Ms ANDERSON - 2006-10-10
It was recorded that the premises of the Central Australian Art Society was burnt to the ground, leaving this cultural group without a home. What has been done to assist the Arts Society?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am sure that all members from Alice Springs eagerly await the answer to this important question, particularly for Alice Springs and the arts community. Recently, a terrible fire pretty much wiped out the much loved shed of the Central Australian Art Society, or CAAS, in Crispe Street in Alice Springs on 15 August.
On a recent visit to Alice Springs I met with the CAAS President, Dugald Beattie, and Sarah Brown, one of the committee members, who took me to see the shed. It was quite depressing to see the aftermath of the fire. Many of the CAAS membership lost years of work as well as equipment and materials in the blaze.
I am pleased to inform, not just the Assembly, but members from Central Australia, that we have responded quickly to assist CAAS. A building has been located at the Araluen Centre; one of the heritage buildings formerly occupied by the Steiner School, as temporary premises for the Art Society while they rebuild. It was a nice way of combining my Arts and Heritage portfolio. With the prompt assistance of my colleague, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, whom I thank, the CAAS lease over the Crispe Street site has now been renewed which will assist the society to make their plans and raise finances for the rebuilding efforts ahead. I thank my department staff at Araluen for acting so swiftly, as well as those in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. It is great to see the two departments working like this.
Members, and I am sure the member for Braitling, would know, the Central Australian Art Society is one of the oldest groups in Central Australia and perhaps in the whole of the Northern Territory. It was established in 1963 and has played a long role in the art scene in Alice Springs. Over the past 10 years, 700 to 1000 and - I know the Leader of the Opposition does not really care about Central Australia or the art scene there. She thinks it is quite amusing …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not prepared to cop that. What an inane statement. I do ask that you withdraw it and, if you are not minded to do so, then direct the minister to be at least be honest when she is talking in this Chamber
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, I ask you to withdraw the last comment. Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw your comments about honesty in relation to the minister. I have asked both of you to withdraw.
Ms CARNEY: I withdraw the comment, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Back to CAAS, which is very important. … seven hundred to 1000 works from over 600 artists, with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists participating and over $20 000 in prize money to artists. The shed has been a welcomed meeting place for the Western Desert Dialysis Unit mob and work for the Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, and the list goes on. We are talking about a great community organisation and one that deserves our support. I wish CAAS all the best. Next Sunday, they are having a fundraising activity. To all the members in Central Australia it would be good to get out there on 20 October to be part of this fundraising activity for CAAS so that they can get the needed finance to help them with their rebuilding activities. That is the challenge to the members from Central Australia.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am sure that all members from Alice Springs eagerly await the answer to this important question, particularly for Alice Springs and the arts community. Recently, a terrible fire pretty much wiped out the much loved shed of the Central Australian Art Society, or CAAS, in Crispe Street in Alice Springs on 15 August.
On a recent visit to Alice Springs I met with the CAAS President, Dugald Beattie, and Sarah Brown, one of the committee members, who took me to see the shed. It was quite depressing to see the aftermath of the fire. Many of the CAAS membership lost years of work as well as equipment and materials in the blaze.
I am pleased to inform, not just the Assembly, but members from Central Australia, that we have responded quickly to assist CAAS. A building has been located at the Araluen Centre; one of the heritage buildings formerly occupied by the Steiner School, as temporary premises for the Art Society while they rebuild. It was a nice way of combining my Arts and Heritage portfolio. With the prompt assistance of my colleague, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, whom I thank, the CAAS lease over the Crispe Street site has now been renewed which will assist the society to make their plans and raise finances for the rebuilding efforts ahead. I thank my department staff at Araluen for acting so swiftly, as well as those in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. It is great to see the two departments working like this.
Members, and I am sure the member for Braitling, would know, the Central Australian Art Society is one of the oldest groups in Central Australia and perhaps in the whole of the Northern Territory. It was established in 1963 and has played a long role in the art scene in Alice Springs. Over the past 10 years, 700 to 1000 and - I know the Leader of the Opposition does not really care about Central Australia or the art scene there. She thinks it is quite amusing …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am not prepared to cop that. What an inane statement. I do ask that you withdraw it and, if you are not minded to do so, then direct the minister to be at least be honest when she is talking in this Chamber
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, I ask you to withdraw the last comment. Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to withdraw your comments about honesty in relation to the minister. I have asked both of you to withdraw.
Ms CARNEY: I withdraw the comment, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister?
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I withdraw, Madam Speaker.
Back to CAAS, which is very important. … seven hundred to 1000 works from over 600 artists, with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists participating and over $20 000 in prize money to artists. The shed has been a welcomed meeting place for the Western Desert Dialysis Unit mob and work for the Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, and the list goes on. We are talking about a great community organisation and one that deserves our support. I wish CAAS all the best. Next Sunday, they are having a fundraising activity. To all the members in Central Australia it would be good to get out there on 20 October to be part of this fundraising activity for CAAS so that they can get the needed finance to help them with their rebuilding activities. That is the challenge to the members from Central Australia.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016