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Highlights g 2007–08
2007–08 has seen another busy year for the
Foundation with the Library’s work showcased to
great effect and engagement with all sectors.
In July the Foundation opened the longawaited
Members’ Lounge. Exclusively
for Foundation members, and central to
all Library activities, the lounge provides
a quiet retreat.
In September, 150 Melbourne Rotary Club
members enjoyed a tour of the Library
and a talk by Shane Carmody, continuing
the Foundation’s engagement with the
local community.
Donors to the Foundation Bookplate
Program participated in a number of events
during the year, including a behind-thescenes
visit to the Library’s imaging
studios and a private tour of The
Medieval Imagination.
Redmond Barry Society members were
joined in October by members of Les Amis
du Mercredi, the French Institute for
Australian Relations and the Australian–
French Association for Science and
Technology, to hear a talk by former State
Library Creative Fellow Danielle Clode.
In November Foundation members enjoyed a
trip to the Library’s offsite store at Ballarat.
Foundation members had much to
celebrate at the Annual Members’ Dinner
in November, held at the Athenaeum Club.
Guest speaker Emeritus Professor
Margaret Manion AO gave a talk on the
topic of ‘Books, Pictures and Conversations’,
and provided guests with a taste of what
was to come with the March opening
of The Medieval Imagination.
At the end-of-year reception, guests
enjoyed refreshments in Queen‘s Hall. It
was an opportunity for the Hon. John Cain,
Anne-Marie Schwirtlich and Foundation
Chairman Peter Lothian to express their
gratitude to a range of supporters. The
Foundation, as publisher of The La Trobe
Journal, also celebrated the journal’s 80th
issue. A presentation of thanks was made
to its editor Professor John Barnes and
assistant to the editor Sandra Burt, both
of whom have now retired from their
roles after ten years of service.
In April Foundation members were invited
to a preview of The Medieval Imagination.
Many Foundation members enjoyed
the popular program of events for this
exhibition including the Medieval Faire day.
It was a great pleasure for the Foundation
to be a presenter of the Library’s fi rst major
international exhibition, giving Foundation
members and sponsors an enormous
sense of pride in being part of a recordbreaking
exhibition for the Library.
In June the Foundation hosted an event
in Experimedia to thank its members,
supporters and sponsors for their continued
support. Without them the Foundation
would not have been able to afford to
undertake the projects and services it
has managed and which continue to build
the reputation of this great library.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for 2007–08 of $750,000 is
the largest contribution the Foundation has ever
made to the Library. The funds have been
applied as follows:
The Medieval Imaginationn
exhibition
Collection acquisitions
Creative Fellowships
Digitising projects
One-off strategic projects
State Library of Victoria News
The Foundation also fi nances the printing and
publication of The La Trobe Journal.
The Foundation’s support over the last
few years for digitising projects has catalysed
the Library’s work in this area. In 2007–08 the
Foundation’s support for digitisation included
readying the Victorian Government Gazette
for online access and the digitisation of The
La Trobe Journal.
The balance of Foundation funds will be
transferred to the 2008–09 Development Fund so
that support of the State Library of Victoria’s
vital work within the cultural landscape
will continue.
This year the Foundation was able to assist
the Library with the acquisition of some key
collection items for the benefi t of all Victorians,
including:
Portrait of Archbishop Daniel Mannix,
painted by Max Martin in 1953
Streetscape of Clifton Hill l by Indigenous
artist Benjamen McKeown
Juan Davila sketchbooks
Peter Carey literary papers
Morris Lurie literary papers
Katherine N Simitian: The History
of Littlewood Press.
External Engagement
g
The Foundation has continued to pursue its
aim to engage and build relationships with the
corporate and philanthropic sectors, with some
major support achieved in 2007–08. This support
assists the Library by supporting its core activities
while exploring innovative and traditional ways
to do so.
Personnel
Morton Browne’s term as Executive Director of
the Foundation was completed in June. There
have been considerable achievements in Morton
Browne’s time with the Foundation; his efforts
and energies have been integral to the success
of The Medieval Imagination. He leaves the
Foundation in a very sound state and can rightly
take credit for much of the considerable success
that has fl owed over the last three years.
He will be succeeded by Michael van Leeuwen.
The Foundation is grateful for the time
and commitment of all members of the
Executive Committee.