By GARRY HOWE
QUITE a few people in the Pakenham Hall last Friday night had been to quite a few Yakkerboo Art Show openings over the years.
They all agreed there have been few better than the 40th anniversary version, held over the weekend.
None have been there longer than Graham ‘Uncle’ Treloar, who was there at the meeting that conceived the show and has held various executive roles in the years since, including long stints as president and secretary.
He said it had to be among the best – both in terms of quality and quantity – a sentiment echoed by art show regulars Russell Broadbent, the McMillan MP, and wife Bronwyn.
Cardinia mayor Jodie Owen said the Yakkerboo Festival was an event steeped in history that brought the community together and the art show was a big part of that.
“Forty years ago the community cast a different portrait,” she said. “The community has grown and the art show has grown along with that.”
Gembrook artist Sue Jarvis, who has contributed to most of the 40 shows, was in no doubt about this one.
“This is the best Yakkerboo Art Show I have seen,” she said.
“It’s not just two dimensional – there is sculpture, wearable art … everything. We are engaging younger people and everyone can be a part of it.
“We can walk around the hall and recognise people we know in the portraits category. Most of the awrards went to locals and, coincidentally, most also went to women.”
Sue said it was time Cardinia Shire had an art gallery of its own.
“We need our own gallery now,” she said. “We are at that stage.”
Judge Mary Hollick, from Ballarat, was impressed by the community’s rich cultural vein.
“You have a beautiful, creative community here and you have to keep producing,” she said.
“When a population expands, things like the arts and culture can be swallowed up. It’s good to see that has not happened here. People still need this for their soul.”
