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NLA News - home August 2002 Volume XII Number 11

CALENDAR OF
EVENTS

August-September 2002

Meet the Curator
‘Remaking Masterpieces:
The Art of Mortimer Menpes

Mortimer Menpes was more than an artist. Much more! Join curator Tim Fisher to hear about the interests of the wealthy accentric whose 'reproductions' line the corridors of the Library’s second floor.
Date: Sunday 11 August
Time: 2.30 pm
Venue: Friends Loung
Cost: $10 Friends; $12 Public (includes afternoon tea)
Bookings essential (02) 6262 1698

Kenneth Myer Lecture 2002:
Fred Chaney
A thought-provoking lecture by former federal minister and visionary thinker Fred Chaney.
Date: Thursday 26 September
Time: 6 pm
Venue: National Library Theatre
followed by a reception in the foyer
Admission free but bookings essential by 20 September
(02) 6262 1551

For bookings, details of membership and subscriptions, contact:
Friends of the NLA
National Library of Australia
CANBERRA  ACT  2600
Tel: (02) 6262 1698
Fax: (02) 6273 4493
Email: friends@nla.gov.au
Web site: http://www.nla.gov.au/friends

Farwell to Lee
Lee Kirwan, our Executive Officer for the past two years, has returned to an appointment within the Library that draws on her formidable editing and publishing skills. Lee has contributed significantly to the success of the Friends during her tenure and will be missed. I am sure that all members of the Friends will join me in expressing to her our sincere thanks, and in wishing her every success in the future.
—Ian Dudgeon, Chair, Friends Committee

In my experience, an early talk by the curator of the latest National Library exhibition has always been a favourite event for members of the Friends living in Canberra.

The next in the series will feature curator Tim Fisher talking about the flamboyant artist Mortimer Menpes, who was also a most successful supplier of hothouse grapes, tomatoes and carnations to the Covent Garden markets. Born in South Australia, Menpes travelled to England where he became a protégé and acolyte of James McNeill Whistler, with whom he shared an interest in the Japonaisant movement. Later, Menpes became proficient in the art of reproduction, and Tim will reveal how the 38 paintings after the ‘Great Masters’, now in the National Library, came to be part of a collection of 50 gifted to the Commonwealth as ‘a thank-offering to my native land’. The talk, followed by a gallery walk and afternoon tea, will be an agreeable way to spend a Sunday afternoon in winter. The date is 11 August, so please book without delay.

§§§

When I was talking to Paul McShane about the Australian Festival of the Book, held in Bowral last April, he came up with an offer that might be of real interest to those Friends who collect and read rare and second-hand books. Paul runs BibliOZ (www.biblioz.com.au) and will offer National Library Friends a 10 per cent discount on purchases made, as well as giving them Preferred Client accounts free of charge—normally there is a $55 set-up fee. (All you have to do when registering online is tick the Preferred Client field and remember to insert FONLA10% in the Code field.) Yet another benefit of belonging to the Friends of the National Library!

Friends setting out 'In the Footsteps of Burke and Wills', in June
Friends setting out 'In the Footsteps of
Burke and Wills', in June

§§§

A reminder that Fred Chaney, a man whose social conscience took him beyond politics, will deliver this year’s Kenneth Myer Lecture on 26 September. Book early through the Friends general phone number (02 6262 1551) to avoid disappointment.

§§§

This is my last column as Executive Officer of the Friends before I return to my career in editing. I have enjoyed being with you for the last two-and-a-half years, and am gratified to see how membership figures and attendance at functions have risen. I leave you now with a photograph of those who, on a cold morning in June, embarked on that fabulously successful Friends journey ‘In the Footsteps of Burke and Wills’.

Thank you for having me.

Lee Kirwan
Executive Officer

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