Art Historian, Andrew Mackenzie OAM, speaking at the commemoration of Walter Withers.
Click here to hear an excerpt of the speech on YouTube.

Following the speech by Art Historian, Andrew Mackenzie OAM, attendees gathered on the steps at the front of the building to create a lasting image to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, and his long term involvement with the Victorian Artists Society.

Walter Withers grandson, John Withers (center) and Mary Owen granddaughter, (left), Andrew Mackenzie OAM,
art historian, along with descendants of the Capewell family, and representatives of Presbyterian Ladies' College
at the Walter Withers commemoration at the Victorian Artists Society.

The event was held at the Albert Street, East Melbourne headquarters of the Victorian Artists Society, and was attended by Walter Withers' granddaughter, Mary Owen and grandson John Withers. 

As the commemoration fell on the 99th Anniversary of the first ANZAC Day, there was a focus on one of Walter Withers most famous paintings - The Drover, which is linked to the first World War and now hangs in the Bendigo Art Gallery.

Nine descendants of the ' Drover', Mr Capewell, a butcher from Eltham who featured in the painting, attended the commemoration, travelling long distances from Moama, Bendigo, Elmore, Korumburra, and Moonee Ponds, Eltham and Ringwood.

Left: Eileen Mackley, President, Victorian Artists Society with descendants of the Capewell family.
Front left: Andrew Mackenzie OAM, art historian with Walter Withers' granddaughter, Mary Owen and grandson 
John Withers at the Walter Withers commemoration at the Victorian Artists Society.

Also attending were students from the Presbyterian Ladies' College where Walter Withers was an art master for a number of years teaching at the city campus, which was located on the current site of the Dallas Brooks Hall in Albert Street. 

One of these students attending was Victoria Streeton, the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Arthur Streeton, joined by her mother Catherine Streeton, the great-granddaughter of the famous Sir Arthur Streeton, also a former member of the Victorian Artists Society.

Representatives of Presbyterian Ladies' College at the Walter Withers commemoration at the Victorian Artists Society.
Back: Andrew Mackenzie OAM, art historian, with Catherine Streeton, the great-granddaughter of Sir Arthur Streeton.
Front left: Tina Tian, PLC 2015 Art Captain; Walter Withers' granddaughter, Mary Owen and grandson John Withers
with Victoria Streeton, the great-great-granddaughter of Sir Arthur Streeton.

Art historian and Walter Withers Biographer, Andrew Mackenzie detailed the work of the artist with a display including Walter Withers' sketching stool, paint box, palette, brushes and historic photos of the artist and family, including photos of Walter Withers teaching at Presbyterian Ladies' College.

Descendants of the Capewell family and representatives of Presbyterian Ladies' College in the audience
at the Walter Withers commemoration at the Victorian Artists Society in East Melbourne.

All Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Victorian Artists Society Mobile: 0417 329 201