June - Eric Nash, Director, Benalla Art Gallery

President Margaret Jenkins gave the meeting an update on recent activities at U3A Benalla. This included:-

• Disturbing news that three break-ins in the past two months had occurred at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. A number of items including computers have been stolen from the various offices within the building. Benalla Council, who own the building, are investigating urgent security upgrades.
• Council has allocated $7,000 in their 25/26 budget to advance a Masterplan for extensions to the Seniors Citizens and Community Centre.
• Council has allocated a $500 grant for additional shelving in the U3A office.
• Ruth Jelliff was thanked for offering to assist Heather Wallace with the preparation of the U3A newsletter
• President Margaret and Doug Smith are meeting in late June with the Council CEO to discuss improved accommodation options at the Seniors and Community Centre.

Meet and Mingle guest speaker for our June meeting was Eric Nash, Director of the Benalla Art Gallery.

Eric gave a very comprehensive and passionate presentation that can best be summed up as follows:-

• His mantra was to make the Gallery as open and assessable as possible.
• He spoke of the 4 pillars of the Gallery: Exhibition, Collection, Education and Engagement (with the Arts)
• The Gallery which is now 50 years old and is undergoing a significant upgrade.
• The upgrade will include a new 100 seat café/restaurant, improved climate control and additional exhibition and storage space.
• Tenders will be awarded shortly with works likely to commence in September 2025
• A Benalla Art Gallery Foundation has been established to guide future development of the Gallery.
• President Margaret thanked Eric and presented him with a U3A Benalla pen.

The guest speaker at our next meeting on 18th July will be Sabine Smyth speaking on the history of the Benalla Migrant Camp.


Doug Smith
Publicity Officer