The President and Vice President of WASA were invited to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee at Government House this month. It was interesting that over 100 years ago (in 1897) our then newly formed West Australian Society of Arts also participated in celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

In the address made by the then secretary of WASA, Mr Victor Henry he proclaimed –

” We recognise the important and lasting progress that Art has made under the fostering and sympathetic influence of your Majesty, and in these distant colonies there are signs that a distinct school of Art is growing to interpret the novel and ever-changing aspect of antipodean life and nature.”

It was a fantastic afternoon. We were lucky enough to be introduced to the next appointed Governor of Western Australia, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson.

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC was also gracious enough to take time out of the festivities to have his photo taken with Cass Gartner. The Governor commissioned Cass Gartner to capture Government House’s gardens in watercolour. Needless to say, Cass did not disappoint with a timeless piece.