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PHYLLIS AUSTIN AWARD |
| The Phyllis Austin Perpetual Memorial Trophy is an open competition for all LCACA members. The perpetual trophy, "Sleeping Platypus" wooden sculpture by John Van Der Kolk is awarded to a member for an excellent piece of original fine art/craft work (see more about the award below). Entries for the Phyllis Austin Memorial Trophy 2011 are now being taken. This prestigious award is open to all members of the Lower Clarence Arts and Crafts Association Inc. who have not previously won the award. The winner will get to hold the Phyllis Austen Memorial Trophy for twelve months and will also receive a $500 prize. Entries are $5.00. Forms are available at the Ferry Park Gallery from October 9th, Completed forms, along with the $5.00 entry fee must be submitted to the Gallery by 5.00pm on Friday October 28. Entries must be delivered to the Gallery by November 4th for judging. Presentation of the Trophy will be at the Gallery on November 18th at 6.30pm. After judging the works will be displayed in the members room for one month. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ENTRY FORM |
| After retiring in Iluka with her husband Reg, Phyllis Austin joined the LCACA around 1988 when members were struggling to raise funds towards a building to accommodate the interests of the association. The membership was around 50 members. Although suffering health problems Phyllis took on a mission to boost membership towards seeking grants to help our fundraising. Within a year she had increased the membership to 250. This became enough community interest to present to the council and government that we were really serious about the need. Phyllis was relentless in approaching Council, State and Federal members to secure enough money for our home. Members were diligent in working at all types of fundraising activities. In 1991, our silver jubilee year, we had raised $50,000 and the State Government awarded a grant matching $50,000. In 1993 we received a Federal Government Grant of $50,000. The Association was approached by the Maclean Council to contribute our money towards the construction of the Lower Clarence Visitors Centre to house the associations office, workshop and gallery space under a lease arrangement. Our home opened to the public December 22 1993. Sadly Phyllis died August 1994. She did see her vision as a reality and we named the then studio in her name, in February1994. The Iluka painters and the Austin family funded the Perpetual Trophy as a memorial of her untiring work. |
