FRIENDS OF THE ATW LECTURE SERIES: The life and legacy of Sir John Monash

The Australian Tapestry Workshop is honoured to be creating the major tapestry Morning Star for the new Sir John Monash Centre, to be opened in France next year. In recognition of Sir John Monash – military commander, engineer and lawyer – the Friends of the Australian Tapestry Workshop invite you to a presentation on his life and legacy. Dr Michael Headberry, Victorian Director of the Saluting Monash Council, will address the many facets of Sir John Monash with a particular focus on his role as a wartime leader and his extensive efforts in ensuring the quick and safe return of Australian soldiers following the end of World War I.

Morning Star, designed by Lyndell Brown and Charles Green is the second significant commemorative work undertaken by the Australian Tapestry Workshop in the past few years. In 2015 Avenue of Remembrance, designed by Imants Tillers, was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to commemorate the centenary of ANZAC Day. Master weaver Pamela Joyce has worked on both tapestries. Following Dr. Headberry’s lecture, Ms. Joyce will provide her insights on the tapestry process and her involvement in the creation of these two significant works.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:

Dr Michael Headberry is a foundation student of Monash University and heads the Monash Alumni Group, The Monash Pioneers, comprising students from the first five years (1961-65). In 2013 Dr Headberry initiated the Sir John Monash Sculptural Project at Monash University, chairing the Project Board.  The statue by Peter Corlett OAM was unveiled in April 2015. In 2014, former Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Tim Fischer AC, asked Dr Headberry to join the newly formed Saluting Monash Council as the Victorian Director. Dr Headberry and his team have since embarked on raising support for the promotion of John Monash to the rank of Field Marshal.

Pamela Joyce became interested in tapestry whilst studying a double major in fine art in conjunction with her teaching degree. She began working at the ATW in 1980 and has since worked on numerous major projects including the Roger Kemp Suite in the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arthur Boyd Reception hall tapestry for Parliament House in Canberra and the Jørn Utzon tapestry Homage to Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach for the Sydney Opera House. She is currently leading the Morning Star tapestry project.