Newsletter

Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery

Newsletter

Edition 11/17

Viv Wheeler, Pink Abstract

December 2017/

January 2018

December 2017/

January 2018

2 IN THIS EDITION

Contents:

In This Edition 2

Art Gallery: Minuscule 3

Art Gallery: Coastal Connections 4

Art Gallery: Annual Report 5

Carolyn Theatre:

Four Shows One Season 6

Carolyn Theatre: Café Culture Series 7

Carolyn Theatre: Annual Report 8

Focus on Film: Season 18 9

Focus on Film: Annual Report 10

Been and Seen: A Walk on the Wild Side 11

Calendar of Events 12

Community Feedback 13

Around the Community 14

Welcome to the December/January newsletter,

our last for 2017. RRRTAG would not be possible

without the incredible work of all its volunteers

and therefore we present the annual reports

from the different teams, including the President

of the Committee of Management and reports

from the Carolyn Theatre, Art Gallery and Film

Society committees.

The newsletter also contains great information

about the range of events planned in 2018.

Enjoy reading this edition and all the best for the

holiday season from the RRRTAG team.

President’s Report – Committee of

Management – November 23rd

, 2017

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the AGM of

our Committee of Management.

For future reference, I list the members of this

committee in 2017: Martin Roche (vice

president), Sue Cauble (secretary), Robyn Perrin

(treasurer) Jim Ryan, Christine Smith, Sue

Warriner, Lyn Heppner, Andrew Beale, Suzanne

Frydman (to June), Bob Warriner (from May),

Rosemary Richardson and Garry Richardson

(president).

We recognise the help of our community

partners COPACC and Colac Area Health, and

grants and funding from Regional Arts Victoria

and the Colac Otway Shire.

Rather than list the achievements of the year, I

would refer you to the newsletter and the

reports of the subcommittees. The range and

success of activities carried out is quite

remarkable, and I would emphasise that it is all

done by people working voluntarily. In

particular, I thank:

1. The volunteers on the various committees.

2. Peter Cakebread and Suzanne Frydman for

producing the newsletter. Deborah Baillie for

managing our website.

3. Creative Victoria for theatre event funding.

4. Staff at Cow Lick Bookshop, Embrey’s General

Store, and Rhodes Veterinary Clinic for

assisting with our events and ticket sales.

5. Rowan and Dominique Little at Red Rock Wine

Logistics.

6. Mary Beale for help in many areas including

the grounds and garden.

To those I’ve missed, I can only apologise. But let

me add, separately, my appreciation of our

secretary and treasurer. The president’s job is to

preside, but without those two jobs done so well

there would be little to preside over. RRRTAG will, I

am sure, continue to offer a range of artistic and

cultural opportunities. I now retire from RRRTAG,

confident that it will continue to prosper

sustainably. Garry Richardson

ART GALLERY 3

4 ART GALLERY

Art Gallery Annual Report: 5

Gallery ~ Annual Report

The Gallery committee continued to provide opportunities for established, emerging and aspiring artists to exhibit their work in a supportive and professional environment, at the same time creating opportunities for community members to view a fabulous range of exhibitions. More than 2,000 weekend gallery visitors will have been recorded by the end of this year. Additionally, theatre and film goers, school groups and special interest groups also took the opportunity to view the exhibitions and learn about the artists exhibiting. Feedback from visitors and exhibiting artists, along with comments in the ‘Visitors’ Book’, on Facebook and in emails, continue to remind of us of how fortunate we are to have this unique gallery space on our doorstep.

A snapshot of RRRTAG’s exhibitions in 2017:

January

Urban Tract: an intriguing range of 2 & 3D artworks designed by 16 members of ‘GASP’ (Glass Addicts’ Support Group)

February Focus: Nine members of the Colac Camera Club displayed their amazing photography skills with 62 works exhibited.

March Through the Looking Glass: 2 & 3D vibrant artworks by Camperdown-based artist Merrian Dennis.

April Ink-credible 2: An open theme, curated printmaking exhibition that included etching, mono printing, photo gravure, relief and screen printing.

May The Art of Sport: Works of local artists and those from further afield included cartoons, collage, digital

photography, glassmaking, printmaking, painting, textile/fibre, sculpture and indigenous artist Nathan Patterson’s AFL football jumper designs.

June Reflections in Encaustic: American born, Birregurra-based artist Mary McLaren showcased this ancient wax painting technique using bold line and colour with intricate detail and texture in this solo exhibition.

July CrossXpollinatioN: A textile and fibre art exhibition held annually in partnership with COPACC showcased creative 2 and 3D artworks from artists from all around Victoria addressing the theme ‘flight’.

August conceit’17: The prestigious Corangamarah Art Prize, held annually in collaboration with Colac Area Health, attracted 78 entries from around Australia and one international entry. Victoria Howlett was awarded the $7,500 prize for her entry ‘Picnic in the Hills’.

September

Ichi-go iche-e ‘one time – one meeting’: Melbourne-based artists David Menzies and Rebecca Hicks paired up to bring together a love of art, an interest in people and a fascination with the natural world.

October All Things Botanical: a curated exhibition featuring the work of 21 artists using a range of media including

painting, lino-cut, photography, printmaking, cast and fused glass, mixed media and handmade silver jewellery

November

A Walk on the Wild Side: Local portrait and wildlife artist Bev Jacobs drew her inspiration for this solo exhibition from her experiences travelling.

December Minuscule: an exhibition of 251, unframed works on 15 x 15cm canvases. Entries included those from artists, schools, all-ability and aged care groups and those just wanting to have a bit of fun!

The Gallery Committee meets on the 3rd

Tuesday of each month (excluding December).

Committee Members in 2017:

Deb Baillie Angela Baldwin Sandy Batten

Jane Bear Helene Bell Sue Cauble

Shana Edwards Jan Stickland Viv Wheeler

We are always looking for helpers so if you would like to become involved in some way please email us at redrockexhibitions@gmail.com and we will get back to you within 48hrs.

Our key objectives for 2018 and planning for 2019 are based around ensuring the sustainability of the Gallery and its vision of using this beautiful space to deliver high-level, wide-ranging exhibitions.

RRRTAG’s exhibition calendar for 2018 is already filled with plenty of opportunities for keen artists to enter their work. The calendar and exhibition entry information will be available to view on our webpage at the start of the new year.

Sue Cauble, Gallery Coordinator

6 CAROLYN THEATRE:

CAROLYN THEATRE 7

8 CAROLYN THEATRE:

CAROLYN THEATRE ANNUAL REPORT 2017

The Carolyn Theatre has reached the end of its 2017 presentations. The year was one of significantly

diverse and professional shows proving to be a huge success due to expert performances, excellent

promotions and the availability of seasons’ tickets. Our website and this newsletter, as well as word of

mouth, also provided excellent contact with people in our district. Since opening its doors to the public

as a space made available for the use of the community, the Carolyn Theatre is now at the forefront of

unique regional Victorian venues. Used by local businesses and schools, our theatre and our gallery

combine as a venue supporting local arts and talents.

The following presentations took place during the year:

February - Carmen - Bizet’s ever-popular music coupled with a mix of Latin, salsa, jazz and blues, proved

to be a popular performance.

March - Hot Club Swing - an evening of French gypsy song.

April - Archie Roach - Archie visits our theatre to give our audience the pleasure of sharing his stories

and songs. Always a hit.

May - Liza and Judy - again Galit Klas and Alan Kogosowski brought us an evening of wonderful music,

this time presenting songs by Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli.

June - Return to the Well – jazz, modern music, local food and wine and a toe-tapping performance by

three great bands – Gazjaz, The Hip Replacements and The Runaways.

July - Kutcha Edwards – Kutcha’s generosity of bringing his songs and stories to us was of great interest

and entertainment to a full house.

August - The Crow Family - an interesting play depicting the relationship of a human family with that of a

family of crows living in their garden and the ever- encroaching building development into their quiet

urban street.

September - Mystery in the Air - took us back to the style of radio broadcasts in the 40s. The humour of

Michael Veitch and Simon Oats had our sides splitting with laughter.

October - Birdcage Thursdays – a play depicting the emotions of an aged lady, a hoarder, who resisted

the assistance offered by her teenage daughter.

October - Revival House - Phase One Intent - Presented by soprano Louise Keast after her trip to Germany

during a harsh winter. The story was depicted in film and opera with a presentation of two German Song

Cycles.

November - Memoirs of a Scottish Bride – Presented by Christine Middleton, the story of women who

travelled to Australia after WWII to become war brides - a very pleasant afternoon’s entertainment.

November - The Colac Players - Laying the Ghost – a talented cast entertained the audience with a

wonderful, professional and intriguing play.

Michelle Benjamin – entertained with her singing and her music students.

In September, we conducted the Poetry Competition which was a delightful day attended by students

from local and surrounding Primary Schools. The poems submitted by the students were of a high

standard making the judging a difficult task. First, second and third place getters were rewarded with a

medal, but it was thought that all students were winners on the day which was lots of fun.

We thank Creative Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria for their continued involvement, inspiration and

assistance.

It is no secret that the delicious suppers prepared by Sue Cauble and Mary Beale served at every show are

much appreciated. Thanks to Mary and Sue as well as to all members of our hard-working committees

who keep the wheels turning and to Suzanne Frydman and Peter Cakebread for their work on this

newsletter. Thanks also to Neal Drinnan at Cow Lick Bookshop and the Cororooke General Store for

assisting with ticket sales and to the Colac Herald for publishing stories about our shows.

As we leave 2017, we look forward to an exciting programme for 2018.

Lyn Heppner, Theatre Committee Coordinator

FOCUS ON FILM 9

For information on becoming a member go to our website www.redrockarts.com.au or call into Rhodes Veterinary Clinic to sign up

10 FOCUS ON FILM

RED ROCK FILM SOCIETY 2017

What a wonderful year we have had at the Film Society.

Many members have commented that we have shown the

‘best’ movie this year...and seven movies have qualified as

the ‘best’!! Hopefully we can maintain the standard in

2018.

Story lines, tension levels, cinematic styles and locations

were very diverse; the only continents that we missed were

Africa and Antarctica. Given that we had two African-based

films in 2015 perhaps a penguin film will complete our

Continent Count in the future.

This year we were represented at a Federation of Victorian

Film Society forum held in Camperdown. Issues discussed

included membership attraction and retention, film

selection, succession planning, budgetary constraints,

procedural documentation and technology upgrades which

were all very relevant to our situation. We were the only

society in attendance that has two screenings a month.

We will continue to review our screening policy during next

season to determine if we will continue to have two

screenings a month. A decision will be made prior to July

2018. Currently our membership is 82 and ideally, we

would like in excess of 100 members to continue with our

‘two nights’ policy.

SEASON 12 2018 (Autumn Season)

February A MAN CALLED OVE

March NERUDA

April CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

May THINGS TO COME

June PAWNO

So, come along and join us NEW members - most welcome;

OLD members - most valued.

Thank you to:

Our ever smiling FOF (Friends of Film) team - Sue Cauble,

John Simmonds, Rhonda Mahoney, Barry Mousley, Lorraine

Henkel, Pam Radcliffe, Mary Beale, Andrew Beale, Mike and

Di Rhodes for their energetic and generous contributions;

our reliable and efficient projectionists - Andrew Gledhill

and Jeremy Alsop; the RRRTAG Committee of Management

for their ongoing support; the creative and erudite

newsletter production of Peter Cakebread and Suzanne

Frydman and website coordination by Deb Baillie. Finally

thank you to our loyal and invested members, without you

we would not be able to pursue our passion.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good movie!

Cheryl Creighton

President

Films screened in 2017

STAR RATING / 5

TRUMAN 4.5

’71 3.2

GOD WILLING 4.1

THE GIFT 3.1

DHEEPAN 3.2

SELMA 4.5

THE ASSASSIN 2.8

THE RED VIOLIN 4.6

UMRIKA 4.4

THE FENCER 4.7

Christmas Movie Suggestions-some classic and not so classic films

A Christmas Carol -1938/1971

The Blue Bird -1940

Meet me in St Louis -1944

The Bells of St Mary’s-1945

It’s A Wonderful Life -1946

Miracle on 34th

Street -1947

White Christmas—1957

The Christmas Kid-1967

Mickey’s Christmas Carol-1983

Gremlins-1984

Lethal Weapon-1987

Die Hard-1988

National Lampoon’s Christmas

Vaction-1989

Home Alone -1990

How the Grinch Stole Christmas-

2000

Bad Santa-2003

Love Actually-2003

Joyeux Noel-2005

Silent Night-2012

Nativity 3 Dude Where’s My

Donkey-2014

BEEN AND SEEN: Bev Jacobs 11

Ostrich with attitude

Mob Rules

The artist Bev Jacobs with Christina Wilkins

Eastern Barred Bandicoot

Outfoxed

12 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

GALLERY OPEN Saturdays and Sundays 11am – 4pm (CLOSED for Christmas New Year Break: 4pm Sunday 10

th December – 11am Saturday 13

th January)

Entry by donation

FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY 13

Red Rock Regional Theatre and Gallery space is run for the pleasure of its public supporters. We

thank everyone who visited in 2017 and enjoyed the great range of arts offered through the

Carolyn Theatre, Art Gallery, Film Society and other events and gatherings. We also thank all the

artists and performers who shared their talents with us this year.

We are visited by a range of people, both local and from further afield. We receive verbal and

written feedback through our Comments book, Facebook pages and emails. Here are a few of the

many responses from visitors in 2017.

The tale Christine (Middleton)

told and the music last year was

wonderful. Looking forward to

seeing her again with a different

story and beautiful music.

November, 2017

Blown away! Life changing

experience. July, 2017

I feel very privileged and blessed

to be involved with Art at

RRRTAG!! I have had the

opportunity to have my art

exhibited with other artists at the

Gallery over the last few years,

and everyone associated with the

curating and running of the

Gallery is very hard working,

supportive and positive about

artists like myself, and have an

exciting vision about the future

of the Arts at RRRTAG in

Cororooke and Colac as well.

Thank you everyone at

RRRTAG!!! June, 2017

Laying the Ghost was awesome

– well done Colac Players.

November, 2017

A very interesting exhibition.

Impressed with the venue and

the tour through the gallery.

August, 2017.

Fantastic exhibition and a

beautiful venue. Professionally

presented by a great group.

What a very lucky

community. Well done. June,

2017.

The gallery is a gem in the

farmscape. August, 2017.

Had the best night tonight (at

Kutcha’s performance)!

Looking forward to many

more events at RRRTAG.

Thanks for making me feel

welcome. July, 2017

What a beautiful gallery! Set

in an old church, a huge

chandelier looks down on the

art, which spills into an anti

chamber, the foyer and the

space down to amenities. It's

run by a fabulous and

friendly team. It's a must

visit. August, 2017

Loved all the artwork, the

sculpture. Also loved the

theatre. July, 2107.

Beautiful exhibition in a

beautiful, ethereal space. Very

high standard of work.

Wonderful volunteer. Well

done. June, 2017.

Wonderful venue full of love

and music. Thank you. June

2017.

Please contact Suzanne Frydman at newsletter@redrockarts.com.au with any queries, ideas and feedback.

Deadline for items in the next edition – January 21. Thank you for your ongoing support.

If you no longer wish to subscribe to our newsletter, please let us know.

14 AROUND THE COMMUNITY

As you can see below, there are a range of gorgeous spaces for the arts in our region. A Colac Otway Arts

Trail is planned for the weekend 17–18

March 2018. For more information or to register for these events

please see the Facebook page Colac Otway Arts Trail or email: colacotwayartstrail@gmail. The Colac Otway

Arts Trail Facebook page is currently running a competition to choose a logo for their page. The Winner will

get their artwork used in all the promotional material and a small cash prize of $200. Entries close

December 15 2017.

Plan B Gallery

41 Gravesend St, Colac

Maude Berry: 0407510283

Windowspace – Beeac

79 Main Street, Beeac

Anna Sande: 0419 305 001

Studio 92

70 Murray St, Colac

Bernadette Daly: 0407 818 932

Camperdown Court House Gallery

179 Manifold St, Camperdown

Chris Maguire: (03) 5235 8410

Gellibrand River Gallery

14 Main Road, Gellibrand

Deb Gartland: (03) 5235 8410

Colac Otway Performing Arts

and Cultural Centre

95-97 Gellibrand St, Colac

Hal Martin: 5352 3294