Presidents Message

I am very honoured to have been elected to serve a second term as President of this society. I must thank my very efficient and supportive vice president, Helen Taylor for her generosity and willingness to follow things through to get things done. Our committee is not much changed, although some roles have been refined and subdivided. We work well as a team, but would still welcome new members, who can be co-opted without waiting for the next AGM.

This year we have bought a new laptop computer and programmes, which came via a grant for volunteers from the Federal Government. This will make the recording of the library resources and things like membership lists much more easy to keep up to date, and forms and newsletters available to reprint if needed. We still need a data projector to be able to show the computer slideshows which are the way of the future.

We have had a successful year of exhibitions, with the notion of a guest artist becoming a regular feature.  So excited by her public exposure during her guest spot, a certain life member has begun negotiations to do a solo show here next year….more info. to come!

Sketch groups continue to have a strong following, and I must publicly thank our sketch group leaders who keep the groups running smoothly. We are also once again offering a Getaway week at Douglas Scrub, thanks to the organization of Glenda Parker.

And speaking of Glenda, I thank her for her years of putting our newsletter together. We have let her retire gracefully and have finally found someone to take over the task of editor, and you will all agree with me I’m sure that Graham Mills is doing an excellent job. Thanks Graham!

I’d also like to thank Tony Wynne, our director of maintenance, for all the fiddly bits he does throughout the year, although I think he’s almost met his match in the door that keeps on moving! Hang in there Tony!

The membership of the Society continues to grow steadily, and I hope those new members feel welcomed and comfortable enough to take advantage of all the benefits of the Society.

I urge you to feedback your thoughts and wishes to committee members. We try to do the best for the Society, but sometimes we just don’t know how the members are feeling. Please tell us! In a nice way of course. It doesn’t guarantee your wishes being granted, but at least they will have been considered.

And I look forward to an exciting year of wonderful painting and friendship.

Happy painting,  Pam Saint