Rotary Art Show Daylesford District Community Bank Awards Night kicked off the annual Melbourne Cup weekend art show, a major fund-raiser for Daylesford Rotary.

Opening night was well attended. Guests were greeted with drinks, a wonderful grazing table lovingly prepared by Gary Thomas and his staff at Spade to Blade and music from local band, Silverhair.

The show features over 100 paintings from local artists and demonstrates the depth of talent of our artistic community.

Daylesford District Community Bank sponsored the opening night. “Bendigo Bank moved into small towns to fill the void left as the bigger banks left,” said Daylesford Branch manager Melanie Tudball.” “And they recognised the need to invest in the local community so the Community Bank model was born. Since the Daylesford branch opened 10 years ago, we have invested over $900,000 in the local community through supporting events like the Rotary Art Show.”

Phillip Edwards, a realist landscape artist who lives in Bullarto and owns and operates the Bullarto Studio and Gallery, was the judge of the show. In his introductory remarks, he said he was very impressed by the quality of the works in the show. He spoke briefly about his reasons for selecting works in each category before presenting the winners with certificates and prizes.

Winners in each category were:

  • First Prize ($2000): Gwenda McDougall, Forget Me Not (Sponsored by Blooms Pharmacy, Daylesford)
  • Second Prize: ($1500): Yvonnede Valle, Gatehouse Humffray St (Sponsored by Rotary Trio: Daylesford Rotary Club, Greenwood Strategy and The Birches Daylesford)
  • Third Prize ($1000): Paul Ainsworth, Tonka Barbie (Sponsored by Daylesford Meat Co)
  • Youth Prize ($750): Gem Williamson, Douglas (Sponsored by Biggin and Scott)
  • Landscape: Geoff Paynter, Inland Moonrise (Sponsored by That Bargain Place)
  • Central Victorian Landscape (Bullarto Gallery Mentorship): Liz Bennet, My Home Town
  • Animalia: Catherine Tait, Resting Grey (Sponsored by Daylesford Equestrian)
  • Portrait: Yvonne de Valle, Margaret Ollie (Sponsored by Springs Medical)
  • Abstract: Marina Chamberlain, Perennial (Sponsored by That Bargain Place)
  • Still Life: Carolyn Marrone, Trash or Treasure? (Sponsored by Very Funerals)
  • Nude: Wen Jing Huang, Nude (Sponsored by Daylesford Rotary)

Gem Williamson with “Douglas”. (Photo: Tim Bach)

An impressive young artist recognised on the evening, was Gem Williamson. Her coloured  pencil drawing of a homing pigeon titled Douglas, which won the $750 Youth Prize, is one of a number of animal portraits that the 15 year old artist from Woodend has done. Douglas was a homing pigeon who appeared to get lost and landed on the bonnet of the family car near the cross on Mt Macedon. A number of her earlier works, also coloured pencil on paper, have been commissioned and Douglas was one of the first pieces sold on the night. Along with her prize, Gem is earning well for such a young artist.

Show curator Jenny Hopkins was very grateful to all of the generous sponsors who made the show possible.

A spokesperson for Blooms Chemist, sponsor of the $2000 Best in Show prize said, ““Supporting the Community is integral to our business model and the Art Community is integral to the identity of Daylesford. We love being a part of this incredible community. It is an honour to serve and to give back to the community.”

The Daylesford Meat Company sponsored the $1000 Third Prize. “They are wonderful supporter of the Show and of the town,” said Jenny. “Their product, cooking tips and enthusiastic greetings all come as part of their package.”

Sally and David Stagg have been sponsoring the Animalia Category for at least seven years. Sally runs the magnificent Daylesford equestrian centre at Musk, where, through training teaching and horse stewardship they help people ride to the best of their ability, look after their horses correctly, and get the best out of the sport.

Biggin and Scott Real Estate sponsored the Youth Prize for the first time and were pleased with the result. “This is a forerunner of more to come with the encouragement of our local 15-25 year old artists,” they said.

Debra Wellam’s That Bargain Place has been an outstanding supporter of The Daylesford Art Show for years. “That Bargain Place is fundamental to the town of Daylesford and beyond,” Said Jenny Hopkins. “We can find virtually anything in That Bargain Place but sadly, not Debra Wallam who has escaped to Fiji undoubtedly escaping the accolades that she should be receiving here right now! Rotary wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary gifts that have been provided by That Bargain Place, not just to the Art Show but also for so many other organisations in the community. Not only is That Bargain Place sponsoring The Landscape category as well as the Abstract category but also, they have provided Second Prize for the Raffle – $500 worth of art supplies.”

The Still Life Category was sponsored by Very Funerals. Alicia Kay from Very Funerals organised the Rotary Art show as an online event during the pandemic lockdowns of the past two years. “The Community supports us and we certainly support the community!” said Alicia. “We love to support the arts so much so, that this is our 7th annual sponsorship of the Daylesford Rotary Art Show.”

The exhibition at the Daylesford Town Hall is open to the public from Friday, October 28 through to Tuesday, November 1. Entry is free.