The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 49 No 2 July 2010

Community
Co-op Co-ordinators, back. rOlN, left to right: Minna Graham, Desiree Radi Mansbridge, Dawn Whitehand. Melanie Earl.
Kim Haughie; front row, left to right: Sue Mitchell, Kath Wratten, Jo Arrow; photo: Robert Haughie
The launch was a great success, being enthusiastically attended by well over 100 potential members
who were treated to food and wine generously donated by local businesses. Radi Mansbridge's welcome
speech was followed by an entertaining and motivating opening speech by internationally renowned
and local ceramicist Petrus Spronk. Memberships were keenly taken up and raffle tickets for prizes
donated by local businesses were eagerly purchased. The highlight of the evening's festivities was a fund
raising ceramic art audion, featuring donated ceramic works from all seven directors, and several well
known ceramicists including Neville French, Bridget Bodenham and Phil Elson . The audion was met with
such gusto that diredors are now considering the possibility of a regular fund-raising audion.
The next step is to find a permanent space and apply for funding. Adivities are being organised: Steve
Harrison is running a kiln-building workshop later in the year; a members' exhibition is being planned;
and Petrus Spronk and I will give floor talks about recent overseas residencies.
It is envisaged the Daylesford Region Ceramics Co-operative will become a significant voice within the
ceramics industry in the years to come, and the diredors hope this enterprise will be an inspiration to
other ceramic groups throughout Australia.
Readers interested in joining or supporting the Daylesford Region Ceramics Co-operative can contact
Dawn Whitehand.
E: ceramic_art@iprimus.com,au
THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY 2010 87