Image:
Holland Park
Photo provided by Georgina Burston

GEORGINA BURSTON FAMILY

The family of Georgina Burston and her husband David Elford have farmed and contributed to the Benalla community for many generations.

Over the years Georgina ensured her children, Sandy and Felicity were closely connected to the Gallery –- they visited countless exhibitions, took part in holiday programs, and Georgina treasures memories of the children playing in the Gallery while the adults prepared for fundraising events.

Some of Georgina’s fondest memories and strongest connections were due to her involvement with the ‘Gallery Friends‘. The Friends group was incredibly active during the 1990s. Many of the Friends were newly married or young mothers. With no café at the Gallery then, and before strict food-handling regulations, they provided much of the catering for Gallery events. The group named themselves ‘Lakeside Catering’ and proudly wore matching T-shirts and aprons.

The Black-tie Winter dinners were legendary. The themed events included live bands in the foyer and hosted up to 200 guests, who had travelled from all parts of Victoria.  Before the event Georgina and her neighbours would gather with their guests for pre-dinner drinks at home. One year, realising how many neighbours were attending, Georgina organised a 52-seater bus to transport them 200 metres to the Gallery. Later, they all wandered back through the cold, dark fog over the bridge, house guests in tow, creating plenty of noise and laughter after another unforgettable night at the Gallery.

Georgina regards the Benalla Art Gallery Foundation as a true gem of her community – something her family continues to value and hopes to see thrive as an important part of Benalla’s future for many generations to come.