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Margaret Olley and The Yellow Room Triptych (2007)
ret Ollraey Margieace fo r Ne m
M as te rp xciting news for Armidale is the New England Regional Art Museum’s acquisition of The Yellow Room Triptych (2007), a major artwork by iconic Australian artist Margaret Olley.
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Packsaddle, an Armidale-based group of long-time NERAM supporters, initiated the idea of purchasing The Yellow Room Triptych from the Margaret Olley Trust earlier this year. The Friends of NERAM, NERAM Foundation and NERAM Board have also thrown their support behind the acquisition and The Yellow Room Appeal, a two-year campaign to raise the required funds of $400,000, is now in full swing. This oil painting is widely regarded in the art world as Olley’s magnum opus and is currently on display at NERAM for a limited time. “Her genius, I think, lay in her belief that
simple is better than complicated, that quiet is better than noisy and that what is close at hand is better than that which has to be sought … we need to look no further for her genius than this great, great Yellow Room,” said Philip Bacon, leading Brisbane art dealer, philanthropist, longtime friend of Olley and guest speaker at the unveiling of the acquisition in June. NERAM, through The Yellow Room Appeal Committee, is committed to raising funds to purchase this exceptional work of art for the Howard Hinton Collection, to ensure Margaret Olley’s magnum opus is on display in a public institution, enjoyed and valued by a wide audience, as was her wish. Armidale is destined to become a vital stopover on the planned Margaret Olley Trail, connecting galleries in Sydney, Newcastle and Murwillumbah (where Margaret Olley’s own yellow room is to be recreated). This will undoubtedly
raise Armidale’s – and the entire region’s – profile in the cultural tourism market. The Yellow Room Appeal welcomes donations of any amount. For more details and to donate online, go to www.neram.com.au/yellowroom
the plug! NERAM opening hours: Tues - Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat & Sun 10am to 4pm. Closed Mon. Ph 6772 5255. www.neram.com.au
Supporting the Leaders for Tomorrow aul Wadleigh and Tony Tierney are employees of The Ascent Group’s Acacia Park Enterprises, an Australian Disability Enterprise whose purpose is to provide meaningful and productive employment in the local community and to facilitate opportunities for personal and social development. Paul and Tony were identified as potential participants in the Leaders for Tomorrow program and supported by The Ascent Group to participate.
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Paul and Tony have been participating in the Leaders for Tomorrow program since September 2011, and they will graduate in October this year. The program is an individual leadership program which is committed to developing 200 people with a disability to be more skilled, confident and active in leadership roles in business, community, government or their chosen area of interest. The program started with a ‘Retreat’ in Sydney, where Paul and Tony were able to meet with nearly 50 participants from all over Australia who had been chosen for the program. Besides meeting the other participants, the two enjoyed the plane 20 new england focus.
Tony Tierney and Paul Wadleigh trip, exploring Sydney and getting lost in the city! Both Paul and Tonys’ goals involved having a leadership role in their workplace and the community. Paul and Tony have just completed a Semester at Armidale TAFE, where they studied subjects that will help them be effective and skilled leaders/mentors within The Ascent Group. They now feel more confident to be good communicators and have the skills to mentor other workers who may need support. Since joining the program, Tony has become very involved with the local SES, and with their support he is working on getting his truck licence. He also has the responsibility of driving the bus to pick up The Ascent Group workers to take them to and from work at Acacia Park. Paul is a keen Lawn Bowler and is hoping to become more involved in a leadership
role at his local Bowling Club. Through mentoring and leadership development opportunities, Leaders for Tomorrow participants will become better equipped to contribute as leaders in Australia’s future. The Leaders for Tomorrow program is being delivered throughout Australia by Hunter TAFE in partnership with E-QUAL (Enhancing Quality) based in Western Australia, with funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
contact info. Kevin Mead p. 6774 8977 w. www.ascentgroup.org.au