|PIC1|The Basil Sellers Art Prize was initiated in 2004 by Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson, a Baptist minister of 31 years. When he lived at Moruya, his ministry included respite for Australian Institute of Sport athletes at Basil Sellers House in Moruya as well as his Australian cricket ministry.
He had become involved in art as effective respite for himself, and his active role on the Moruya arts council made him realise that Moruya did not have an arts centre.
He sought out Mr Basil Sellers AM, who graciously agreed to sponsor the Basil
Sellers Art Centre which was officially opened in 2003 who announced the Art Prize for the following year.
In December 2005 Mark Tronson and his family relocated to Tweed Heads replicating the athlete respite facility (Basil Sellers Tweed) and in 2007 the Tweed Basil Sellers Fine Arts Studio was officially opened.
In Eurobodalla, the Basil Sellers Art Prize was such a community success that the Shire Council immediately adopted its administration, and it has become the flag ship arts endeavour for the Shire.
"In his speech announcing the winner of this 2008 prize, Eurobodalla Mayor, Fergus Thomson, proudly commented that the catchment area of applicants will now expand to include the five Shires surrounding Eurbodalla," M V Tronson reported.
It is to be noted with some interest that the first three Basil Sellers Art Prize winners have all been outstanding women artists; Susan Christie (2004), Jennifer Hawkins (2006) and Kerry Johns (2008). The 2008 judges were John McDonald (Sydney Morning Herald), Cath Bowdler (Wagga Wagga Art Gallery) and Richard Maude (recognised in the visual arts).
The Basil Sellers Art Prize is now held in association with the town's Jazz Festival in the Moruya township at the Mechanics Institute building. Meanwhile, Well-Being Australia's Basil Sellers Art Centre which is nestled in its bush location three kilometres out of town is to be relocated.
"Mr Basil Sellers himself acquires each winning entry and his desire is to eventually house the winning entries in the Basil Sellers Art Centre," Mark Tronson commented. "Once relocated adjacent to the athlete respite facility Basil Sellers House, it will be more secure and better utilised by local artists."