2016 Country Arts WA Exchange

Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra

Committed to creating better connections across WA and to assist in building skills and capacity across the regions, Country Arts WA have been facilitating the annual gathering of regional arts workers now for six years.

Middlemore House, our home away from home.

This year, held in the Karla Booja region we began the Exchange on 14th November by acknowledging the Noongar people as the first traditional custodians of the land on which we were meeting.

Throughout the 2.5 day exchange, RRAC members; Ainsley Foulds, Fay O'Brien and Coordinator; Kirsty Duffy attended a series of Open Space Forums, Sharing Stories Workshops, a Finance Workshop, as well as Funding Evaluation follow ups and Funding Program discussions. Constructive and informative, the sessions allowed discussions and input from regional groups. Delegates had a chance to raise important questions and input as much or a little as they felt comfortable.

Fay, Ainsley & Kirsty

In particular, we shared  information about our journey as an organization including our governance model, getting to know our community, how we make use of technology to unbind us from the restrictions of living in a remote area, how we celebrate our achievements, how we partner with other local non profit groups, and how we continue to overcome committee burn-out.

Credit goes to all of the regional arts groups that attended the Exchange.

From Albany to Derby and beyond, a great bunch of regional arts workers, including paid workers and volunteers, showed passion and integrity during discussions.

Thank you to Country Arts WA for continuing this important networking and professional development opportunity. It is very clear that there is an overwhelming importance and love for regional arts.

Ricky Arnold speaking to the delegates.

Discussion Board

There was even fun and games. Concentration was high.

And..... peacocks.

Travel was made possible by Country Arts WA and Lotterywest Funding.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA, which receives funding from the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest.

Buses and Sunsets

Who remembers laughing until tears emerged at the Jerdacuttup Hall in March?
How about dancing your kilt off at the Ceihidh in September?
Did you attend the 2016 Ravensthorpe Wildflower Gala Dinner, and ride the bus in from Ravensthorpe?

Throughout 2016, thanks to Lotterywest, a free bus service was able to be offered to our community so they could attend community events hassle free.

Jerdacuttup Show 'Everything Must Go'

Photo credit Dene Bingham Photography

The bus transport service we provide allows our community members to more easily access Artistic & Cultural events throughout the year, contributing to an overall sense of belonging and well being, as well as individual health and well being.

We would like to take the time to thank Lotterywest as one of our funding bodies. They hold a vision of 'building a better WA together' and with the funding Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council received in 2016 we have helped to address issues such as driving at night, driving long distances, drinking responsibly, and accessibility to remote regional events.

We look forward to partnering with Lotterywest again in the future, and cant wait to bring another exciting Annual Artistic Calendar of Events to the Shire of Ravensthorpe in 2017.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA, which receives funding from the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest.

Regional Arts Policy Priorities

It's a big deal.

In 2013, Country Arts WA conducted the Vote Arts campaign which called for tangible and public commitment to regional arts and resulted in the injection of $24 million funding into regional arts and culture through the Royalties for Regions Creative Regions Funding.

In addition to seeking a recommitment of this funding, Country Arts WA staff and its Board took to the steps of Parliament on Wednesday 19 October to launch the Regional Arts Policy Framework. This policy was based on the direct feedback and opinions of regional Western Australians from the Regional Arts Policy Priority Survey which identified the key areas of priority for regional communities.

You can view the results from the Regional Arts Policy Priorities Platform Paper within the following link.

CAWA November E News

Please take the time to approach your local Member of Parliament - and those candidates who may be running against them - to talk about how you value the role arts and culture plays in your own community. And how important it is that all political parties need to recommit to the current levels of funding (Priority One) and consider the badly needed increase (Priority Two) we have outlined. Bale them up in the shopping centre, at the sports match where their kids are playing with yours or over a flat white at the local coffee shop. The more people who raise the need for Regional Arts funding on a one-to-one basis, the better chance of success. There is nothing like a groundswell of support to sharpen the mind and focus of a politician.

During January Country Arts WA will again be launching their Vote Arts campaign to provide a simple means of writing letters to local members - but this final step of raising their awareness works better if they've already had local conversations.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA, which receives funding from the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest.

The List

A  Night at the Hopetoun Community Centre

Where’s my shopping List? I know it’s in my handbag somewhere, or maybe I left it at home on the fridge? Sound familiar? We all write Lists. Be it at work or home.

On the 30^th of September at the Hopetoun Community Centre, Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council presented “The List”, a one woman play hosted by Fragmented Artists and directed by Suzanne Ingelbrecht.

Audience members were graced with an intriguing performance by Gemma Cavoli, who’s character, a woman in her thirties, interweaved the telling of how her friend died with the details of ongoing ‘lists’ of things she must do for her home and family. The performance had audience members delving into their own pasts, relating to this mother-character, laughing, sympathising, and holding back tears. A deep and almost thrilling ride of the character’s emotional journey, that most could very much relate to. It was a good thing the bar was open after the show.

Immediately after the performance was a Question and Answers session. This compelling drama exploring obsession, guilt and the power of friendship left the audience keen to ask questions of the Actor and Director. A wonderful compliment to the show, and a great opportunity for interaction between our community and the visiting artists.

Some comments from audience members included; “Quite a deep performance, it really made me think outside the box”, “The Q&A was an excellent addition to the show, it really made the night”, “I really enjoyed it, it was not something you get to see every day”, “I think we could all relate to the character”, “I didn’t really understand all of it, but I enjoyed it anyway” and "It was a great that RRAC presented a show that was a little different from your mainstream TV shows".

Those who joined in with food and festivities before and after the show wrote their own lists anonymously which were displayed on the night. Some of the lists were funny, some were serious, and some were downright saucy! The evening overall was relaxed and enjoyable. Thanks to Kristin’s Kitchen for the super tasty pre-show food, and to the RRAC Committee for supplying sweets. Most of all we thank the community for continuing to support the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council in its endeavours to bring our community together through Culture and the Arts.

Photography by Dene Bingham.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council is supported by the Departments of Culture and the Arts and Regional Development, Royalties for Regions and Country Arts WA.

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA, which receives funding from the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest.

Rags to Riches

Virtual Exhibition

Welcome to a Virtual Exhibition, brought to you by Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council Inc.

Held at the Ravensthorpe Hall throughout the September 2016 Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, the Rags to Riches exhibition showcased entries that were judged in 2 categories; Rag Fashion and Rag Passion. Over $1700 in prized were up for grabs. To qualify for the judging, the entries must have contained at least one piece of rag supplied in Rag Bundles by the Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council.

Rags to Riches Exhibition, Ravensthorpe Hall September 2016.

All Welcome, no charge, but a coin donation was appreciated and will go towards bringing a dynamic artistic calendar of events to the Ravensthorpe Shire.

First of all, lets view the winners of the "Rag Fashion" category.

First Prize - Tamara Kuipers "Rosette"

Second Prize - Wilma's Sewing Group's

"Josephs Coat of Many Colours"

Third Prize - Nathalie Grant's "Bright as a Button"

Secondly, the winning entries of the "Rag Passion" category.

First Prize - Beryl Semple's "The Passion"

Close up of one of Beryl's Magpies

Second Prize - Sophie & Amberley Daw's "Seat Full of Memories"

Third Prize - Louise Lodge's "My Grand Design"

Now for the one we had all been waiting for - the People's Choice Award...

Val & Paul Metz's - Henry the Rooster

Rags to Riches received 26 entries overall from across the Ravensthorpe Shire.

Teddies & Teapots by Wanadoo Creations

Rag Mat by Margaret Pike

Superior Firelighters by Margaret Pike

Woven Scarf by Judy Harp

A Fun Sports Scarf by Sandra Kohen

Pot Trivets by Wanadoo Creations

Baby Scraps Tummy Rug by Helen King

The Odd One Out by Shirl Sutherland

Raggedy Anne by The Wednesday Quilters

Macramé Hanging Pots by Tracie-Elise Chambers

Criss Cross Cushion by Harrison Agnew

Sexy Apron, Trendy Vest, Head Piece & Hand Bag

by Jennifer C. Biddulph

Back Pack by Jennifer C. Biddulph

Rags to Riches of the Digestive System

by Jennifer C. Biddulph

Socks by Chenda Goldfinch

The Essential is Invisible by Chenda Goldfinch

Rag Dolls by Ravensthorpe DHS Years 2 & 3

Rag Mats by Ravensthorpe DHS Kindy to Year 1 Classes

This project was proudly supported by;

The Community of the Shire of Ravensthorpe


Kyle Forsyth at Ravensthorpe Landmark (08) 9838 1081

Darrell Panizza of Wesfarmers Federation Insurance Ltd.
Tel: 0427 429 496
darrell.panizza@wfi.com.au  

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives funding from and is supported by the
Shire of Ravensthorpe

Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council receives core funding from Country Arts WA, which receives funding from the State Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts and Lotterywest.