MAC Inc board at their book launch at Killara House: Lou Hamon, Kerrie Murrell, Karyn Day, Liliana Zito, Kerrie-Anne Rappell, Marilyn Gourley, Estelle Chalker.
Photo by
Contributed
Moira Arts and Culture (MAC Inc) launched a coffee table book recently, celebrating and showcasing the success of local artists in the district and in acknowledgment of the diversity of their artistic talents.
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Various talented artists from outside the district, and from a broad skill base, were invited to showcase their work at venues across Moira Shire, boosting local interest in an array of events not normally available to them, held for the past nine years between 2013-2022.
It was the vision of Moira Shire Arts and community development officer Marilyn Gourley that MAC Inc was formed.
The aim of the group was to bring people across the shire together who shared a passion for the arts.
With initial and subsequent funding from Moira Shire Council, the group comprising Kerrie Murrell, Alex Monk, Lou Harmon and Estelle Chalker were in it from the beginning, with many others coming and going.
Later, new board members were recruited including Karyn Day, Rob Elliott, Kerrie-Anne Rappell, valuable executive assistant Liliana Zito and Marg Coulter (dec).
Other enthusiastic members to play a valuable role came and went, including Carolyn Ryan, Kathryn Maddox, Janet Tett, Janet Schwartz, Marie Martin and Neeska Robinson.
Each board member of MAC Inc brought much-needed enthusiasm and energy to what at times would best be described as extremely challenging.
However, the community offered their full support for whatever was on the program and with a hearty thirst constantly looked for more.
Long-term president Kerrie Murrell said one of the group’s greatest achievements was being able to work together over so many different levels and events.
“While working across the shire, meeting different groups and getting perspectives from each town and district was time-consuming, we all had one thing in common, passion for the arts,” she said.
MAC Inc was launched officially with a full house at the Picola Hall with a presentation of the Man they call Banjo on January 10, 2014. The group hit the ground running, going on to support more than 120 organised events over the next nine years.
In particular, ArtFest, the brainchild of Karyn Day, was a huge hit.
Karyn said she put the idea forward to the board, and while it was a lot of work, the group was pleased with the response.
“At that particular time we had undergone the devastation of a drought and people were jaded and really needed a lift and something different in their lives,” Karyn said.
Melinda from Cobram Newsagency with a copy of the MAC Inc. book.
Photo by
Owen Sinclair
There were one-on-one workshops or small groups, and it brought together beginners and established artists willing to share their knowledge and skills.
It proved hugely popular and participants were delighted in the new skills they learnt.
The Café Culture Series was a most amazing introduction, with four performances held each year.
Often the show was unknown, as were the performers, however on the whole each was captivating and thought-provoking.
The St Kilda Film Festival was always very popular and offered an interesting selection of short films by Australian and international filmmakers.
Films would range from 2–25 minutes, some dark and confronting, comical or covering the more serious side of life.
With the Cobram Community Theatre in full swing, it is hoped that the film festival will be hosted again in Cobram.
Essential Theatre delighted lovers of Shakespeare with their series ‘Shakespeare in the Vines’, held initially at Thompsons Beach.
It was followed each year at Byramine Homestead, in an idyllic natural setting, as the sun set over the landscape during the final performance.
Modern interpretations of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Much Ado about Nothing were thoroughly delightful with theatre goers across all age groups applauding enthusiastically.
There were so many wonderful events that it is impossible to mention them all.
However, the efforts of the board of MAC Inc, to bring to the region an opportunity for people to embrace the arts, where previously there had been little opportunity, is nothing short of outstanding.
While the group has disbanded, it is hoped that aspects of what MAC Inc initiated are picked up by other individuals who recognise the efforts put in to embrace art across Moira Shire.
Buy your MAC Inc book today
A delightful comprehensive coffee table book showcasing MAC Inc board’s success, the events, volunteers, performers and teachers across the breadth of our artistic world, together with a detailed calendar of events held between 2013-2022 is now available from Cobram Post Office, Cobram Newsagency and Barooga Post Office.
If you contact Karyn Day on 0448 624 865 you can purchase your copy for just $30.
