Moonambel Arts & History Group

MAHG AGM President's Report for 2017/18

9/8/2018

President's Report.
This is our seventh Annual General Meeting but also the fifteenth year since the first Arts Event with the inaugural Easter exhibition. We have won a National Volunteering Award in the past and prove to still be a strong volunteer group committed to bringing art to the area for the community to enjoy. The history component of our agenda is also being addressed.

Since our last Annual Meeting we have been involved in the following activities:
September 2017:

'Hogan & Fox' Art Exhibition & Sales at the Recreation Reserve.Two locala artists, Merri Hogan and Barry Fox branched out with new ideas for this two person exhibition. Merri explored etching and printing from nature while Barry included fantasy with his animal carvings. A beautiful combination of talent.

October 2017:

The Mechanics Hall information sign was set in concrete ready for the big 80th anniversary event.

November 2017:

MCTC's 'It's Raining at Lulubel's' was performed at the Moonambel Mechanics Hall as part of the 80th anniversary of the 'new' Hall. We were given an impression of the times back then with comedy playing a big role.

November also saw the third Remembrance Day service commemorated at the Moonambel Memorial.

March/April 2018:

'Capturing Character' photo competition was our Easter exhibition. The standard was very high with a record number of entries. The judge chose 17 highly commended photos, usually just a couple. Merri Hogan proved that she is a photographer as well as a printer by taking out the major prize.

'Plastic & Ink' Workshop with Heather Featherstone and Barbara Chancellor unfortunately had to be postponed due to lack of participants. (Pyenees Unearthed was happening in Avoca the same time). We plan to run it in 2019.

June 2018:

Open Studio @ Maggies Place. Once again local artist, Maggie Barnes-Oake, presented an Open Studio experience at her mud brick house.
This year she invited Sanne Malkaer, Jacqui Drever and Russell Drever to exhibit with her.

MCCC Officially opens. We congratulate Adrian van den Bergen on his mammoth effort of getting the Moonambel Community Ceramic Centre officially operational. This is now another sub-committee of MAHG and we hope many creative pieces af art 'rise from the ashes', so to speak. This centre incorporates a gas fired kiln and a wood fired Raku kiln for use by the commuity.

July 2018:

MCTC was invited to help Steve Lane's beautiful sound and light performance at MEI's inaugural Midwinter Festival. We congratulate Steve on managing to incorporate the Pyrenees Chorale singers with lights being paraded near the bonfire. Quite an atmospheric event.

Our website mahg.org.au keeps our activities documented for all to see.

Market stalls, barbecue and devonshire teas continue to be a drawcard when we have events staged at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve.

Projects on the go...

The Moonambel Lockup project at the Common. Still on the books but slowly coming together. We are determined to see this happen! Information boards are the first part of this installation to be created. Once again we are held up waiting for information from Melbourne.

Art workshops in varied media.

Installing historic information plaques around the township.

Once again our small team of dedicated workers make our projects work. The creative members need the level headed art & history lovers to make these things happen and vice versa. We have built up a wonderful reputation in the Pyrenees district basically due to our respect of our team and supporters. Well done all.

Our future projects, whatever they may be, are almost guaranteed success due to this dedication and wonderful harmonious community team spirit. I thank you all.

Garry Hutton.

AGM 2016

10/8/2016

President's Report.

This is our fifth Annual General Meeting but also the thirteenth year since the first Arts Event with the inaugural Easter exhibition. We have won a National Volunteering Award in the past and prove to still be a strong volunteer group committed to bringing art to the area for the community to enjoy. The history component of our agenda is also being addressed.

Since our last Annual Meeting we have been involved in the following activities:

November:

Restoration of Moonambel's Anzac Avenue to its former glory. It took 17 months from initiation to the opening on Remembrance day 2015. This included the planting of replacement trees and the installation of the plaques dedicated to local soldiers.

Due to the success of the ceremony, we plan, if possible, to hold annual Remembrance Day Commemorations. This project is part of our historic commitment to the town.

MCTC play 'The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of 'Macbeth'. The cast once again delighted the audience with their antics.

December:

Maggie Barnes-Oake presented her exhibition 'Moonambel Through My Eyes' This was shown at the local shop during December and January. Maggie's exhibition depicted local characters, events, landmarks and humour in and around our district.

January:

'Images That Stay With Us' photo exhibition was staged at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve. Once again we had a magnificent array of entries.

June:

Our second workshop, 'Drawing with Light and Shade', was held. Local artist Deborah Wood was invited to present a charcoal drawing workshop at the Moonambel Hall. Those who attended had a wonderful time learning a new skill. This workshop was financed by the Pyrenees Presents Inc. donation.

The websites mahg.org.au, unravelling.net.au and a page on the Ballarat ArtsAtlas website continued to keep our activities documented.

Market stalls, barbecue and devonshire teas continue to be a drawcard when we have events staged at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve.

Projects on the go...

'Celebration of Colour' mixed media exhibition to be held in September.

The Moonambel Lockup Walk at the Common. We are determined to see this happen! Once again we have been unsuccessful in attracting financial support through grants, in its current form.

Moonambel Ceramic Centre is about to be installed at the Primary School. It has been a long haul of the usual red tape to negotiate.

Art workshops in varied media.

Installing historic plaques around the township.

MAHG's AGM

21/7/2015

Graeme Akers. Photo: Jan Curtis......Sumie Workshop. Photo: Jan Curtis......Secrets of the Bush header......MCTC performance. Photo: Ray Curtis

Once again we held our AGM celebrating our successful year. Our President, Garry Hutton presented the following report...

President's Report.
This is our fourth Annual General Meeting but also the twelfth year since the first Arts Event with the inaugural Easter exhibition. We have won a National Volunteering Award in the past and prove to still be a strong volunteer group committed to bringing art to the area for the community to enjoy. The history component of our agenda is also being addressed.

Since our last Annual Meeting we have been involved in the following activities:

November: MCTC's production of 'Cinderella' the pantomime. Steve and Gwynn invited the Moonambel school children to take part which brought a new dimension to the mix. It also gave the children a better insight into theatre craft. Of course the old crew hammed it up once again to the audiences' delight.
Australia Day Weekend: 'Faces, Places & Incongruities' was the title of the Photographic display by Graeme Akers. We were treated to a wonderful display of Australia in Graeme's work which was changing right up to the last week. Graeme's knack of capturing the unusual as well as the known delighted the visitors over the two day exhibition.

Easter Weekend: The 'Secrets of the Bush' was a trial exhibition for us as we invited artists to interpret the term as widely as possible exploring familiar images in different ways. We received 2D and 3D work of a very high standard with exhibitors as far away as Melbourne. Most artworks were for sale and we charged the artists a commission fee.

May: Our first workshop was trialled. Artist Gerard Mangel was invited to present a Sumie Zen Brush Painting workshop at the Moonambel Pavilion. Those who attended had a very peaceful day learning a new skill. This workshop was financed by the Pyrenees Presents Inc. donation.

April: The Moonambel Community Theatre Company's staged a musical afternoon titled 'From Battlefields to Broadway'. The community was entertained with songs and skits over the years. This was part of the 2015 commemoration of the 100 years of ANZAC.
The websites mahg.org.au, unravelling.net.au and a page on the Ballarat ArtsAtlas website continued to keep our activities documented.

Market stalls, barbecue and devonshire teas, when we have events staged at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve.

Projects on the go...

The Moonambel Lockup Walk at the Common. We are determined to see this happen!

Restoring Moonambel's Anzac Avenue to its former glory. It has been over 12 months of red tape but we are nearly there.

Moonambel Ceramic Centre to be installed at the Primary School.

Art workshops in varied media.

MCTC play 'The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of 'Macbeth'' in November.

MAHG AGM 2014

30/9/2014

Secretary Jan (left) & President Garry (right) thank Councillor Ron Eason for helping present prizes at 'The Good, the Bad & the Ugly' photo competition at Easter.

MAHG held its third AGM with all office bearers continuing in their positions. The President's Report outlines our succeful year.

President's Report.
This is our third Annual General Meeting but also the eleventh year since the first Arts Event with the inaugural Easter exhibition. We have won a National Volunteering Award in the past and prove to still be a strong volunteer group committed to bringing art to the area for the community to enjoy. The history component of our agenda is also being brought to the mix this reporting year.

Since our last Annual Meeting we have been involved in the following activities:

The 'Core of my Art' exhibition in October where ten talented local artists shared their individual journey to create a unique work of art – sculpture, printing, painting and ceramics from conception to finish.

The permanent ceramic Analemmetic Sundial installation at the Moonambel Common where local artists and members of the community came together to produce this unique community artwork.

The Easter weekend annual Photographic Exhibition 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' Photographers saw many interpretations of the theme which added to the atmosphere. We appreciate the help from the Stawell Camera Club which provided us with judges for the event.

MCTC production 'Peter Dawson, King of Song' at the Moonambel Hall Easter Saturday. Adrian, Steve and Gwynn sang accompanied by Micheal on the piano. A few emotional tears were shed by our older community members as the memories were stirred.

The Moonambel Community Theatre Company's melodrama 'Not Yours Mine' in February. The audience 'boos and hisses' did not upstage our local thespians but enthused them for their next performance in November. This melodrama, along with the 'Sleeping Beauty' pantomime and the 'Old Time Music Hall', completed the trilogy of Victorian theatrical performances.

The website mahg.org.au and a page on the Ballarat ArtsAtlas website continued to keep our activities documented. This year we also joined the 'Unravelling' website to advertise our exhibitions and performances Australia wide.

Market stalls, barbecue and devonshire teas, when we have events staged at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve.

Projects on the go...

Hosting the Photographic Exhibition by Graeme Akers

The Moonambel Lockup Walk at the Common.

Restoring Moonambel's Anzac Avenue to its former glory.

Moonambel Ceramic Centre to be installed at the Primary School.

MCTC production of the pantomime 'Cinderella'.

Art workshops in varied media.

'Secrets of the Bush' mixed media exhibition

I would like to repeat my words of last year as they still apply today...
Thank you to all our members for the hard work and dedication put towards all of these and future projects. All this comes from the marvellous talents and fantastic community spirit which each member has and brings with enthusiasm to the group. Importantly, creative inspirations by various members have driven the projects to the outstanding success we enjoy as we work in a harmonious team.

Garry Hutton.
President

July 2013

1/7/2013

Progress on the Sundial

Scoria is enhancing the site. Photo: Adrian van den Bergen

Adrian van den Bergen has been busy ferrying scoria from Maryborough to the sundial site. With the tiles in place, the scoria is highlighting the beauty in these beautiful creations.

AGM is held

We held our second AGM this month where we continued to support our executive members in their roles. Our President's report highlighted all our activities for the year. A copy is attached...

President Garry Hutton

President's Report.

This is our second Annual General Meeting but also the tenth year since the first Arts Event with the Easter exhibition. Last year I began by celebrating our Pyrenees Shire Volunteering Award. This year I can go one better and report that we won the National Volunteer Award for Innovation in Volunteering 2012. It is an honour for us to be recognised in this way but is not the reason we exist.

Since our last Annual Meeting we have been involved in the following activities:

The 'Harmony of Threads' exhibition incorporating the 12½ x 12½ patchwork & embroidery competition. This showcased the craft abilities of local patchwork groups and we thank the participants for their enthusiasm to make our exhibition a success.
The 2013 Pyrenees celebration of Australia Day was held at the Moonambel Recreation Reserve. We contributed to the event with a historical display and a very impressive collection of local artwork.
The Moonambel Community Theatre Company staged the pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty' and the 'Old Time Music Hall' which are part of the trilogy of Victorian theatrical performances. We look forward to the Melodrama later this year.
Easter and the Queen's Birthday weekend participation in the Moonambel market with our barbecue and Devonshire Tea stall. This was a fundraising event but we also see it as a way to help other community events.
The creation of our own website MAHG.org.au and a page on the Ballarat ArtsAtlas website. Our own website has a news blog keeping all up to date with our activities.
The permanent ceramic analemmetic sundial at the Common has been started and is progressing very well. We hope to see its opening in October.
We have invited 9 local artists to participate in an exhibition 'Core of my Art' later this year. We hope to follow the process of creating an artwork from conception to finish. The analemmetic sundial is also part of this future event.
Unfortunately, our ongoing project on the 'Moonambel Lockup' installation has failed to attract financial assistance at this stage. We will continue to apply for appropriate grants as they become available.

I would like to thank all our members for the hard work and dedication put towards all of these and future projects. All this comes from the marvellous talents and fantastic community spirit which each member has and brings with enthusiasm to the group. Importantly, creative inspirations by various members have driven the projects to the outstanding success we enjoy as we work in a harmonious team.

Garry Hutton
President

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Our website was created December 2012. The History page lists activities from 2003 to 2012.

Coming Events

2019

Easter Art Show "Exhibition Without a Title.'
Ceramic centre events
Workshops
History at the Common
Historic signage
MCTC Production

We will keep you informed as these projects develop and of any new projects which arise...