VALE STURT

 

VALE STURT 

A wondrous idea that has passed 

MISSIVE TO Mr STUBBY

 NB: Draft at the time STURT was paused and posted now for the record

Dear Mr Stubby and whoever this may concern,

 Again, I am bound to remind you that if this communication can in any way be characterised as a missive from a rather angry old man that would be because it is. Moreover, I make no apologies for it being so. In the course of my life, I’ve come to know that, like Woody Allen, there is something out there watching us. All too often it is the government. Thus, one must be mindful of ‘the three truths’ … The Sun … The Moon … The Truth … and the fact is that none of them have a secure place to hide. 

As you should already understand for whatever reason I regard myself as a member of the “Sturt Community” and I have been in communication with not only the Sturt Review Committee, and yourself based on that premise. However, this letter to “Sturt Community Members” came to me via a third party who knew all that. So, for whatever reason this letter is not actually addressed to me and as likely as not to the many others also who might well figure in the 340 and 70 souls referred to in your letter.

It is what it is, and the letter is what it is too. 

In fact, your letter is more conspicuous for what it doesn’t say than anything that it does. Moreover, what it does say comes with concerning undertones of Machiavellian manoeuvring. If anyone has spent any time engaged in the corporatisation of public institutions where ‘confidentiality’ is front and centre, sirens sound if accountability and transparency are not unambiguously evident.

It turns out serially and somewhat surreally that time in the hands of the malevolent is a dastardly tool. 

Clearly, your letter to your intended and select audience attempts to put fears to rest. However, far from doing so its language compounds many of the fears those among us have for ‘ideas’ that have seemingly gone astray for a purpose that defies credulity. 

What is at stake here are ideas, ideas that have burgeoned in time, ideas that are quintessentially at the core of cultural landscapes across cultural realities. 

Our aspirations become clearer when we are prompted to look deeply into just what we have invested in what. Looking outside ourselves, we might harbour dreams, however when we look inward, we engage with our realities. 

For the many ‘Sturt supporters’ locally, nationally, and internationally it has been an exasperating wait for news and here we are still on the drip feed and pain killers – and conceivably in palliative care. 

So, will anything of moment happen in 2025 that is the question hanging? While the construction and implementation of a refurbished entity dedicated to making, and making matter more, might well seem to be a possibility – is it really? 

Clearly, the devil is in the detail. It is an imperative that there is a devilish amount of detail to get sorted if there is any Machiavellian manoeuvring to be thwarted. 

Without question, the Sturt Review Committee did what was asked of them and in the most professional way possible. Moreover, they adhered to their brief with utmost integrity. Nonetheless, there is a question hanging … what was the brief’s unspoken, unwritten subtext? Everybody should know that the perfect joke is the one where the setup and punch line are identical. 

Shakespeare tells us that a fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool. 

The clear message coming to me, and others thus far comes as a question. “Is Sturt being set up to fail?” Thinking on it, we might well ask questions like, 

•   Where is the security of tenure to be found for a standalone independent entity? 

•   With what fiscal security can it rely upon? 

•   And just what inheritance is bankable and freely available to Sturt as a standalone independent entity?  

These and other questions are ever likely to be dodged and characterised as untenable, audacious, rude even, as the main game gets played out with the prospect of a stacked deck of cards ever present. Not to put too fine a point on it, the Sturt Community of Ownership and Interest is being invited to gamble in a TWOup game in a ring with a spinner who has Taswegian Pennies – coins with two heads – on his kip. 

There are those among us who question what has been reported as coming from the Extraordinary General Meeting of Winifred West Schools Ltd. (WWS Ltd) That meeting held great promise, and it is said to have delivered.  

Nonetheless, it now seems that was/is an illusion. For instance, did that meeting actually empower the WWS Governors to assert that Sturt would remain under the continued control and ownership of WWS Ltd. Apparently, some in attendance seem to think not. 

Likewise, it is concerning that this might be advocated away from the meeting especially when you assert that Frensham Schools is the WWS Ltd’s core business and additionally that Frensham Schools will continue to utilise Sturt as a facility. 

Some time ago I came to an understanding regarding 21st C cultural institutions. The need for them to have ‘a’ geography is debatable if they are to do with cultural production in contemporaneous context in an increasingly interconnected world. 

For instance, universities and musingplaces sometime in the mid 1980s cease to be ‘the keepers of knowledge’. It was the Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian Smidt who made that observation. Some assert that this function moved to the likes of Wikipedia but not so. Wikipedia has become a quintessential DATAstore and data is not knowledge – knowledge is to do with understanding. Similarly, musingplaces no longer have a teaching purpose albeit that they are places for learning. Quite simply it is not their purpose to teach anything. That is best done elsewhere. 

Whatever, there are gaps to be filled if 'making' is to continue to matter and contribute to our cultural realities in meaningful ways as cultural landscapes reconfigure themselves. 

If Sturt in its new reality is to do all you say and imply, just where is the entity's independence? True freedom is the capacity to act according to one's own true character, to be altogether oneself, to be self-aware and self-determined and not subject to any kind of outside coercion or pre-set agendas. 

To be plain, what I see before me is a Machiavellian mirage masquerading as utopia albeit that an Orwellian dystopia seems to hover just over the horizon on the ready and ever alert to manifest itself. .

Well might we be anxious if we imagine that we might have skin in the game. As Machiavelli tells us … It is a sign of intelligence to be aware of one’s own ignorance. 

We, that is those yet to be acknowledged as members of THE STURT COMMUNITY, await further information in order that we can invest whatever in the enterprise that has apparently been embarked upon. 

Yours sincerely, 

Ray Norman Sturt Alumni, Cultural Producer, Cultural Geographer & Researcher

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

Winifred West (1881–1971) was a British-born Australian educator who founded the prestigious Frensham girls' school in Mittagong (1913) and later established the renowned Sturt craft centre in 1941. Sturt, named after her mother’s family, was created to provide vocational training in spinning, weaving, and woodwork. Located within the Frensham grounds, it grew into a premier centre for contemporary Australian craft, including workshops for wood, pottery, and jewellery.

Key Historical Details of Winifred West & Sturt
• ... Foundation (1941): Following her retirement as Headmistress of Frensham, West established Sturt in 1941 as a community education centre aimed at providing creative skills for local school children and adults.

• ... Purpose: Sturt was designed to foster Arts and Crafts traditions, providing training in practical skills such as weaving, woodwork, and later pottery, which was particularly important during war times.

• ... Development: Named after her mother, Fanny West (née Sturt), the center grew to include specialized studios—wood (1947), weaving (1951), pottery (1954), and jewellery (1969).

• ... Sturt School for Wood (1985): Sturt is home to the acclaimed School for Wood, established later to provide intensive training in furniture design and manufacturing.

• ... Legacy: As part of the Winifred West Schools Ltd, Sturt continued to operate as a gallery, school, and workshop, maintaining its commitment to craftsmanship in the Southern Highlands.

• ... Demise: Frensham Governors initiated a review of the Sturt operation and consequently Sturt was closed albeit that new company was formed to operate Sturt. As of April 2026 functionally Sturt is closed.

• ... Miss West managed Sturt, often in close connection with her neighbouring school, until her death in 1971.

STURT UPDATE

.

Sturt Gallery & Studios

Dear Ray, Thank you for your patience and support during the establishment of Sturt Gallery and Studios Limited (Sturt). We are delighted to announce the inaugural Sturt Board, selected for their breadth of experience across the arts and crafts, a deep knowledge of Sturt, connection to the local and international community, business expertise, fundraising capability and sound governance practice.  The Inaugural Sturt Gallery and Studios Board The Sturt Gallery and Studios Board comprises eight positions, five of which have now been appointed. Directors serve for a three (3) year term. Further appointments may be made in due course to complement the current directors and ensure the full diversity of skills and perspectives required for Sturt’s next chapter. We are pleased to confirm the following appointments:  Tom Brigstocke is CEO of Principals, Australia’s leading brand strategy and design company, working with clients from top-20 ASX companies through to small enterprises across many sectors, including government and tertiary education. Tom has extensive governance experience, having served on a range of boards, including as a Governor of Winifred West Schools. Howard Tanner AM LFRAIA has enjoyed a diverse career as an architect, an author and an exhibition curator. He has written extensively on architecture and landscape design and prepared major exhibitions. He has held the position of National President, Australian Institute of Architects, Chair of the Heritage Council of NSW, and was appointed Professorial Fellow in Architecture, University of Canberra. Howard brings to the Sturt board extensive experience in governance and promotion of public cultural institutions, including the NSW Historic Houses Trust, the National Art School, and the State Library of NSW.  Mary Taguchi (Fellowship, 1961) has a long-standing association with Sturt’s history and creative philosophy, as a teacher, textile artist and scholar. Following her tenure at a bi-lingual school in Tokyo, where she forged deep connections with ceramicists and textile artists, she established Japanese language programs at Frensham and Gib Gate, fostering cross-cultural exchanges. Mary is a published author on arts-based language learning, and is an exhibiting textile artist with works shown across Australia. Formerly a Sturt tutor, she currently shares her expertise in paper and cloth workshops at her Braidwood studio. Michael Harris brings to the board a unique blend of craftsmanship and corporate expertise, combining his Sturt training with over two decades of high-level financial management experience in multinational advertising and communication firms in the UK and Asia. A highly regarded graduate of the Sturt School for Wood, Michael was appointed Wood School Coordinator immediately following his studies. He has been a dedicated member of the Sturt community, including many years of service as a member of the Friends of Sturt committee. Madeline Baker is a distinguished legal professional, solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court, and judicial member of the Civil and Administrative Tribunals in NSW and QLD. Her career also spans significant advisory and teaching roles in government and academia, including senior policy adviser to state ministers, consultant to state and federal government, and as Lecturer in the Law faculty at Southern Cross University. Founding Membership Last year we were overwhelmed by the number of people who applied to become members of the new Sturt. The strength of the response reinforced the significance of Sturt to the Australian arts community. To ensure the success of the new entity, the constitutional membership structure has been refined. As a result, a core group, known as the Founding Members, has been established. These individuals are deeply connected to Sturt and will act as custodians of its future, providing stewardship and, where needed, guidance and support to the Board.  There can be a total of 20 Founding Members, and each member is able to hold this constitutional role for a term of five years.  We are pleased to announce the first ten Founding Members. Annabel Beith Tony Carroll Elinor Crossing Geoff Daniels Gina Fairley Helen Gauchat Elisabeth Nagel Megan Patey Ingrid Wanner  Annabel White Friends of Sturt We acknowledge and greatly value the time and dedication shown by Friends of Sturt over many years. The Sturt Gallery and Studios Constitution now allows the Board to establish Friends of Sturt as a formal supporter community. The precise form, benefits and opportunities for participation within the Friends of Sturt program will be determined by the Board over time as the organisation develops. With the appointment of the inaugural Board, the interim Sturt Board has now stepped down. We thank the directors for their service during this important transitional period. It is a privilege to serve the Sturt community, and a responsibility we take very seriously. We ask for your patience as we take the time to understand Sturt and identify priorities and opportunities, and we look forward to connecting with you over the coming months. Kind regards, Sturt Gallery and Studios Board

MISSIVE FROM WWS GOVERNORS

 

Sturt Gallery & Studios
Dear ……,
Please see below a message from Clementine Allan, Chair of the Board of Governors of Winifred West Schools Limited
 
Dear Sturt Community,
Thank you for the overwhelming interest and goodwill shown in response to the establishment of Sturt Gallery and Studios Limited. The level of engagement has been remarkable, and your continued support is both heartwarming and highly appreciated. 
As part of progressing Sturt’s establishment as an independent entity, the Company Members of Winifred West Schools Limited met last week for an Extraordinary General Meeting in order to endorse the resolutions required to support Sturt’s independence. 
We are now in the final phase of completing the legal, commercial and governance steps required to complete Sturt’s transition. This is a careful and detailed process, and the Sturt interim Board, together with expert advisers, are focused on finalising the governance arrangements for the inaugural Sturt Board and the new operating framework.
Accordingly, there will not be a meeting of the new Sturt entity on 7 February while this work is completed. 
A further announcement will be provided as soon as possible, including an overview of the governance and leadership framework that will guide the next phase of Sturt’s development.
Thank you once again for your patience and support as Sturt enters this next chapter. 
Kind regards,
Clementine Allan 
Chair
Board of Governors
Winifred West Schools Limited ... Friday, 30 January 2026 5:15 PM

The geographic coordinates for Sturt Gallery & Studios in Mittagong, New South Wales, are Sturt Gallery & Studios in Mittagong, NSW, is located at the corner of Range Road and Waverley Parade (2575), with coordinates approximately -34.46° latitude and 150.45° longitude. It is a premier Australian center for contemporary craft, design, and woodwork.

Key Details for Sturt,

1. Mittagong: Address: Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade, Mittagong NSW 2575.
2. Focus: Contemporary craft, galleries, and school for wood.

MMMMMmmm GOOGLE often offers layers of meaning…STORYtree a metaphor . Even if the tree is no longer alive it has coordinates thanks to a COMMUNITY OF OWNERSHIP & INTEREST.

https://www.instagram.com/sturtgalleryandstudios/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMKpHanKj3/?

hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BvdK92XA163/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl69N0fgliL/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl69N0fgliL/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUkEhTaFBGL/?hl=en&img_index=1

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUL928aD0SS/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTEkRw0nCRY/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMKpHanKj3/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs65xoLAG9p/?hl=en&img_index=1

 

DYSTOPIAN PLACEDNESS

"Our problem right now is that we're so specialised that if the lights go out, there are a huge number of people who are not going to know what to do. But within every dystopia there's a little utopia". ... Margaret Atwood 

It was HIGHsummer in 1970 and Winifred West was encountered in the STURTgarden in the early morning, and she was watering a mature camellia tree that she had planted near STURTcottage in STURT's early days.

She had decided that this tree needed to removed to another place. Later on was for her never the time to do things. If one is going to do it do it, do it, but in this case later might well have been better.

When she was asked if she thought that the tree would survive she replied in her Inimitable way ... Humans cannot perform miracles but we can create the circumstances in which they can happen ... and one did. So far as anyone knows that camellia that tree still lives. If the circumstance have been created, a sensibility that it was a part of, its placedness and its shared sense of being in the world, somewhat miraculously and metaphorically all that might survive too.

In our searches for wisdom we might well find that dystopia's beauty might well be that it lets us vicariously experience future worlds albeit that we might yet have the power and inclination to change ... here ... and right now.

AND there is this to ponder ... The geographic coordinates for Sturt Gallery & Studios in Mittagong, New South Wales, Sturt Gallery & Studios in Mittagong, NSW, is located at the corner of Range Road and Waverley Parade (2575), with coordinates approximately -34.46° latitude and 150.45° longitude. It is a premier Australian center for contemporary craft, design, and woodwork. 

Key Details for Sturt, Mittagong: 

• Address: Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade, Mittagong NSW 2575.
• Coordinates: Approximately
  

  ${34.46}^{\circ }S,{150.45}^{\circ }E$
  (listed as
  

  $-34.46$
  North,
  

  $150.45$
  West in some reports, likely indicating
  

  ${34}^{\circ }{27}^{\prime }{36}^{\prime \prime }S$
  

  ${150}^{\circ }{27}^{\prime }{00}^{\prime \prime }E$
  ).
• Focus: Contemporary craft, galleries, and school for wood. 

LINK