2010 was another busy year for the Society. Most significantly, we were involved in discussions with artsACT and the architects Collins Caddaye about the design of the five new studios and artist’s residence. It is good to see construction of these underway at last. They should be finished sometime in July. A subcommitte of the Board, comprising Janet Fieldhouse, Maryke Henderson and Jane Crick, is currently considering the best way to run the residency program, and the Board will be discussing this further at its next meeting.

We did well with grants for physical improvements. Three new tables and twelve stools were purchased with a grant from the ACT Department of Housing, Disability and Community Services. But I am disappointed to tell you that one of the stools subsequently disappeared from the workshop, and the only conclusion we can draw is that it was stolen.

You may recall that the tables and stools were obtained with the aim of us running a class for the blind and visually impaired. Again, I am disappointed to note that there was a distinct lack of takeup from the blind community, although I believe that interest is not the only factor, and travel options are also a significant issue. The fact that we just missed out on funding from the Australia Council for such a class, however, probably saved us a deal of embarrassment. Given that our resources are relatively thin and we need to direct our efforts where the chance of success is greatest, this class is not now a high priority. However, the new furniture is being put to good use and is greatly appreciated, and we remain open to any interest that might be shown in future by the visually impaired community.

Recently, new locks were installed on all doors to the premises (except for the kiln shed), partly courtesy of another DHCS grant, for ‘Improving Safety and Security’. Although the Society funded just under half the total cost, it is likely that the project wouldn’t have happened if the grant hadn’t been on offer.

Finally on the grants stage, we successfully bid for a $25,000 Community Energy Grant from the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water. 33 photovoltaic panels will generate up to 6.105 kW of solar energy, which has the potential to save us approx $4000 a year on our electricity bills. Installation is scheduled for next week.

We also acquired, thanks to David Walker, 3 more kilns, which are yet to be hooked up. A large brick-lined gas kiln in immaculate condition, and two small electric kilns, which will improve our range of kilns for members’ use. These were purchased by the Society, but at very generous prices. In addition, we also got from David ten large ware trolleys on high-quality castors. One of these will go in each new studio and the rest will be used in the kiln shed and workshops.

The foyer kitchen was renovated by artsACT last year, greatly improving the facility for exhibition openings, and while the quality and design have left a bit to be desired, we won’t look the gift horse in the mouth.

On the OH&S front , at the beginning of last year we commissioned Gail Nichols to conduct a safety audit of our premises and operations. Gail produced a list of recommendations and a small subcommittee of the Board has been slowly implementing these. There is still a fair bit to do, but I hope you have all noticed the results of the new wet vacuum cleaning, the 2 air filters in the workshop and glaze area, and the various safety signs that have appeared round the place. We also completed a survey of dangerous materials on the premises. For your peace of mind, we do not have any officially dangerous materials on the premises in quantities that require official notification, though many are hazardous. These are kept securely, and are accessible only to authorised staff. I will take the opportunity to remind you that clay dust is the most common hazard on the premises, and while the staff do their best to keep that to a minimum, it is up to everyone to leave their work space clean for the next person.

We started 2010 with governance issues still on the table. The main issue was the restrictions on Board membership for key arts organisations as stated in the 2010 artsACT funding guidelines. These prohibit staff from being on the Board, which of course rules out all those members who, historically, have had the most involvement in running the Society, our teachers. Our representations to Jon Stanhope, ACT Minister for the Arts, got the response that our concerns would be taken into account for the 2011 guidelines. We also had a discussion with Robert Piani of artsACT, who attended our February Board meeting. The outcome was that we are now clearer in what we can do, and we have effectively overcome the main problem. There are still some issues, however; for example, currently, the president chairs the Board, but with teachers being excluded from the Board, that, to my mind at least, rules out a number of prime potential candidates for the position of president. We will need to tackle this issue this year.

The conditions of our new licence to occupy the Watson Arts Centre were another significant issue, when were required to submit a register of assets that artsACT would then allocate between us and them, apparently regardless of who acquired them in the first place. Although we obtained legal advice, thankfully pro bono through the Australian Business Arts Foundation’s advice bank, which basically agreed with our position, artsACT refused to budge. A meeting with David Whitney, Director of artsACT, clarified the issue and cleared the air somewhat. Of course, we were over the proverbial barrel, and really had no option but to accept their terms. So despite the wording of the licence, which I still regard as unsatisfactory, we signed, and now have a licence which ties in with our funding agreement. Just why that is considered necessary or even desirable, I have no idea. Government works in mysterious ways.

The Board met 6 times, in Jan, Feb, April, Jul, Oct, and Nov. At the AGM in March,  Allen Black replaced Virginia Walsh, who was unable to continue. And at the first Board meeting after the AGM Patsy Hely tendered her resignation, owing to pressure of other commitments. Catherine Reid was subsequently invited to join the Board, and I am pleased to say that she accepted the invitation. I should mention here that the Society now has liability insurance that covers Board members, staff and volunteers.

Although it was not strictly in this reporting year, I would like to record in the minutes the sad death on 12 Feb 2011 of Board member Peter Mobey. Peter was an enthusiastic and first-class Board member. Despite his ill health, he continued on the Board, only missing meetings when the after-effects of chemotherapy proved just too much on the night. He is greatly missed.

This year the Board has endeavoured to step back from the day to day activities of the Society. It is not, strictly speaking, the Board’s responsibility to organise these – members events, workshops, open day, and the members’ exhibition – as the old committee used to. To this end, we set up several subcommittees, membership of which does not exclude those members on the payroll. An OH&S subcommittee comprises Andrea Ho (drop-in member), Chris Harford (workshop manager), Maryke Henderson (teacher), and me (President and, as such, ex-officio member of all subcommittees).

What were previously referred to as teachers meetings are now regarded as meetings of the Education subcommittee. The subtle difference is that subcommittees do not make decisions, they make recommendations to the Board. This is to eliminate possible conflicts of interest that could exist if, for example, teachers were involved in making decisions that affected their employment.

The Board has also set up an Activities subcommittee, comprising the organisers or coordinators of a number of our activities – workshops, members’ events, newsletter editor, librarian, shop representative, workshop manager, program manager, members’ exhibition, and open day. Attendance at these meetings, which I tried to hold monthly, varied considerably. I think they have been useful, in that they provide an opportunity to share thoughts, raise ideas, and air issues of concern. It would be good if more members could see them as essential and give them some priority.

The Board made a submission to the Loxton review of the arts in the ACT and had a meeting with Peter Loxton; it also responded to an invitation to comment on the findings and recommendations of the review.

We are also monitoring proposals for the Centenary of Canberra celebrations. I have a meeting with Robyn Archer at the end of this month when I understand she will have a big proposal to put to us.

In July, the Board agreed that it was time to revamp the Society’s web site. We acknowledged that Sara Hogwood set up the original site and has maintained it ever since. We agreed that she had done an excellent job, but that it was now time for a redesign. I commend Sara for fully supporting this decision. After obtaining three quotes, the Board agreed to proceed with Mark Dale of Genius Moon. A design brief is almost finalised and work will soon start on building the new web site, which we expect to launch later this year.

Our finances have continued to be managed by Treasurer Roger Ellyard, and when he presents his financial report you will see just how well he has done this. I express my personal gratitude, which I am sure will be echoed by the Board, for his dedication and attention, not just to the broad outline, but to the fine detail of our income and expenditure.

I now want to extend my thanks to everyone who worked hard through 2010 to ensure that our success of previous years continues. As we publicly acknowledge the ACT Government’s contribution, we should recognise that the main financial underpinning of the Society comes from its program of pottery classes. And the success of this program is due to the dedication and skill of Chris Harford, Bhavana Moylan and our team of teachers, teaching assistants, kiln packers, and cleaners. I won’t attempt to name everyone this year. I am bound to leave someone out, and you all know who you are.

2010 started as always with the Society sponsoring the Pottery Section of the Canberra Times Craft Expo at the Royal Canberra Show. This activity has been managed for many years by Judy McDonald, who was most deservedly elected Honorary Life Member at the 2010 AGM. Goodness knows what we will do when she decides she has had enough. But until then we will continue to thank her for presenting the Society to the public in such a professional way.

Exciting and interesting workshops and activities for members continued during the year, thanks to Jane Crick and Maryke Henderson. Special thanks to Alex de Vos for generously sharing his salt firings with us. Again, I am not listing all the year’s events here as they were all reported in the newsletter, which for 2010 was ably edited by Jenny Hadzi-Popovic. I am pleased to say she will be continuing as editor this year.

Our library continues to be a well-used resource for members, and is kept up to date and well-maintained, thanks to Sarah Hendriks. Knocking a hole through from the meeting room is still on my list of things to do.

The 2010 members’ exhibition was an outstanding success, thanks to Linda Davy and judge, Sandy Lockwood. Congratulations to Chris Harman, who took out the Doug Alexander Memorial Award. Thanks also to Jane Crick, who coordinated another successful Society Open Day.

As always, Sara Hogwood deserves a medal. She is at this moment on a well-deserved holiday, and her absence only emphasises her value. In 2010, as Program Manager, she ran an excellent program of exhibitions in the gallery, the pinnacle of which was Jeff Mincham: Ceramics. How well did we do to host that? Sara’s organisation of the Winter and Christmas Fairs ensured that they both did very well financially, and her oversight of the Potters Place operating system is invaluable. As Office Manager, she liaises with artsACT on a host of issues, acquits our grants, maintains our computer systems and the membership database, and fields the myriad of enquiries we get. She attends all exhibition openings, many in her own time, as 22 paid hours per week are just not enough, and she maintains the Society web site, from home, as a volunteer. Thank you Sara.

I thank my fellow Board members,  Andrea Ho, Janet Fieldhouse, Catherine Reid, Roger Ellyard, for their support over the last year and, not least, for agreeing to renominate for another year. I also thank Allen Black and regret that health problems have prevented him from renominating. He will be missed, and we wish him a speedy recovery and a return to the Thursday morning drop-in group. I also thank Bhavana Moylan, who takes the minutes for the Board meetings and is also taking the minutes today.

Finally, I acknowledge the support of the ACT Government, through artsACT. Despite our occasional disagreements with them, they look after us well, and the value of our status as a key arts organisation should not be underrated.

As I researched last year’s newsletters to remind me of 2010’s activities, in the June issue, I came across a little piece by Cherrie Hornery. It was called WHY I GO TO THE AGM, Cherrie ended by saying “But the answer was really very simple. I could not afford to enjoy my pottery endeavours if the Society was not a Society. I could not afford to continue if I had to pay market rates for classes, kiln firing, glazes and all the other financial benefits of membership.

Paying a membership fee is only one step in participating in the benefits of Society membership. If the AGMs fail, the Society itself will eventually fail.

Very simply put ... an hour or two once a year is a very small additional price to pay for the benefits I receive being a member. I hope to see you next time, at the 2011 CPS AGM!”

Thank you Cherrie. You summed it up perfectly. And, thankfully, you are not alone.