In July we held our AGM at St Mary's, Merivale, and bid farewell to five of our committee members: Paul Deans, Joce Gilchrist, Cheryl Lucas, Annette Prier and treasurer John Midgeley. All have worked hard on your behalf over many years and we are very sad to lose them. In addition to this, Joc, Paul and Brent and Judith Bruce were awarded life memberships of the Friends for their outstanding service to the organisation — fortunately for us they are also willing to stay involved with the Friends. We have appointed new committee members, all of whom are excellent, and I hope to introduce them fully in the next newsletter.

The Friends committee has been working hard over the last six months under very challenging conditions to try and keep you abreast of what is happening with the organisation, and to compile a small programme of events for you over the coming months. After February's earthquake we did not actively seek membership renewals, but we have been very grateful to the many Friends who did renew their memberships without being reminded and without the Friends being able to offer them much in return. Your forbearance is very much appreciated. It was announced at the AGM that we will now have to start seeking renewals again — we still have accounts to pay and at present subscriptions form the Friends' only source of income.
As the Gallery is expected to remain closed until early 2012, we are now holding events at alternate locations — I hope you enjoy the series of talks being held at the South Library and hopefully it will not be long until we have events scheduled in the Gallery again.