THE recent Ode to Olley Dinner held at NERAM has been hailed as a great fund-raising success.
Organised by the Friends of NERAM to celebrate what would have been Margaret Olley’s 90th birthday on 15 June, the dinner was well attended and raised in excess of $12,000 which will go towards the acquisition of Margaret Olley’s famous painting, The Yellow Room triptych.
“It was a wonderful night with many of Margaret’s supporters in attendance,” Friends of NERAM Chair, Martha Saw said.
“Apparently Margaret Olley loved celebrating her birthday so we were overwhelmed that many of her friends were willing to send personal tributes to us in Armidale. These were read out on the night which contributed to a great atmosphere and celebrated a wonderful artist and inspiration to many.”
The dinner was attended by Philip Bacon, Olley’s dealer for over 40 years, as well as her biographer, Meg Stewart. Odes to Olley were received from Barry Humphries, artist Ben Quilty, Emeritus Professor at the Art Gallery of New South Wales Barry Pearce and the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, and were read out during the evening.
