Art collection growth

The inaugural meeting of Ararat Gallery TAMA Collection’s working group is making ‘significant steps’ towards future-proofing its collection.

Ararat gallery co-ordinator Katy Mitchell is convening the new group, which includes a broad cross-section of representatives from the region’s vibrant cultural scene including practicing artists, residents and the council.

Cecilia Stewart, Celina Day, Christine Baines, Geoff Todd and Dr Tim Harrison are the group’s inaugural members.

“Designed to increase community engagement and continue building the most significant public collection of contemporary textiles in Australia, the working group serves as a platform where works by emerging artists can be considered alongside more established practices currently found in the gallery’s collection,” Ms Mitchell said. “The efforts and decisions of the working group will ensure the views of the local community and local arts community are front and centre in the decision-making of future collections and direction of the gallery.

“Collecting is really about the process of finding, selecting and negotiating either a donation or purchase of works for the gallery’s collection – we’ve discussed three donation proposals of local significance: A series of lino-cut prints by Nanette Bourke, two hand-bound illustrated books by Stan Kelly and a piece by Carole Mules, which we have decided to accept.”

Ms Mitchell said resuming the working group was an ‘important’ step in developing the gallery’s collection for future generations.

The group meets again next month.

It’s back to school for students and teachers across the Wimmera next week. It’s a particularly exciting, emotional, important and special time for the region’s youngest school children. The Weekly Advertiser asked foundation students what they were most looking forward to when they step into the school yard for the first time...

I

I’m

I am excited to start school at the West campus, meet new friends, and see my old kindergarten and daycare friends. I am super excited to be at school with my brother.

Take a moment to look at how your child, or even yourself are sitting next time a device is being used.

Dr Gregory Eyre at Wimmera Chiropractic Centres works with many tech neck patients.

Call 5382 2528 to see how he can help you.

I

I

Horsham College will commence 2023 with new incoming Year 12 School Captains Harriet Overman and Ollie Hier who are both optimistic that the year ahead will be prosperous for all students and staff. “We are both hoping for a normal year without disruptions” Ollie said. COVID immensely changed the landscape in the schooling environment over the past few years with students and staff facing many challenges and disappointments and somewhat dampening spirits. However, student joint captains are hopeful and are setting their sights on a new fresh year full of prosperity and opportunity. At the forefront of their priorities is to bring all year levels together through mateship and to improve the overall mental health of the school community. In her new captaincy role, Harriet aims to “give people the chance to have a say” and wants to focus on “improving connections and friendships throughout all year levels”. “We are hoping to bring year levels together” said Ollie. Both captains are looking forward to making the most of memories from their last year of schooling with their friends, teachers and peers.

Horsham College is also looking forward to welcoming over 165 new Year 7 students to its school community this year. Many of these students have gained entry into select entry programs including accelerated learning classes which offer a more challenging learning environment supporting gifted and talented students and the AFL academy which provides specialist sports coaching whilst developing important leadership skills. A new select entry program commencing at Horsham College 2023 is the basketball academy. Over fifty students have been accepted into the program and all have a strong passion for the sport. Program leader Cameron Bruce is excited to be providing this developmental pathway. He said “it is an amazing opportunity for students. In this program students will be provided specialist sports coaching and be provided many leadership and personal development opportunities”. There are opportunities in this program right through to VCE and to obtain Sport and Recreation Certificates, he said.

2023:

– At Horsham College you will get to know all your teachers and other staff members very well and they are always there to talk to if you have any worries or need help.

– If you are needing any assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for help from other older students remember that they once had a first day of secondary school too!

– Make sure you are all ready for your first day, get all your books, laptop and uniform ready in the holidays. Make sure you have your name on everything, and don’t forget to practise using your combination lock!

– Take advantage of being able to introduce yourself to new people, everyone in Year 7 will be new to the College and it’s a great opportunity to make new friends.

We can’t wait to welcome all our new and returning students to school and look forward to a prosperous year ahead full of opportunities.