Crafts centre farewells pottery tutor

Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre farewelled pottery tutor Ms Penny Riley at the end of last year after more than 22 years of service to the community.

"Penny, who has been a tutor at the centre since February 1985, has retired and is looking forward to enjoying the slower pace of life and participating in the activities of Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre as a student in one of their many classes," vice president Ms Dorothy Mulholland said.

"Penny first became interested in pottery and ceramics while living in London during the 1960s and it was following her return to Australia that she attended the East Sydney Technical College to study for her degree in ceramics.

"Penny went on to spend many years studying with some respected potters, gaining more knowledge and learning different techniques.

"Penny's gift of being able to convey her knowledge to her students is evidenced in the success enjoyed by her students in the wider world of pottery and ceramics."

The centre will welcome new pottery tutor Ms Annette Poole and children's pottery tutor Ms Anniss Seymour when term one classes begin on February 2.

"Annette Reid, an Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre student of some 14 years, won first prize for a functional pottery piece at the 2008 Royal Easter Show," Ms Mulholland said.

"The 2008 Gosford Art Prize saw the work of two of Penny's students, Anniss Seymour and Annette Reid, selected.

"This much sought after prize has a selection process where only 12 pots are selected from over 60 entries and two of those pots belonged to our students.

"Last year was the 40th birthday of the Central Coast Potters Society and once again our potters were widely represented in this exhibition held at Caroline Bay.

"Penny together with Fay Capewell, Annette Reid, Anniss Seymour and Grace Coulter had their pots selected and there were many familiar names from Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre amongst the beautiful pots on display."

According to Ms Mulholland, among Ms Riley's personal achievements is a Gosford Council Community Service Award in 1996, together with a Rotary International Award for Community Service in 2002.

"The buildings enjoyed by Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre today are a legacy of the tenacity and leadership of Penny Riley," Ms Mulholland said.

"The centre originally began under the umbrella of the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club and we used the rooms which were at the rear of the old club building.

"When it became clear that the club was being demolished we needed a new home and it was at this time that Penny lobbied state, federal and local governments for new premises.

"Soon after came a contribution of money towards part of the cost of building the clean room. "Many garage sales and other fundraising efforts later, our rooms in Kitchener Park on the corner of Picnic Pde and Maitland Bay Dr were opened in February 1994.

"It was with the leadership of Penny, the support of a strong committee and the enthusiasm of our students that we have been able to fulfill the dream of having our own premises."

Press release, 15 Jan 2009 Dorothy Mulholland, Ettalong Beach Arts and Crafts Centre