The Bugle 16 July 2016
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
India chosen as an Archibald finalist At the tender age of 22, India Mark has been chosen as a finalist for the Archibald Prize. It is the first time she has entered Australia’s most prestigious art competition, which has a $100,000 prize. “It’s just incredible that she’s been selected as a finalist,” says her mother Maria Mark. “We are absolutely blown away. It is such a validating and encouraging experience for her at such an early age.” India now lives in Thirroul, but was born and raised in Gerringong and went to Kiama High. Her mother says she began drawing when she was three and it was obvious early on she had a gift, “Our family leads a creative life, but there has been no-one of her talent before.” Jenny Morris taught her up to Year 11 and has followed her development keenly. “She has always been a passionate and tal-
ented artist with skills and understanding well beyond her years,” she says. India achieved many awards and prizes at high school, including from the Kiama Art Society. Her work was selected for ARTEXPRESS in her HSC year, when she achieved a Band 6 and a scholarship to study art. She is currently doing her Masters in Fine Arts, focussing on portraits, at the National Art School in Darlinghurst. India’s Archibald entry is one of the smallest there. As Maria explains, “She is particularly drawn to miniatures because you have to take a step closer to them and peer in, rather than take a step back as you do with larger works.” At a recent exhibition at the Egg & Dart Gallery in Thirroul, her works sold out on the website before going on display.
Search on for new regional tourism board members Following newly announced reforms to NSW regional tourism, a new Destination Network is replacing the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation (SCRTO). Along with Wollongong, Shellharbour, Wingecarribee and the Shoalhaven, Kiama is now part of the Sydney Surrounds South Network. The six regional networks will work with a new Regional Division within Destination NSW. Unlike the regional tourism organisations they replace, their operations will be fully funded by the State Govern-
ment for four years, including paid board positions and professional staff. New South Wales Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, says, “By investing around $10 million a year we aim to bolster our efforts in attracting visitors to regional and rural NSW. Regional tourism contributes $6.7 billion to our state and employs 73,900 people. “This plan will create strong and sustainable tourism bodies to ensure we continue to see growth in this key industry.”
Applications are now open for suitably qualified and experienced candidates to be considered for one of the five director roles or for the role as chairman of the new body. The process is being conducted by recruitment consultants to ensure the optimum mix of skills. “We encourage people to go to the Destination NSW website and see what is involved with these exciting new roles,” says Carole Johnstone, Council’s Strategic Tourism and Marketing Manager. Applications close 31 July.
Inside this issue Local wins tender for adventure playground p3
Beanies become a Farmers’ Market tradition p6
Dane Taylor is the lead singer of the experimental pop band Shining Bird from Austinmer, NSW. They released their debut album Leisure coast in 2013, and in 2015 their single Rivermouth was awarded ‘song of the year’ at the FBi Radio SMAC Awards. Their unique sound embodies the various hues of the Australian landscape, from the outback to the coast, with a tender nostalgia for music of bygone eras. “Outside of Shining Bird, Dane is an artist in his own right, and his calm and grounded nature is something I have always admired,” says India Mark. “I wanted to paint Dane as simply as possible, almost as a silhouette, with a strong focus on his most distinctive features: his eyes, eyebrows and beard. The ‘painting within a painting’ is a symbolic motif used by 17thcentury Dutch masters to imply elements of narrative that aren’t surface apparent, such as a state of mind, character or emotional situation. The painting behind Dane is a loose appropriation of Rupert Bunny’s Sea idyll and is an ode to figurative classicism in Australian art history.” Taken from the Archibald Prize website
Making Waves at Storm Bay p9
Dementia Friendly Project attracts global attention p3