The Annual General Meeting of SAGS was held on Tuesday, 24th August. At this meeting a new SAGs committee was elected; it consists of some new and some familiar faces.

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves.

President, Christine Sayer

For over 45 years Christine enjoyed a varied career path in the creative arts. She has worked in the University sector and has held positions in all 3 levels of Government. She has experience in managing a University Art Collection, community access art workshop spaces, public art projects, artist-in-residence programs, festivals, and community art projects. During her time working at the State Library of Queensland she coordinated the Creative Communities Team. In this role she worked with her team and the architects to develop a creative interface with the public in animating the new South Bank Building

She has been visiting the Granite Belt for over 30 years and moved here with her family 11 years ago.

Treasurer and First Vice President, Adrian Ashman

Adrian had a long career as a senior academic, researcher, and administrator in Canadian and Australian universities. Along with these responsibilities, he has been a member of three Queensland Tribunals and a member of the mediation panel of the Queensland Land Court. He also manages a family limited liability company. He is a practising photographer with a specific interest in nature and landscapes and has shown his work in frequent exhibitions over the past 15 years, including the well-received joint exhibition last year at SRAG with Rob Allen. He first came to the Stanthorpe area in 1988 and purchased a property in the region in 2005, where he now lives, very happily.

Secretary, Rob Allen

Dreaming of becoming an artist, Rob nevertheless ‘got a real job’: his formal career as an exhibition designer and illustrator with the Queensland Museum began in 1980. Twenty-six years later, he left institutional goals behind, seeking more rewarding collaborative and personal creative projects. These included children’s book illustrations, book design, editing and publishing, and community museum and gallery exhibitions. Ever a painter at heart, he finally pursued his dream in 2018, opting for a life with no client to satisfy but himself. Originally a country boy from north of Brisbane, Rob’s home is again in a treed landscape, east of Stanthorpe. Becoming a Gallery Society member brought handsome rewards: Creative circles are where he now wants to make his contribution.

Second Vice President, Esme Hobba

Educated in Broken Hill, which meant more than just going to school.

Gold Medallist Graduate Nursing Sister QEH SA

Nine years in PNG, more than half working casually for UPNG on national health status research. On return to Australia, benefitted from Gough Whitlam’s free education at university for mature aged students. This aided the achievement of a degree and 4 post grad qualificiations and a great job working in small schools with kids with learning difficulties. On retirement, found heaven on the Granite Belt.

Greatest achievement is a family of 4 children, 10 grandchildren, all with practical living skills and a lively interest in our environmental future.

Committee Members:

• Keith Brownjohn (non-voting)

• Cosette Bryan

• Les Fletcher

• Marco Gliori (SDRC Councillor)

• Courtenay Mason

• Jo McNally (SDRC Councillor)

• Sue O’Brien

• Mike Roselt