​President's Report 

I have only been in the President role with NEA since May this year.  Thank you to Hazel Frankland for her work as President prior to this.

There have been many changes in the Management team in the last 12 months; however I would like to acknowledge the contributions of all members who have held positions on the management team during this time.  Although circumstances meant they were no longer able to continue in their elected roles, thanks must go to Hazel Frankland, Ruth Mollison, Pete Raftos, Jennifer Gill, Cornelia Selover, Emi Day and Janet Leith.

I cannot speak highly enough of the current Management Team.  I have had the honour of working with Jarita Stubbs as Treasurer; Kylie Pitts as Secretary; deSales Turner as Volunteer coordinator; Team reps: Valerie Clements for the Gallery Shop; Michaela Alexander for Music events; Frank Burgers for studios and OH&S; Janet Leith and more recently Simon Klose as Exhibitions Coordinator.  A very special thank you from me goes to Sally Wallace for her amazing support as Vice President over the last few months.

I am sure all members of North East Artisans are proud of the achievements of our organisation over the last 12 months; however it is our volunteers who should be congratulated.  From our gallery shop volunteers through to our team members and Management Committee--what we have achieved and continue to achieve is the result of your efforts, so thank you!

The last 12 months has seen us grow in terms of confidence in our organisation as well as attracting the attention of others organisations, the broader community, community leaders and media outlets.  Our teams have been working cohesively and efficiently in helping to strengthen our commitment to providing a thriving local arts community in Benalla and the North EAst.

I wish the incoming Management Committee all the best in the future development of North East Artisans and trust that they will continue to uphold our values and vision.  This does not mean we should never evolve or transform; whatever direction we take in the future, the heart that is NEA will continue to beat.

Deb Dodd
​September 2019

President/Chairperson                                                Tim Bowtell 
Vice President/ Vice Chairperson                             Sally Wallace 
Secretary                                                                        Kylie Pitts 
Treasurer                                                                        Jarita Stubbs 
Volunteer Coordinator/Team Rep                             deSales Turner 
Gallery Shop Coordinator/Team Rep                       Valerie Clements 
Media/Marketing Coordinator/Team Rep               Jake Bowtell
Studio Coordinator/Team Rep                                   Frank Burgers
OH&S Officer/Team Rep                                             Frank Burgers
Exhibitions Coordinator/Team Rep                           Simon Klose
Workshops & Bookings Coordinator/Team Rep     Annie Longmuir
Music Events Coordinator/Team Rep                       Michaela Alexander
Ordinary Member                                                         Cathy Pianta 

The North East Artisans Annual General Meeting will be held at North East Artisans, 122 Bridge Street East, Benalla on Tuesday 17th September , commencing at 7pm sharp.

All members are invited to attend.

Nominations for positions will be welcome from anyone with skills to offer and a willingness to play a part in the running of NEA.

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Deb Dodd, President
On behalf of the Management Committee

NE. Artisans Inc A0090960Y
122 Bridge St Benalla, Victoria 3672
www.northeastartisans.org   
www.facebook.com/NE.Artisan
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"NEA began four years ago as an idea; to support the arts in Benalla and surrounding areas. This idea was to take the form of a pop-up shop which opened its doors in the three weeks prior to Christmas 2014, to provide an opportunity for local artists to sell their work in that pre-Christmas period.  In the four years since then, NEA continues to exist and even flourish. It has by now established its credentials and has become part of the art landscape of the North East.

In those four years there have been many changes, amongst the most significant being, a move to new premises, and an increase in member numbers. Since most of the original management committee have stepped down or moved on, this has meant that many of the people whose “idea” got NEA off the ground in the first place are no longer involved in carrying it forward.

For the current management team, this in itself has presented challenges, around finding the best way forward as well as dealing with the various opportunities and the often-accompanying difficulties in taking advantage of them. During the past year we have had a number of members of the executive step down for a variety of reasons, all of them valid.  A factor which has become evident is the reality of “burnout” as people find themselves snowed under by the workload of keeping what has become a rather large though friendly beast, running on an even keel.  

Into the future if NEA is to survive it will require more involvement by more of its members in order to spread the load. A strong executive will be necessary, as will a paid manager.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed, in whatever way, to the running of NEA in the past year.  people who have supported us by their encouragement and appreciation of what we do, have helped make art and creativity an important part of the richness and variety that is life in the North east.

Thanking individuals in a situation like this would inevitably lead to omissions. However, one person I would like to thank personally is Meralyn Vincent. Meralyn took on the role of treasurer during the year in spite of failing health, acquitting it with diligence, competence and a wicked sense of humour. She finally handed in the books only a couple of weeks ago when she no longer had the strength to continue. Meralyn is currently in hospital. Thank you for your contribution Meralyn your beautiful smile and your courage.

Seamus Foley,
Outgoing President 

A message to all the wonderful Artisans, Volunteers & Friends of NEA

If you are currently exhibiting, volunteering, or have exhibited, or been involved in some way with North East Artisans, we are informing you of our upcoming AGM.

It will be held on Tuesday 13th September, 2016 at the NEA building, 122 Bridge St, Benalla. Join us from 5.30 for a pre-meeting barbecue (bring your own meat and a plate of fingerfood) or 6:30pm for pre meeting nibbles, with the AGM starting promptly at 7pm and finishing at 8:30pm. There will be brief reports about what’s been happening at NEA over the last 18 months, our finances and our future.

All positions on the Management Committee will be declared open and nominations accepted on the night, and the week prior to the AGM. Please seriously consider how you can be involved. Remember that the Management Committee are just a bunch of dedicated volunteers who really want to see NEA succeed and be around for the long term, so we would really LOVE for a lot more people to be involved.

The Management Committee consists of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, as well as a representative from all the different NEA teams.  If you’re not so keen on being on the Management Committee, but would still like to be involved, please consider joining one or more of the NEA Teams. There’s always room for more people.
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If you are unable to make it and are a member or becoming one, a Proxy form is available.

​**IMPORTANT** If you would like to vote at the AGM, you need to be a registered member. Currently NEA memberships cost nothing but the time it takes to fill out the membership form, which gives you the right to vote at the AGM. These need to be returned to NEA in person or to northeastartisans@gmail.com no later than Monday, 29th August, 2016.

Looking forward to seeing you at the AGM on September 13th.


Carla Gardner,
NE. Artisans Inc. Secretary

NE. Artisans Inc A0090960Y
122 Bridge St Benalla, Victoria 3672
www.northeastartisans.org   
www.facebook.com/NE.Artisans