U3A Benalla and District Inc.
  • Home
  • Benalla
    • Benalla
    • Benalla District
    • Who, What and Where? - Benalla Rural City
  • About
    • Our U3A
    • President's Page
    • Executive Committee
    • Convenors >
      • Convenors
      • Convenors A - Z 2022
    • Program Suggestions
    • Newsletter
    • Website
  • Groups
    • Groups A - Z
    • Recent Groups >
      • Armchair History
      • German - Beginners
      • Meditation
      • Russian Literature
      • Hot Topics/The News - Fact or Fiction?
    • Archived Groups >
      • A - M >
        • A Different View Of German History
        • Armchair Traveller
        • Booker Reading Group
        • Bushwalking - Mid-week Walks
        • Comparative Religion
        • Facebook for Mentors
        • Google Apps/TS Plus
        • History - An Introduction to Western Civilization
        • History - Moments in Australian History
        • Investment I (1996 -2015)
        • Legal Matters (Short Course)
        • Making the Most of the Internet
      • O - Z >
        • On Target - Learning to Shop Online
        • Opera
        • 'Over There'
        • Rail and Tourism
        • Tech Savvy Apple Devices - Intermediate
        • Tech Savvy Community Projects
        • Travel Group
        • Zoom Short Course
  • A-Col
    • A - COL
    • 'A Taste of Art'
    • Art Appreciation
    • Australian History
    • 'As Time Goes By' >
      • Home
      • Our Stories - by topic
    • 'Be Connected'
    • Birdwatching
    • Brain Games
    • Bushwalking - Easy Walks
    • Cards '500'
    • Chat n' Chew
    • Coin Collectors
    • Collectors
  • Col-G
    • COM - G
    • Community Singing
    • Creative Writing
    • Demystifying Psychology
    • Enjoying the Internet
    • Exercises for Fun
    • Exploring the Universe
    • Family Research - Advanced >
      • Home
      • Family Stories
    • Family Research - Beginners
    • Film Discussion Group
    • Garden Appreciation
    • Garden Team
    • German >
      • Home
      • Lessons
  • I - R
    • I - R
    • 'In the Lap of the Gods'
    • Investment
    • Jane Austen Book Club
    • Let's Talk Books
    • Lifeball
    • Meet and Mingle
    • Music Appreciation
    • Page Turners
    • Patchwork and Craft
    • Photography
    • Play Reading
    • Politics & Current Affairs
    • Recorder Group
  • S - Z
    • S -Z
    • Singing for Fun
    • Sky's the Limit
    • Stock and Land
    • Sustainability
    • Tech Advice
    • Tech Savvy Apple - 'Pages'
    • Tech Savvy Beginners - Android
    • Tech Talks
    • Ukes4Fun
    • Wine Appreciation
    • Wise Guys Book Group
  • Join
    • Join Us
    • Membership Application/Renewal Form
    • Program Guide 2023
    • Timetable - Month Overview
    • Full Timetable with Dates
    • New Courses 2023
    • Venues and Maps
  • News
    • News - General
    • February Newsletter
    • Calendar 2022
    • Monthly Calendar
    • Website & Facebook
  • FB
  • Gallery
    • Gallery 2022
    • Gallery 2021
    • Gallery 2020
    • Gallery 2019
    • Gallery 2018
    • Gallery 2017
    • Gallery 2016 >
      • + Christmas Lunch 2016
    • Gallery 2015 >
      • Christmas Lunch 2015
    • Gallery 2014
    • Lifeball Video
  • Links
    • Resources and References
    • U3A Network Victoria
    • Seniors Online Victoria
    • U3A Albury Wodonga
    • U3A Beechworth (Indigo U3A)
    • U3A Bright
    • U3A Wangaratta
    • U3A Goulburn Valley
  • Contact

'Personal Challenge'

29/10/2018

0 Comments

 
So many times I have wiped my sweaty hands, ignored my beating heart, surveyed the environment nervously – and stepped up to the plate, podium, rostrum, mat, whatever, they are all equally terrifying.  Stepping outside my comfort zone in the name of self-improvement, or just as part of the job, is always a challenge.

In preparing to write this piece I considered many examples, tried to decipher a pattern in the development of my self-confidence, and realised how diverse and varied these challenges had presented over time.  What had, in fact given me the confidence to take on challenges with confidence – how did I know I could do it.

Digging deep, I realised that it was the Archibald Prize for Portraiture in Australian Art, in 1957.  I know this is obscure, but please bear with me!

The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921 after the receipt of a bequest from J.F. Archibald, the editor of the Bulletin, who died in 1919.  It is now administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and awarded for ‘the best portrait, preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letter, Science or Politics, painted by an artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the … date for sending in the pictures’.

The Archibald Prize, from its outset, aroused controversy, while chronicling the changing face of Australian society.  Numerous legal battles and much debate have focused on the evolving definitions of portraiture.  The most startling challenge occurred in 1943 when the award was made to William Dobell for his portrait of Mr Joshua Smith.  Many critics considered it not to be a portrait but a caricature.  However, the award was withheld.

So, when William Dobell’s portrait of Dame Mary Gilmore was a finalist for the Archibald in 1957, the breach with convention stimulated debate and controversy.

In 1957 I was a fifteen-year old student at Camberwell High School.  Our assignment was to research the Archibald Prize, document its history, the controversy and present the outcome to the class.

So, who knows everything – my father?  After dinner I asked him for help with this project.

Always one to put the shoe on the other foot he explained that the Archibald Prize had been won on eight separate occasions by Sir William Dargie (a record that has been held since 1952) a renowned Australian artist known especially for his portrait painting.

Sir William Dargie was an official Australian war artist during World War II and painted multiple portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.  His portrait of Sir Robert Menzies was the front cover of April1960 Time Magazine.  He painted in a conservative style and is now largely forgotten despite his substantial artistic artistic achievements.

So where do I come in?  William Dargie lived in Canterbury (the next suburb) and so my father insisted that I get the information from the horse’s mouth so to speak.  I protested, to no avail.  I found the telephone number in the white pages and telephoned to request an interview.  Talk about sweaty hands, fear of stuttering and terrified!

My request was granted.  I spent an amazing afternoon with Mr Dargie sitting in his studio surrounded by portraits, pencil sketches and books.  I had carefully prepared my questions, sharpened my pencil and had notebook at the ready.  That day I realised, if you are sincere and willing to listen, take a chance even, the results can be amazing.  Most people will share their knowledge, or tell their story, to an interested person – even a fifteen-year old girl for a school project.

My classmates thought he must be a family-friend, how else could it happen.  Needless to say, my teacher was amazed at my daring.  She could not believe such a famous artist as Sir William Dargie would take the opportunity to share his knowledge and wisdom on a Saturday afternoon.  I won’t tell you the marks I received for that assignment - but I will say that my father was proud!

So, although I didn’t set the challenge myself – I carried it through – and it has given me the strength face whatever else the world will throw my way.
 
Noelle McCracken
October 2018
​
0 Comments
    Our Stories

    Noelle's Page 

    Picture

    Archives

    July 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    'How We Met'
    'On The Job'
    'Personal Challenge'
    'Someone Who Shaped Me'
    'What I Was Wearing'

    RSS Feed

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
Picture
News
​Newsletter
Facebook Page
​
Program Suggestions
​CO-VID Safety

U3A Benalla & District Flier 2023
​Membership Application/Renewal Form 
​
Program Guide 2023
Semester 1 Timetable with Dates 2023
Semester 1 Timetable Month Overview 2023
Developed and maintained by members, this website showcases U3A Benalla & District. 
​Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; ​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria