ABOUT THE HINTERLAND ART GROUP

Some history to start with ...

Originally, the Hinterland Art Group (HAG) was the Cooroy Butter Factory Association (CBFA). The CBFA met regularly in the former Butter Factory premises that had been transformed into a series of galleries and space for local artists and Creative Noosa which was run by the then, Noosa Shire Council. Unfortunately in 2007 this site was zoned for redevelopment and the CBFA was unable to extend it’s lease.  It became necessary for the art group to find a new home and establish itself as an independent association.  As a number of the original CBFA members including most of the Management Committee Members had resigned and Lex Curtis, our newly elected and first President, was instrumental in trying to keep the new Management Committee and group together for the remaining members. Initially the group had no option but to keep the name of the CBFA in order to retain it’s assets, especially those from the pottery shed at the Cooroy site and also to satisfy banking requirements until a name change had been formalized.

The Publicity Officer, at the time, Peter Heuscher, suggested the name, Hinterland Art Group, and all members accepted this unanimously. Without a formal home base, they met each month in the then President, Lex Curtis's backyard rotunda.  Whilst this was a very pleasant place to hold a meeting it was not suitable in the long term - there was often a mad rush to Lex and Jill’s kitchen table when it rained!

Lex was also a long-term member of Pomona Inc. and he put forward the idea that the Hinterland Art Group liaise with Pomona Inc. with the possibility of making their home at the Old Railway Station Gallery in Pomona. After a meeting with Robyn Jones, the then President of Pomona Inc. the decision was taken by them to welcome HAG to the site.

Before that happened though, there was a lot of groundwork to be done. Lex didn’t let his age stand in the way.  He and Peter Farkas, with help from Bev Watkin, set about removing all the items that belonged to the CBFA from the Cooroy Gallery for installation at Pomona. This included plinths, hangers, lighting, the computer/printer, filing cabinets and other office and art equipment. A lot of unwanted items had to be disposed of and this involved a number of trips by Lex and Peter to the local tip. Filing cabinets and other art paraphernalia ended up in Lex’s big shed. Then, Wendy Lewis and Mal Butterworth, the resident potter, audited the pottery equipment in the pottery shed at the Butter Factory and the group was able to apply for financial restitution from the Noosa Council (as it was then).  Almost $4,000 was duly received and this money was the basis for our HAG bank account. Then, after much paperwork was completed by Peter Farkas in liaison with our newest members Jeff and Lorraine Fraser, and with the Queensland Govt. in August 2008, the Cooroy Butter Factory Association finally and formally became the Hinterland Art Group.

The Old Railway Gallery site at Pomona proved a beautiful and perfect environment for the group and our members are very thankful to Pomona Inc. for providing this opportunity. The gallery is located in the township of Pomona in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland only 9 kms from their old home in Cooroy. The gallery site consists of the Ticket Office, Waiting Room, Station Master’s Office, the Signal Room, Exhibiting Carriage and separate facilities, The Banana Shed and Blacksmith’s Shop (the Forge). When HAG moved to the site, the Banana Shed and Forge were mainly used for storage, so HAG and Pomona Inc. set up several working groups to empty these valuable spaces. Lex had always been passionate about HAG getting some workshops up and running and since these areas have been cleared HAG not only holds it’s monthly Management and General Meetings in the Banana Shed (on the last Saturday of each month), it has also been able to get painting, ceramic and photographic workshops up and running. Our members are a happy and constructive bunch and they often bring along home made cakes to be enjoyed with a social cuppa when the meetings have concluded.

Following the move to their new home in Pomona, several members have volunteered their services at the site. As well as maintaining a presence at the Gallery, they have been involved in the painting of the Carriage Gallery and also a combined project with Pomona Inc. installing two whirligigs that have considerably helped with ventilation in the Carriage. A CD player and discs have also been added to the gallery to enhance the ambience of the exhibitions.

HAG has also contributed towards the colourful Bali flags, which adorn the front of the fence of the gallery. The office on the site now has a computer and large inkjet printer enabling members to assist Pomona Inc. with administration and marketing as well as producing brochures for their own exhibitions and workshops. Both Pomona Inc and HAG continually reap benefits from the current arrangement.

The Hinterland Art Group has grown substantially since it's inception with a membership now heading towards thirty. Recently we've been joined by some amazingly talented members who have dedicated themselves to such important issues as Administration, Publicity, Workshops and I.T.

Now to the present...

The last couple of years have been an exciting time, planning exhibitions for the groups as a whole. The workshops and bus trips to various hinterland towns and even down to art exhibitions in Brisbane. We also have regular garage sales/sausage sizzles at the Gallery site to raise extra funds to maintain the groups’ activities and to purchase items to enhance the group’s viability.  We are developing relationships with local businesses, and are grateful for the support they have given us in our recent “King of the Mountain” Exhibitions held since July 2009, when they sponsored the “People’s  Choice" award.  In 2011 we have booked the Carriage Gallery again on this weekend for another HAG Art Exhibition.

In February, 2010 we held the "Hinterland Dreams" art exhibition for the opening of the revamped Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. The exhibition was opened by state MP Fiona Simpson with about 100 people in attendance. The exhibition was an enormous success with the feature painting (a collaboration by 15 members of the group) being sold. Because of the success we were able to support local charities as part of our fund raising.

We like to think that our meetings are constructive AND fun as we all enjoy each other's company. Our members are all active, energetic and enthusiastic. Still we're always on the lookout for new members with new ideas to help our group continue with its growth and development. Our web site is continually being updated so that anyone can check on HAG's activities.

If you would like to join HAG or just leave us a message please use the links provided on the top centre menu.