By Marg Stork
REMINISCENCES were the order of the day when a tribute was unveiled to the Dandenong Festival of Music and Art for Youth late last month.
About 35 guests gathered to see a modern artwork that featured a photograph of the opening of the festival on June 27, 1948 at the former town hall, now known as the Drum Theatre.
Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea officiated at the ceremony in the theatre’s hall foyer. The hosts were from the festival’s wind-up committee and city council representatives.
The art project was funded by the festival panel. Special visitors were two of Gembrook’s leading artists: Sue Jarvis – daughter of Maurie Jarvis, a former mayor of the shire of Dandenong – and Bronwen Sinott.
After nurturing many artists, musicians and young actors, the festival ended in 2009. The top music categories were the Australian Youth Aria and the Australian Youth Piano Festival.
Talented youngsters who shone at the festival included Helena Dix and Elena Xanthoudakis.
In 1948, the festival had just over 100 entrants in its music and speech sections. And it grew and grew. In 2001, it was the largest cultural event in Greater Dandenong and drew more than 2000 entrants, took five weeks to complete, using not only the town hall full-time but three other halls on Saturdays – making it the largest youth eisteddfod with an age limit of 26.
For 58 years, businesses and individuals made generous contributions to the festival. In 2001, awards totalling $40,000 were presented.
Footnote: For many years, dating back to the days when I used to type letters for Greg Dickson, the sole editor/proprietor of the Dandenong Journal, I used to help him report the success stories that resulted from the annual event.
He especially enjoyed the art section and at his Pultney Street home he had a ‘youth art’ gallery that anyone would take pride in. Greg presented me with one of his treasures – a picture painted by Sue Jarvis of the Dandenongs.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
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