In April, a motion was passed by the committee that 10% of the sales at our art shows be paid to the Society.

The painters’ group had a talk and a demonstration by cartoonist George Haddon. Also about this tine a life painting group was in progress and well attended. Weavers had a demonstration by Marion Goildsmith, and a motion was moved and passed that they purchase another potter’s wheel. Wendy Sewell now took over the position of enamelling teacher as Liz Reid had moved to Adelaide. In June of 1972, the painting group had a field trip to the home of Mr Martin Delbridge, and were participants in a portrait painting demonstration at the studio of Alan Martin. (“A great night – extensive supper – lots of wine – very late finish”)

Visits were made to city galleries and to the studio of Alan Summers (stained glass artist). At this time two members of Heidelberg Senior Citizens Club were sitting for portraits for the painters, and Mr Vincent Hardimans was a new teacher for Wednesday night pottery.

Early in 1972 somebody demonstrated the preparation of a plaster death mask – the model was Murray Pulford, without beard! For some reason he could not speak (a bit of a change) and had drinking straws up his nostrils.

Group criticism began and has remained an important part of the painters” group.

The Society moved headquarters once again. This time on Tuesday 15th July, they moved into the buildings on Sherbourne Road owned by Mr Bob Manuel of Briar Hill Timber and Hardware. This was to this point the most significant event in the life of the Arts Society, as it represented a move into a “home”, with all the facilities necessary to properly operate a society. The building discovered by Murray Pulford, was virtually derelict, floors covered 6” (15cm) in dirt and leaves. A large tree branch had fallen through the roof, leaving a very large hole with much of the branch inside. Most of the roof was rusted out, windows were broken, and it was one large room – a mess. Digby Watson, an engineer, drew up plans for the restoration, providing for workshop rooms for painting, pottery and jewellery and enamelling. There was even an entrance sitting room with Lead Light windows, and a dressing cubicle for life models. Heating was by a Sally heater, whose frequent sighing and strange habits had all in fear and trembling, but was welcome on winter nights. Members worked their hearts out refurbishing that building to be ready for the 2nd art show. It would seem that without that incredible burst of energy the Society would have fizzled.

At the annual general meeting, November 12 1972, Digby Watson was re-elected as president.

The second annual Art Society show was held at the workshop in Sherbourne Road on Saturday September 30 and Sunday October 1 with an opening night on Friday 29th September.

The opening of this, the first totally DVAS show, was so well presented that the shire councillors were won over to our cause from then on. From this time classes really took off; frequently all three rooms were operating at once.

1973

In February of this year the third pottery class was formed, Mr Hogg teacher, plus an advanced workshop group. A third copper enamelling class was formed; classes were limited to nine members each with a fee of $8 per head.

A very successful summer pottery school was held in two one week sessions, between January 22 and February 2 1973 9.30am to 12 noon. It was run by Nell Staff, Rosemarie Stynes and Vincent Hardiman. Twenty eight children from Eltham and twenty from Greensborough participated, at $5 per child per week.

On Tuesday 27th February a jewellery class commenced. Mile Wilson was a teacher for a short time, then was carried on after his resignation by Mrs Daphne McPherson.

The spinning and weaving group had 15m members by May 1973, with most of the original members still attending. The painting group averaged 12, although the original members were no longer part of this group. Copper enamelling had 2 kilns, and three classes (nine per class) in operation.

In July of 1973, the Diamond Valley Shire Council wrote to the Art Society requesting information relating to a method by which the council could encourage an annual or biennial, art competition – the first stirrings of what was to become the Diamond Valley Art Awards. This letter was a result of lobbying by the Society committee.

The third annual show was in September 1973, at Sherbourne Road; the entry fee was $1 per person, to a maximum of five paintings per person, commission on sales to the society was 20%, net profit $786.96. It was concluded that the third annual show was a “great” success.

This show was an even bigger spectacle than the second. Opening night was completely packed out with heaps of sales. We even had the “National Gown of the Year” on display, won Mike Wilson, our jewellery teacher. There were working demonstrations (continuously for two days) of painting, drawing, enamelling, jewellery, wool dyeing (the stink was awful), weaving, and pottery – where kids small and large could make a pot. About $6,000 worth of art was sold at this show. 

In October 1973 the Society accepted the Shire’s offer to participate in running an art exhibition in conjunction with the Lion’s Club of Greensborough.

The Beginnings

1972 - 73

1974