In 1991, I formed the first Winmalee Autumn Artfest Committee comprised of ten enthusiastic volunteers from the Winmalee High School P&C and Teachers. The first Artfest was held in May 1992 and from this year on, in one way or another I was involved in every Artfest until its 20th year in 2011. In the last few years of this time, I helped Pam Gosbee in the finance room, but in the early years designed the logo and banners, built display tables, stapled hessian covers and curated the exhibition and all other tasks as were needed as a member of the team. My senior students in 1991 painted all the banners and silk-screened the team t-shirts and aprons, a few of which were still used by some of the original team members such as Valda Mullett in the Artfest Café until the 2oth year.
I don’t know how much money was raised for the students of the school over the twenty years, certainly in excess of $400,00.00, but for me the Artfest was about the identity of the township of Winmalee and the need for an annual community event.
I was a secondary school teacher for over thirty years teaching students in Visual Arts, Photography, Ceramics and Digital Media. I was initially a classroom teacher at Winmalee High School in 1986 two days a week part time and then from 1990 to 2002 the Head Teacher Visual Arts at Winmalee High School.
In 2002, I became the Regional Arts Coordinator for Western Sydney with a focus on events management and remained in this position until 2011.
In my role as a Senior Education Officer for both the NSW Arts Unit and the NSW Department of Education & Training in the role of Regional Arts Coordinator for Western Sydney, I coordinated major arts events and festivals for students in public schools from kindergarten to the Higher School Certificate in all aspects of the Arts – dance, drama, music and the visual arts. My portfolio also included debating, public speaking and spelling.
As a Visual Artist in my own right, I maintained my artistic practice while working as a full time Educator. I was proud to be associated with the Winmalee Autumn Artfest and was especially honoured to Open the event in its 20th year.
Jennifer Trezise ... Artist & Poet 