The names of five people have been added to the Manning Winter Festival Visual and Performing Arts Awards honour boards, with winners announced at the festival opening on Friday, June 1.
Alison Haigh received the Visual Arts Award, while Don Secomb and Tanya Brown were joint winners of the Performing Arts Award, and Tim Stack and Ashley Cleaver were joint winners of the Special Arts Award.
“The standard was so high,” said festival president Mave Richardson. “For some we made joint presentations as they were just too outstanding.”
A number of highly commendeds were also presented to nominees.
“We are absolutely delighted to recognise some of our beautifully talented people in Manning who represent the hundreds or thousands who are doing their own creative work.
“The task of judging was very difficult,” she said.
“We’re very proud of the people in the Manning. Some have been doing amazing things for a long, long time.”
Mave said the special arts award recipients do not necessarily have to be an artist but can also be presented people who have made a contribution to cultural development.
And the winners are:
Visual Arts Award
Alison Haigh received the Visual Arts Award, while Don Secomb and Tanya Brown were joint winners of the Performing Arts Award, and Tim Stack and Ashley Cleaver were joint winners of the Special Arts Award.
“The standard was so high,” said festival president Mave Richardson. “For some we made joint presentations as they were just too outstanding.”
A number of highly commendeds were also presented to nominees.
“We are absolutely delighted to recognise some of our beautifully talented people in Manning who represent the hundreds or thousands who are doing their own creative work.
“The task of judging was very difficult,” she said.
“We’re very proud of the people in the Manning. Some have been doing amazing things for a long, long time.”
Mave said the special arts award recipients do not necessarily have to be an artist but can also be presented people who have made a contribution to cultural development.
And the winners are:
Visual Arts Award
2018 Visual Arts winner Alison Haigh. Photo: Julie Slavin. Alison Haigh Alison (known as Ali) has been actively involved in the local art sector for more than 20 years. A teacher at TAFE, in the Vocational Education Training [VET] sector and in local schools, she has also been an active and valuable contributing volunteer member of the Friends of the Manning Regional Art Gallery Committee for more than 15 years, serving one term as president. She has been a highly valued casual employee at the Manning Regional Art Gallery for the past 10 years. In these roles, her contributions have been outstanding, many times going above and beyond her duties to ensure that visitors and exhibitors alike, have a positive cultural experience at the Gallery. Her work in the wider community includes mentoring and developing programs for disability clients, Aged Care programs and other outreach programs for marginalised people, as well as working with local Aboriginal designers. A respected practicing artist, Ali`s many contributions to the local art scene are testament to her talent, selfless dedication, and commitment to her community.
Performing Art Award (joint winners)
Joint winners: 2018 Special Arts Award recipients Tim Stack and Ashley Cleaver. Photo: Kylie Cleaver. Ashley Cleaver A former teacher, turned businessman, Ashley has been photographing major local arts events since the early 1990s. A member of the Rotary Club of Taree for the past 26 years, his range gradually extended to include Rotary activities and a host of other creative events, all to promote the arts in the Manning. In his unassuming way, Ashley has made consistently outstanding contributions to local cultural development for all of that time. He sends his photos to the Manning River Times, ensuring ongoing publicity and promotion. He also makes them available to all who seek prints and/or digital images. Much of his work is very time consuming. A highly skilled photographer, Ashley takes care and time to create professional images. Remarkably, he never seeks payment for his work. If payment is insisted, upon he donates it to Rotary worthy causes. Ashley`s generosity, skills, patience, professionalism and reliability, are practically legendary in the local arts community. Tim Stack Tim moved to Taree in 1976. By 1977 he was president of the Taree and District Eisteddfod. His passion for music and the performing arts has kept him in this role for the past 41 years. Tim grew up in a musical family and went on to become a lawyer, a drummer and a Conservatorium trained singer. His enthusiastic and diplomatic approach smoothed the way when eisteddfod challenges arose, particularly when there were competing sectors over the years. With his leadership and guidance, visiting adjudicators refrained from negativity and consistently encouraged young performers. About 10 years ago, Tim introduced the “Smile Scholarships” by obtaining “one off” donations of $250 from individuals, clubs and businesses for investment. The interest on the amount raised annually provides 10 performers with $750 towards their musical advancement. The success of the annual eisteddfod was a driving force behind the building of the Manning Entertainment Centre, opened in 1988. With the support of a dedicated, hard-working and forward thinking management team, Tim has led the way for the Taree Eisteddfod to now be acknowledged as the largest Eisteddfod in rural/regional Australia. Apart from individual personal and musical development, many performers have gone on to achieve great success in the performing arts.