Annual General Meeting, Thursday 16 July 2026, 5.45 pm
Presented by Beth Rankin, President
Dear Members, Friends and Supporters,
It is my pleasure to present the President’s Report for Arts Rutherglen for the 2025–2026 year. This has been another active and productive year for the Association, made possible by the work of our committee, members, volunteers, artists, sponsors, donors and community supporters.
Arts Rutherglen exists because people continue to value creativity, cultural participation and the contribution the arts make to regional life. This year we have maintained our community presence through visual art, literature, music, film, community events and public art initiatives. The program has been diverse, but the underlying purpose has remained consistent: to support artists, bring people together and strengthen the cultural life of Rutherglen and the wider district.
Community and Creativity
At the heart of Arts Rutherglen is a commitment to community and creativity. The following activities demonstrate the breadth of the year’s program and the continuing value of the Association’s work.
Tastes of Art Prize
The Tastes of Art Prize remains central to the identity and visibility of Arts Rutherglen. Now in its ninth year, this major annual exhibition again demonstrated why it has become one of Rutherglen’s most important cultural events.
The 2026 Tastes of Art Prize was our most successful to date. The exhibition attracted 500 entries and welcomed approximately 350 people to the Gala Opening. Over the exhibition period, there was a steady stream of visitors and tourists through Memorial Hall, confirming the importance of the event not only to artists and art lovers, but also to the wider cultural and economic life of the town.
It was especially pleasing to see young and first-time artists exhibiting alongside long-standing contributors. The quality of the exhibition was reflected in a record 82 sales.
The committee was also pleased by the strong participation from Melbourne and Mildura artists. We thank our artists, judges, sponsors, volunteers, committee members, local businesses and visitors and the free transport generously provided by Corowa Furnishings & Floors.
Film Nights
Arts Rutherglen’s annual Film Nights festival continued in 2026, opening on 28 April with another carefully selected program of challenging, entertaining and thought-provoking international films, giving members and the wider community the opportunity to experience cinema from around the world in a relaxed and social setting.
Film Nights remains an important part of the Arts Rutherglen calendar, providing a winter arts experience that combines film, conversation and community connection.
International Women’s Day
The 2026 International Women’s Day Brunch was held on 1 March at Tuileries at De Bortoli Rutherglen. Our guest speaker, Jade Miles, is a regenerative farmer, author, storyteller and advocate for sustainable living. Jade’s presentation offered a thoughtful and grounded reflection on community, resilience, creativity and sustainability.
We thank De Bortoli for their support of this much-loved annual event and acknowledge the volunteers and committee members who contributed to its success.
Literary Event: A Joyful Life
On Saturday 29 November 2025, Arts Rutherglen hosted A Joyful Life with Rosemary Kariuki at Pfeiffer Wines. The event offered members and guests the opportunity to hear Rosemary’s powerful and uplifting story.
Music Event: Sparrows of Kabul
One of the year’s most memorable music events was Sparrows of Kabul with Fred Smith and his band, presented on Saturday 23 August 2025 at the Senior Citizens Hall. This extraordinary song cycle reflected on Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan, drawing on Fred Smith’s experience in Uruzgan Province and his later work during the evacuation from Kabul International Airport.
The performance combined music, storytelling and reflection, offering audiences a powerful insight into the experiences of soldiers, diplomats and Afghan people caught in the final stages of the conflict. The event demonstrated the capacity of the arts to help audiences engage with complex world events through a human and accessible lens.
In keeping with the spirit of the event, profits were donated to Asadi-e Zan, supporting Afghan women and families.
Public Art and Cultural Legacy
Public art remains one of Arts Rutherglen’s most visible and lasting contributions to the community. The Arts Rutherglen Sculpture Trail continues to be a distinctive feature of the region, with permanent artworks located across local towns, businesses and wineries.
During the year, the committee continued its commitment to the care and maintenance of the Sculpture Trail, including repairs to existing sculptures. This work is important because public art requires ongoing stewardship as well as initial installation.
The committee also noted with pride the induction of Tommy McRae, also known as Yakaduna, into the Victorian History Hall of Fame by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Tommy McRae, a Kwat Kwat Elder of the Bangerang nation from Lake Moodemere, created drawings that remain a vital historical record of Country, animals, landscape, people and the social relationships of his time. This recognition was a proud moment for the border district and added further significance to Arts Rutherglen’s long-standing commitment to honouring his legacy.
During the year, the committee made the strategic decision to allocate funds towards the purchase and installation of a significant artwork in a public space, potentially a sculpture, to complement Indigo Shire’s public art program. While the final artwork and location are yet to be determined, the decision reflects Arts Rutherglen’s continuing investment in public art and in the cultural life of the region.
Governance and Operations
Behind the scenes, the committee has continued to ensure that Arts Rutherglen remains a sustainable, responsive and well-governed organisation.
A Special General Meeting was held in June 2026 to consider a special resolution to change the Association’s financial year end date from 31 December to 30 June. The resolution was passed. This change better aligns the Association’s financial reporting with the standard financial year and provides a more practical structure for future annual reports, budgeting and AGM preparation.
The committee also prepared and submitted a grant application to the Tiny Towns grant body to support future Arts Rutherglen initiatives. Although the application was unsuccessful, the process strengthened planning and positioned the Association well for future funding opportunities.
Membership
Membership remains central to the strength and sustainability of Arts Rutherglen. Membership numbers for 2025–2026 are 65. Non renewals from past year is 16.
During the year, Lin Sargent took over the Membership Secretary role from Leonie Featonby. We thank Leonie for her years of careful service in maintaining records and supporting member engagement, and thank Lin for stepping into this important role.
Financial Health
The Treasurer will provide a detailed financial report. Arts Rutherglen has continued to manage its finances prudently, balancing the delivery of major events, ongoing operational costs, public art responsibilities and future planning. The decision to align the financial year with 30 June will support clearer reporting and assist future committees with financial planning.
Committee and Acknowledgements
I extend my sincere thanks to all committee members for their dedication, practical work and shared commitment to Arts Rutherglen. In particular, I acknowledge:
- Christine Scott, Secretary, for her work in ensuring the smooth operation of meetings, correspondence and Association records.
- Irena Webster, Treasurer, for her careful management of the Association’s financial responsibilities.
- Scott Landels, Vice President and Media Liaison, for his leadership and support.
- Deidre Kelly, Assistant Treasurer, for her continued contribution to the financial operations of the Association.
- Lin Sargent, Membership Secretary, for taking on this important role.
- All general committee members, event organisers and volunteers whose work makes the Association’s program possible.
Arts Rutherglen’s achievements are the result of collective effort. Volunteers, sponsors, donors, venues, artists, local businesses, community partners and members all contribute to the Association’s capacity to deliver a strong and varied program.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the next reporting year, planning is already underway for further events and initiatives. Arts Rutherglen is supporting A Musical Soiree at Wahgunyah Hall on 25 July 2026, featuring Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Andrew Farrell and Marc Askew.
Significant planning has also commenced for Rosemary’s African Women’s Dinner Dance, to be held on 1 August 2026 at St Stephen’s Anglican Church Hall. This event will welcome back Rosemary Kariuki for an evening of African song, drumming, storytelling, dance, food and community celebration.
Looking ahead, the Association will continue to strengthen its major annual events, support public art, seek appropriate funding opportunities and build partnerships that contribute to the cultural life of Rutherglen and the wider district.
Closing
This is my final report as President of Arts Rutherglen. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and to work with committee members, volunteers, artists, sponsors and community supporters who care deeply about the arts and about Rutherglen.
I thank the committee and members for their support over the past two years. I leave the role with confidence in the future of the Association and wish the incoming President and committee every success.
Beth Rankin
President, Arts Rutherglen
16 July 2026