Presented by:
Robyn Emerson
ADFAS Pokolbin AGM
20 November, 2017
ADFAS Pokolbin Young Arts Program has supported and funded a number of arts-based projects and initiatives in 2017 to benefit students at schools in our Local Government Area.
Our Society was very pleased to once again fully fund an operatic performance by Opera Australia Schools Tour. On Tuesday 2nd May 2017, students at Cessnock West Public School were treated to a performance of opera “El Kid” which is a new opera specially designed for young school students, and features the wonderful music of Bizet’s opera “Carmen”. The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by students.
The enthusiasm shown by the students at the school, and the commitment by the Principal, Mrs. Ruth McGlashan, to provide the students with a wonderful cultural experience has resulted in our Committee agreeing to fund a performance of Mozart’s Opera “The Magic Flute” by the Tour Group in 2018. (The performance will be held at the school on Monday 19th March 2018.)
The opera performances are 50 minutes duration, followed by ‘questions and answers’ which the students respond to very enthusiastically. Preparation and follow-up are all part of the cultural experience. Opera Australia Schools Tour provides a Teacher Resource Pack which includes suggestions and classroom extension activities both before and after the opera performance.
Since 2008 we have provided annual funding for a Sydney Excursion for Stage 3 students (years 5 and 6) at Cessnock East Public School. This year’s Excursion took place on 19th July 2017. The 50 students attended the Sydney Opera House for a performance of “The Wolf and Peter” which is an energetic new work from internationally acclaimed CoisCeim Dance Theatre...told through the eyes of the Wolf, inspired by Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf”. We are always delighted to receive ‘Thank You’ letters from the attending students who all described the performance as ‘fantastic theatre’.
Our funding includes coach transport and a picnic lunch which is always very much appreciated by the students and teachers. The Committee has agreed to provide funding for the Cessnock East Public School Sydney Excursion in 2018.
Also this year at Cessnock East Public School, we are providing funding for a number of arts- based prizes to be awarded at the school’s Presentation Day on Wednesday 29th November 2017. These books will be presented for “Inspired Learner Award”. Additionally, we have purchased a book as a donation to the School Library.
ADFAS Pokolbin 2018 Inaugural Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships.
Early in 2017, Chairman Heather Wilson appointed Committee Members Paula Cameron and Sue Abrahams to initiate and progress the awarding of our inaugural 2018 Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship. The Scholarship has been established to encourage the development of all forms of Fine Art for students in senior years of high school including painting, sculpture, music, drama, dance and film.
The aim of the Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students in their final years of school enabling the purchase of equipment or attendance at workshops related to their art. Students from Cessnock High School and Mt. View High School who intended to major in Visual or Performing Arts for the Higher School Certificate were invited to apply for the $1,000 Scholarship.
The sub-committee said they were thrilled with the number and quality of entries submitted.
Following a rigorous assessment process, after receipt of submissions of the students’ applications and teachers’ Letters of Recommendation, the winner of our 2018 Scholarship Award was unanimously agreed. The sub-committee was also very impressed with an application from another one of the students, and it was agreed to grant an additional ‘Encouragement Award’ prize of $250.
Our warmest congratulations to the Award winners:
Bowen Cavanagh – Year 11 student at Mt. View High School. Awarded Scholarship Prize of $1,000. Bowen is a promising photographer and was selected for his enthusiasm and passion for his particular subject, including visual arts, for the HSC.
Jett Mozzell – Year 10 student at Cessnock High School. Presented with ‘Encouragement Award’ prize of $250. Jett submitted a great application and displayed a passion for arts and drawing. He is a talented drawer and ceramic artist.
Paula and Sue formally presented the Scholarship Awards to Bowen and Jett, prior to our ADFAS Pokolbin lecture on Monday 30th October 2017. Family members and school teachers were warmly invited to attend the Award ceremony. A representative from the Cessnock Advertiser was present to photograph and report on the awarding of ADFAS Pokolbin Scholarship Prizes. The article was published on Thursday 2nd November 2017.
Our Young Arts Program funding is only possible with the ongoing generosity and support of members and friends of ADFAS Pokolbin. All proceeds of raffles and special fund raising events, as well as direct donations, contribute towards maintaining ADFAS Pokolbin Young Arts Program in our local community. Our Society held a Young Arts Fundraising Dinner at Hunters Quarter Restaurant on Sunday 10th September 2017. The Dinner was a themed evening ‘The Kennedy White House Dinner’, was very well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thanks to the generosity of those attending, an amount of almost $11,000 was raised towards our ongoing Young Arts Program. A wonderful result that will ensure the future success of our Young Arts Program in the community. Our aim is to promote arts-based activities that inspire young people with a lasting enthusiasm for the arts, an awareness of our arts heritage and its conservation, and to expand the horizons of young people through their involvement in creative arts. As always, our special thanks to Members and Friends of ADFAS Pokolbin for their ongoing support and generosity.
