AGRA Council 

Since its formation in 1974 AGRA has had 11 Presidents and many councillors who have all shared their expertise and commitment.

All councillors act in an honorary capacity to support the ideals of AGRA and represent the needs of the members. They are artists themselves who give freely of their time and appreciate any assistance or feedback from the members. 

A.G.R.A gallery manager Vicky McInnes looks after the gallery management as well as the AGRA office.

Rob La Nauze

President,

Artscapade

Thel Cardwell A.G.R.A and Life Member

Thel has been a very able and constant
member of the AGRA Council. Thel has had several terms as President and is always a willing helper. She likes working in both mediums and paints whatever she is enthused about at the time but particularly likes still life and landscapes. She has won many awards, runs regular workshops, judges art shows and teaches weekly classes at home. Thel is a Life Member of AGRA.

Vice President,

Artscapade, Days of 100 Paintings

Robert Knight A.G.R.A.F

Robert is a full time Professional Artist and has been painting for over 20 years and was once a student of the late Terry Collins. He loves to paint and draws rainforest , landscapes , cityscapes, his style has been described as Realist with a ‘contemporary design’ element. He has won many awards including the AGRA Art Excellence Medallion winner 2004 & the Bayside Art Show 09 . His work has been exhibited in both London & Ireland. A member of the Valley Ten Artists Ringwood Art Society and a fellow of AGRA.

Vice President- Aust Art Excellence Awards Exhibitions

Kath McCann

Kath is pleased to be able to give back to AGRA as a Councillor, as it provides so much stimulus for artists, in the
variety of images and techniques in the exhibitions, the casual conversations, the venue and the locality.
I love plein air painting and the
sensation of the breeze, wind, heat of the sun, raindrops pattering, shadows, streaks of sunlight or scudding clouds is my fuel to put down an image in pencil or watercolour.

Treasurer

Carol Harrison A.G.R.A.and Life Member

Carol again takes on the above tasks for 2011. She was awarded life membership for her consistent involvement with AGRA. Hard working and dedicated to her role . Councillor, Secretary/Treasurer for many years before holding her current role is indicative of her commitment to AGRA.
Carol is a Gil Brooks Winner (awarded for service to AGRA) and a member for over 30 years

EHUes and Australian Artists on Line (AAL) 

Jan Lowe :

Retired as Editor of Hues after 4 years in Dec 2010.
Now to concentrate on furthering her artistic activities & other commitments. She is very much committed to AGRA and will continue with eHues and AAL and working with
members and our councillors to support the Guild’s role in fostering realist artists.
President of the Wildlife Art Society of
Australasia Inc, member of the Watercolour Society of Australia, VAS and the Realist Art Society of Toronto Canada.

Hues Editor

Brenda Innes BA Dip Ed

Her working life includes 5 yrs in market research, 15 very rewarding years as a Year 7—12 School Teacher. She has been a passionate advocate for Realist Art and Artists. She has gained much from meeting, mentoring and making professional connections for AGRA members. Brenda managed the gallery for 11 years and was a true ambassador for AGRA. She held her fifth exhibition with the Harlequin artists at the AGRA Galleries in 2008, Retired from AGRA staff in 2010

Artescapade

Erif Vincent

Erif discovered oil painting at school. “Plein air” landscape paintings were included in her year 12 folio. Former Teacher of Art in Secondary Schools. The first ideal teacher to
instruct and inspire in painting the great outdoors was Thel Cardwell. One unforgettable painting trip with Thel was a visit to Corfu in Greece with Warren Curry. A great interest in Art History and Art Appreciation. Erif
exhibits at shows in the Northern suburbs and is a member of Heidelberg Artist Society.

Seasonal Exhibitions:

Karen Buckingam

Karen has always been very interested in art, although it was reignited during her
daughter's study of graphic art. Karen loves watercolour with its ability to sometimes, on a bad day, openly defy the artist, which makes her more determined to eventually tame this wonderful transparent beast. Also paints in pastel, acrylic and oils. A member of the Institute of Music Teachers, the Vic. Music Teachers' Assoc., past
President of Ringwood Art Society, and Chairperson of The Graeme Hildebrand Foundation

Heather Peberdy

Studied Graphic Design at Caulfield Institute of Technology, Heather worked as a designer /illustrator in the advertising industry. She left this career in 1977 to rear her young family and pursue her interest in the visual arts. She has been painting in both oils and pastel since although pastel is her preferred medium. Heather studied oils with the late Alan Martin, pastel with Ming Bellamy Mackay & Brian Armstrong. Paintings reflects her background in tonal painting combined with a passionate feeling for colour. She teaches at both the Templestowe & Mentone Art Groups. Heather is an Hon. Life Member of the PSV.

Geoff Buckingham

My interest in art and music was initiated by my uncle, and his direct influence continued throughout my education. The next 40 years did not allow the luxury of artistic endeavours due to tertiary studies and a career in
chemistry and a young family. In more recent years an art history tour of Italy, France and Turkey rekindled my interest in art, joined a local art society and AGRA a few years later. I have been working with ink and enjoying the
process of trial and error, and hope to further
develop skills in other media.

Non Councillor - with voluntary duties

Web Galleries/Web site /Recognition Points collation

Lyn Mellady A.G.R.A.F. & life member

Lyn is a Fellow and past President of AGRA, a member of the Pastel Society of Vic. and Fusion Six. While her personal painting is her highest priority, she enjoys teaching has given many professional art demonstrations and judges art shows. Lyn loves painting with pastel and her work is in 5 Government collections, featured in 5 art books and International Pastel Artist and Worlds Best Charcoal& Pastel Artists. She has limited edition drawings, prints and many awards. Lyn is also represented in NSW and Victorian Galleries. Lyn looks after the AGRA web site and collates awards and certificates . Lyn has been awarded the Gill Brooks Award for service to AGRA, Life membership of AGRA and was a councillor of AGRA for 12 years.

Alan Rawady

Studied at: RMIT, Swinburne, M.S.P.G.A. and Melbourne School of Painting.
Alan is an award winning artist and watercolour tutor who was professionally employed in Graphic & exhibition design, illustration and advertising art from 1956. He has worked in Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Germany. In 1989 he won an international graphic design competition. Since retiring in 1992 he has concentrated on teaching, demonstrations and workshops. He is also taking tours with painters.
Member of AGRA, VAS, MAS, Hon. Member of BAS and Mentone—Mordialloc Art group and Past president of Watercolouur Society of Victoria and A.G.R.A.