I do hope that all our members enjoyed a happy and fun-filled Easter. Perfect weather, with Kiama town packed with visitors, all lapping up the holiday atmosphere, which included two days of Art-in-the-Park.
The Society had a particularly strong showing this time round. As well as regulars Philip Cooper (convenor) - Shirley Wall - Kerry Suttonberg - Eta Sega-Jeanette Lewis-Kathryn Eden, also welcomed were Renée Lever (handmade jewellery), new members Bill Micallef (wood-carver), and Jeanette Ramerez (paintings). Society stalwart Barbara Cooper had a busy two days at the till.

The Sebel Harbourside Hotel art gallery proceeds slowly. Hanging tracks are being installed and I’ll keep you informed as the project unravels.

One of the goodnews items this month is Edward del Villar’s major success in winning the figurative section at the Royal Easter Show with a portrait of artist-wife Kristal at Springwood. How lucky we are to have Kristal and Edward as active Society members. We wish you both many more successes.

Our thoughts are with those members who are not well lately. Terri Hanlon and Karen Butler are two Committee members who are missed around the table this month, and we wish you each a speedy and full recovery. To our other members who are unwell or recovering from illness, we send our good wishes for your future good health.

Mavis Turner’s Moreton Bay Fig and the very large charcoal still life by Bob Millis will be raffled off at the conclusion of Renée Lever’s May 5 demonstration of Matisse products and other new items on the market. That occasion will be your last chance to buy some tickets in this half-year raffle.

I’ve just arrived home after the Committee’s April 21 meeting which was a week late due to Easter’s invasion, and the reason this newsletter is in your letterbox somewhat later than usual.

This meeting has been Ruth Hind’s last as Secretary after nearly five years in that capacity. Ruth has resigned to organise overseas travel but she’ll be around for the art exhibitions of the combined Primary Schools and the Kiama High School.

Our thanks go to Colleen Behl for filling the secretarial vacancy, and we look forward to Colleen’s participation in the Society’s management process.

One of the matters raised at today’s meeting concerns  Rule 44(2) of our Constitution, which has focussed the Committee’s attention  on the need for full disclosure of all income and expenditure relating to transactions at Society-run exhibitions, workshops, training courses, Art-in-the-Park; or in fact anywhere the Society is in  a trading situation.        

Under the Associations Incorporation Act, we have an obligation to keep full business records of all income and expenditure, and today the Committee nailed-down policies and procedures in support of Rule 44(2), and those policies and procedures appear elsewhere in this Newsletter. At the earliest opportunity they will be on display at the Coach House, together with pre-existing policies; also our Constitution and a list of Society members.