Category Archives: News

Autoportrait – Self Portrait Exhibition

Gallery Ecosse

6th July to 22nd August 2013

Since opening in November 2010 Gallery Ecosse in Exeter has been exhibiting some of the best and most acclaimed artists working in Australia today. There’s no doubt that some of the country’s most established, mixed with the most promising emerging names in the art world have shown their work in this contemporary space.

Autoportrait, a self-portrait feature will be the 26^th exhibition held by Gallery Ecosse and will showcase a select group of represented and invited artists including some Highlands based artists, most notably Archibald Prize winner and AGNSW Trustee Ben Quilty. Self-portraits have been made by artists since the earliest times, in many cases becoming an integral part of an artists practice. A self-portrait can reveal so much about an artist, from moral and psychological issues through to a strong form of narrative taken from the artists life-experience. It’s often the case that one can learn a little more about the artist by ‘reading between the brush-strokes’ of a self-portrait, this being largely why this artistic approach has held great public attention over the centuries, we are captivated by what goes through the mind of a great artist. As a form of tribute to friend and artist Adam Cullen, who passed away in July last year, the exhibition title is a direct reference to a 2011 self-portrait, which Adam painted for Ecosse. The Cullen self-portrait will also feature in the exhibition.

The exhibition includes work by winners and finalists of the following prizes – Archibald Prize (past winners including Adam Cullen, Ben Quilty, Euan Macleod, Guy Maestri & Wendy Sharpe), Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Portia Geach Memorial Prize, Wynne Prize, and Sulman Prize. The Doug Moran portrait prize is the biggest and most lucrative portrait prize in the country and contributing artist Leslie Rice has now received the prize twice in his career, most recently in 2012 for his work titled ‘Self-Portrait (with the Muses of Painting and Poetry)’. Many of the artists’ work can also be found in State and Regional galleries around Australia.

Ecosse Directors, Andre de Borde and Jasper Knight are committed to promoting a diverse group of artists who work in Australia and abroad. They are well decorated and their work is highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike. Ecosse also provides an opportunity for viewers to enter the art collecting market with affordable pieces starting from $500.

Aside from the success of their artists, Andre comments “Some people may feel intimidated by walking into an art gallery, as I guess there can be a stigma or snobbery around some galleries. Ecosse is an approachable gallery and is open to everyone including kids and dogs! If you’re passing when one of our openings is on, drop in for a drink and a chat, you never know who you might run in to.” Both directors have young families and maintain that art should be accessible and is for all people to enjoy.

Gallery Ecosse resides in the historic ‘Halcyon Cottage’ (c. 1869) which is opposite the Exeter General Store. Originally the village bakery, Halcyon is the oldest building in Exeter and one of its most well known icons. Its transformation into a contemporary art space has been a welcome addition not only to Exeter but the Southern Highlands region alike. Attracting art enthusiasts, curators and artists from Sydney, Canberra, the South Coast of NSW and interstate, Autoportrait is one of the most significant shows of the year for Ecosse and will cement Exeter on the Australian Art Map.

The official opening of Autoportrait will be held on Saturday the 6th July at 4pm.

All enquiries can be directed to Andre or Nina at info@galleryecosse.com.au or at the gallery on 4883 4466. All are welcome to join our mailing list for updates on what is happening at the gallery.

Autoportrait Artist list

Carlos Barrios, Jason Benjamin, Joanna Braithwaite, Dean Brown, Adam Cullen, McLean Edwards, David Griggs, Sarah Hendy, Alan Jones, Laura Jones, James Kerr, Jasper Knight, Euan Macleod, Guy Maestri, Julian Meagher, Danny Morse, James Powditch, Ben Quilty, Leslie Rice, Paul Ryan, David Ryrie, Luke Sciberras, Wendy Sharpe, Martin Smith, Tim Summerton, Oliver Watts, Julian Wolkenstein

I am writing on behalf of the Exeter Village Association which at its Annual
General Meeting last night, passed the following resolution:

That this Association expresses in the strongest terms the dissatisfaction at the way that Council has handled the construction of roadworks and kerbing at the Exeter intersection, and the inability to complete in a timely manner.  This has caused an unacceptable disruption to the Exeter community and in particular to the three small businesses that operate in the village, resulting in the loss/reduction in employment within those businesses.

Exeter Village Association calls on the Wingecarribee Shire Council to complete the works as soon as is possible and to make all endeavours to alleviate disruption to the operation of the three businesses.  EVA also calls on Council to respond in writing outlining a timetable of construction completion targets, so that the businesses can properly plan their operations.

The meeting also raised concerns that Council, has during this period of inertia completely overlooked the community’s calls for proper traffic management at the Exeter intersection.  We are requesting that this important issue be placed back on the table and be dealt with as part of the overall Exeter village/park/hall plan, as a matter of urgency.

The Annual General Meeting of the Exeter Village Association Inc., will be held in the Exeter Village Hall on Monday 18 February, 2013 commencing at 7pm.

The following is a response from the area manager for Telstra

Telstra is committed to improving Mobile coverage across Regional Australia and continually reviews services for our customers and communities to ensure we have a superior Network underpinned by accessibility and reliability. The Southern Highlands are no exception and Telstra is very much concerned with providing the best possible services. I am please to advise that over the past 18 months we have installed additional mobile coverage transmission services in Colo Vale and Thirlmere. We also have approved and planned builds scheduled for Bargo and Moss Vale which, subject to regulatory approvals, should be in service some time in the 2013-14 calendar years.

 With respect to your area of specific concern we do have a submission with Council to erect a new tower at the oval in Bundanoon that would directly benefit the coverage in and around Exeter Village. 

The below is a summary of our current situation. 

• Currently the proposed base station for Bundanoon is delayed with Council.
• The Plan of Management was scheduled to go on exhibition to the public in November however this has now been rescheduled to mid February 2013.
• Crown Land will not accept our DA application until the exhibition process has been completed.

 Hopefully the process will have a positive outcome and we can proceed to DA stage with the council. 

We welcome your interest and would suggest that you, as well as other interested members of your community, express your support for the project to members of the Council once the plan of management is available for public comment. 

Thanks again for your interest in improving mobile coverage for your community and look forward to positive outcomes following the consultation process next month. 

I trust the above has been of assistance and please don’t hesitate to contact me should you require any further information. 

Regards, 

Michael Marom Area General Manager

Endeavour Energy has responded formally to our submission of April, 2012 concerning the placement of concrete power poles in the village. Please click on the following link to read Endeavour’s letter. 121218 L_EVA response signed

EVA members will have the opportunity of discussing how best to object to this impost, at the general meeting on Monday 18 February, 2013 (which will follow the AGM).

Residents of Exeter and Sutton Forrest have had a newsletter from Endeavour Energy delivered, in which it attempts to set out how that organisation proposes to address the issues raised by EVA.  For those that have not received this newsletter it is posted below, and we apologise for the poor reproduction of the scanned document.

EMAIL DISCLAIMER: This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete the message. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and are not necessarily the views of Wingecarribee Shire Council. This email may be made available to third parties in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.

University of Wollongong has a clinical education campus based in Bowral where 5-6, 3^rd year medical students spend a year of their training.  The University is very keen to ensure that these students engage with the local community in a way that enhances their understanding of rural life.  This is both for a better understanding of delivering health care in this environment and also to improve the chances of young doctors choosing rural or remote area to practice in.

The students have been given a wide range of community activities to engage in however, the University is also interested in whether there are any rural families who might be interested in offering ‘host family’ contact with these students. This does not involve billeting but might mean including a student in occasional family or local events. The frequency and nature of the contact would be established between the family and the students.

I am seeking permission to use our Community Association network to seek expressions of interest from our members who could reply to me at elizabethellis@ozemail.com.au or 0411032712.  I will leave it to your association’s discretion as to whether you forward this email on to your members.  However, it is likely to be in the broader community interest if we can persuade young doctors that life outside the major metropolitan areas is a worthwhile place to live and practice health care

A public meeting will be held in the Bundanoon Memorial Hall on Tuesday 4 September, commencing at 7.30pm.  This event is hosted by the Bundanoon Community Association and is an ideal opportunity for residents to hear from the candidates, especially concerning their policies effecting the villages is the southern part of the Shire.

 Wingecarribee Shire Council wishes to advise that as part of its ongoing road maintenance program, work is continuing at the intersection of Exeter Road, Bundanoon Road, Middle Road and Badgery’s Way, Exeter.

 The work includes the temporary smoothing of the asphalt road pavement edges and restoration of pedestrian access in the vicinity of the Village Pump Antiques and the Exeter General Store.

 In the week commencing 17 September, Council will begin construction of new, coloured concrete kerb and guttering work at the intersection as well as construction of two new bus stops. This work follows the construction of storm water drainage work and deep lift asphalt pavement work recently completed.

 Subject to approval of funding by the new Council in late September, it is proposed to finalise all master planning work at the intersection including the provision of new pedestrian crossing facilities, new coloured concrete paths, gardens and signage at full cost to Council.

 Pedestrian and driver sight distances will also be improved with a view to improved road safety in the area.

 Motorists are advised that there may be changed traffic conditions and to exercise care when travelling through work zones.

 During the works motorists may experience short delays. Council apologises for any inconvenience.

For further information contact Council on 4868 0888.