 11 Nov 2017 – 18 Feb 2018 Explore a fascinating intersection of art, science and nature in the work of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters

Rembrandt and the Dutch golden age Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum 11 Nov 2017 – 18 Feb 2018 Immerse yourself in outstanding works of art by the greatest Dutch painters of the 17th century, including Rembrandt and Vermeer

Brett Whiteley beach Fri- Sun only 24 Nov 2017 – Mar 2018 Brett Whiteley Studio, Surrey Hills: Special hours From Bondi to Byron Bay, the beach was an ideal location for Brett Whiteley to stage his extraordinary figures interacting with each other, the sand and the sea

Editor

Honorary Secretary

Peter Claxton Carla Hill 4655 9781 4655 9724 pclaxton8@bigpond.com carlamhill@bigpond.com ADFAS CAMDEN Inc. PO Box 146 Camden NSW 2570

Coming Exhibitions

LOST

One of our members, Heidi Brandt, lost a very precious gift from her mother on Saturday 28th

October, at or after our last lecture at Carrington. It is an egg-shaped opal pendant in a gold setting and is her only remaining memento of her mother. If you

have found it, could you please contact Heidi either by phone (4655 7675) or email (heidi444@bigpond.com).