Art Beat of the Country
Art Beat of the Country
This story begins in the 1970s, when Australia left the European Common Market and dairying suffered a large fall in commodity prices. Getting food on the table for the family became a real concern. Young people could not see a future for themselves on the land and left for jobs in the city. Land values fell. Local communities felt their way of life was being threatened.Mary Salce AO
The stories here describe how one rural region, Gippsland, in the south-east corner of Australia, responded to these hard times. The answer was found in art.
Art provided hope and social, cultural and economic pathways. Funding and leadership led to two projects which aimed to raise the self-esteem and confidence of women by offering opportunity to develop vital life skills and at the same time, produce something that would have a lasting benefit to the community.
The Uniting Our Rural Communities (UORC) Cultural and Community Leadership Project in 1997 and several years later, the Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) project, provided opportunities for women to develop skills in leadership, business and the arts. Not only did these projects accomplish great outcomes within the local community at the time, the women involved went on to lead remarkable and fulfilling lives, drawing on many skills gained through the projects.
The women, many now in their 70s and 80s, reflect on what happens when opportunity is provided to develop self-respect, focus on goals, and collaborate for amazing outcomes.
Stories from Art Beat of the Country
This selection of stories documents the firsthand reflections of women involved in two art and community projects in an Australian rural region from 1997-2007. Threads in women’s stories weave a rich tapestry of social history that preserves the voices, thoughts and feelings of making do and finding solutions during difficult times. Women, young and old, came together to participate and collaborate in the projects which served as group/community therapy as well as providing individuals with skills and leadership training. Many women said, if not for the projects, they would have remained isolated in their community; moreover, through participating, they were inspired to engage in self-enriching pursuits and careers.
Besides addressing issues of financial hardship and low self-esteem, the art projects provided relief from undercurrents of mental health issues, domestic violence, loneliness and isolation.
Read their stories below and be sure to check in regularly as new stories will be added, well into 2020.
Having the “vision, influence and strong leadership skills to achieve success”
By Maree Wallace I first met Mary Salce when I became involved in the Women Who Mean Business (WWMB) project in 2004. We bonded immediately and have been friends since. Mary is warm and friendly..
The many wonderful sides to Mary
By Di Deppeler Where and when did you meet? 1996 at the East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale. What struck you about Mary? I just liked her from first meeting. Very direct, straight forward, honest and real...
There is something special about Mary
By Catherine Noy I first met Mary Salce in 1993 when preparing for the Inaugural International Agricultural Women’s Conference, which was showcased in Melbourne, Victoria, in July 1994. At this time, I had recently finished..
Positive outcomes flow when rural women unite in art to battle hard times
By Mary Salce AO Some things in life you want to forget and some you want to share in order to make a better place for women and families, and at the same time connect..
On all calculations, Mary’s story about a community art project will endure
Drum roll for Mary Randall, completing a PhD based on Gippsland. By Mary Randall I like calculating. I find it relaxes me when I’m lying in bed in the early hours of the morning. So,..
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