Page 2303 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 1 August 2017

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Jenny initiated Craft ACT’s move to its present location in the city, involving many years of negotiation, and giving the organisation an even greater profile. She was instrumental in working with Klaus Moje and others in creating the first feasibility study for what has become the Canberra Glassworks.

After her cerebral haemorrhage and a long period in hospital and recuperation, Jenny began, in 2003, volunteering and eventually working at Craft Australia, establishing, among other things, the peer-reviewed journal Craft + Design Enquiry. Later, Jenny worked as the journal’s managing editor when it moved to the ANU School of Art. She was still there when its last issue was published in 2015.

Recovering from her illness was a long and slow journey, taking extraordinary determination and tenacity, and loving support and encouragement from her many friends, family and her partner, Michelle.

Jenny served on the boards of many organisations in the crafts, the museum and heritage sectors, sharing her skills in leadership and advocacy. She was the deputy convenor and then the convenor of the Canberra Theatre Centre Advisory Committee and she served on the ACT Cultural Council. She was seen regularly, with Michelle by her side, at exhibition openings, performances and concerts, and she was held in particularly high regard and affection by artists all around Australia. 

Canberra, and the craft scene in particular, has lost a great arts advocate, one who showed great courage in dealing with the considerable challenges in her own life, while also giving so much back to her community. She will be dearly remembered, and certainly missed, by many.

I extend my deepest sympathies to Jenny’s family, friends and colleagues at this time. And I extend my gratitude to Jenny for the generous and extensive legacy she leaves, not only for the arts community here in Canberra but far beyond.

Dainere’s Rainbow—gala dinner

MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.53): On 17 June I was pleased to attend the gala dinner for Dainere’s Rainbow at the Ainslie Football Club. I note that Elizabeth Lee and Senator the Hon Zed Seselja were also in attendance.

Many Canberrans were moved by the story of Gungahlin teenager Dainere Anthony, who courageously blogged about her extended battle against cancer after she was diagnosed with what is formally known as high risk medulloblastoma. Dainere’s blog was subsequently published as a book, You Have To Go Through A Storm To Get To A Rainbow. Dainere sadly passed away in June 2013 but her memory and legacy live on through Dainere’s Rainbow.

The Dainere's Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund was established with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation to support the research of Dr David Ziegler and his team who are working towards improving the outcomes for all children


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