SCHOLASTIC AUSTRALIA, TRUSTEE OF THE DROMKEEN NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PICTURE BOOK ART, GIFTS ENTIRE COLLECTION TO THE STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA
Ken Jolly, Chairman of the Board of Scholastic Australia, has used this year’s annual Dromkeen Dinner to announce that Scholastic Australia is to present the entire Dromkeen Scholastic Collection to the people of Australia through the State Library of Victoria. The Collection consists of some 7500 original artworks and illustrations from the prepublication material of many of Australia’s best-loved children’s books. The Collection also includes an historical book collection and seven bronze sculptures of picture book characters.
The Collection was founded by Courtney and Joyce Oldmeadow at the historic ‘Dromkeen’ homestead in Riddells Creek in 1973. In 1982, Scholastic Australia became the Trustee for the Collection and has overseen the ongoing acquisition, preservation and exhibition of original artworks. The company also ensured the continuation of the education programs, as well as general upkeep of the property.
Welcoming the donation of the Dromkeen Scholastic Collection, the President of the Library Board of Victoria, the Hon John Cain, said, 'We are delighted to accept this important national Collection. It is wonderful that it is being given to the Library during the National Year of Reading. The Library will build and exhibit the collection, support research and continue programs to engage young people in the Library and on-line. In this way we will maintain the vision of Courtney and Joyce Oldmeadow, and Scholastic as Trustee, and work to support literacy amongst young people.'
Dromkeen will maintain its Exhibition and Education program at the Dromkeen Homestead in 2012 with the transfer of all parts of the Collection completed by the end of the year.
The Courtney & Joyce Oldmeadow Memorial Lecture
The Courtney & Joyce Oldmeadow Memorial Lecture by Ursula Dubosarsky at the 31st Annual Dromkeen Society Dinner. Click
here.
Dromkeen Newsletter
Click here for the latest Newsletter.
|