Stewart McArthur (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am pleased to mark the occasion when Eugene von Guerard’s famous View of Geelong painting, having been returned to its home in Geelong, will be unveiled at the Geelong Art Gallery tonight for the enjoyment of current and future generations. The Howard government has been instrumental in helping the Geelong Art Gallery purchase this important part of Geelong’s art heritage. This evening I will be pleased to represent the Prime Minister and the minister for the arts at the official unveiling function.

Von Guerard’s 1956 View of Geelong is a painting of national significance. Over recent years the View of Geelong artwork had been lost to our country, being housed in the United Kingdom. The Geelong Art Gallery was first given the option of purchasing the artwork and the gallery acted under the leadership of the Director, Geoffrey Edwards, to secure the necessary funds. The gallery raised $1 million for the artwork from the Geelong community. I have strongly supported the campaign to return this painting to Geelong. The Australian government has committed around $800,000 to allow the Geelong Art Gallery to confirm its purchase and secure the painting. The acquisition of the View of Geelong will enhance the Geelong Gallery’s collection which, together with Frederick McCubbin’s nationally recognised art treasure A Bush Burial, will make it a gallery of world significance.

The Geelong Art Gallery also raised $1.5 million from the Victorian government and $600,000 from the City of Greater Geelong. The support of federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, played an important role in convincing the government to make this one-off payment on behalf of Australian taxpayers. The Geelong gallery and community should be congratulated on their vision in securing this important part of Geelong’s heritage. (Time expired)