In July 2019 marks 40years since the coming together of the first committee and the first office for the MAC.
In this post Lost Mundaring and Surroundings discusses the first location at Mahogany Creek and the founding committee of the MAC.
Part 1 History of MAC....
Jenny Mills credits Robin Larkin, the Recreation Officer for the Mundaring Shire Council in the late 1970s as the person who first promoted the idea of a community arts centre for the area. With Shire CEO Max Williams as an ally, she persuaded BP to sell its disused service station and land at Mahogany Creek for a nominal $20,000 to the Shire for the purposes of an Arts Centre. She sought advice from Hal Missingham, who suggested she contact Philippa O’Brien, and an ambitious discussion about the possibility of a regional art gallery commenced.
In 1979 a public meeting was arranged in the Mundaring Hall to which Frank Ellis, AGWA Director, was invited. Nominations for the Art Centre Board were called for and Roy Weston was elected first president, Jenny Mills elected Secretary and Drusilla Williams nee Monson appointed Treasurer. Other member on the first board included Robin Larkin, Richard Woldendorp, John Blakely, Berry Ambrose, Paul Beck and Philippa O’Brien.
Later that year a morning tea was arranged to encourage people to become members or friends of the Arts Centre. Patricia and Michael Wilkinson Cox attended and would become towers of strength for the Arts Centre. The main funding for the Arts Centre was provided by the Shire of Mundaring to cover the costs of staffing and administration as well as some limited project funding. Grants from a number of federal and state funding bodies together with Midland-based business sponsorship provided the additional financial resources required to operate viably and successfully. From the start, a need to generate one’s own income was also recognised, so a gallery shop and MAC membership base became important sources of self supporting income together with numerous fund raising activities.
Thank you to the Mundaring Arts Centre for the great photo for 1979 and information!
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