Image of a Charles Conder painting on front of soft covered book titled The Artists' Camps: Plein Air Painting In Melbourne 1885-1898. FOREWORD by Margaret Plant - Department of Visual Arts, Monash University. The paintings of the 'Heidelberg school" are the best loved group of works in Australian art. The affection is linked in the national mind with a recognition that the authentic Australian landscape had been discovered and colonial bonds broken. The painting activity of the 1880s and 1890s was by no means confined to Heidelberg. Helen Topliss painstakingly presents the variety of sites around Melbourne, in the bush and on the coast, reconstructing their original character and the history of their accessibility. The major figures are well known — Roberts, McCubbin, Streeton and Conder — but there were a number of 'minor' artists associated with the various painting spots that have been too long neglected. A research programme is here initiated in the hope that some of these figures might be more fully returned to us. The restoration of the sites provokes a more extensive roll-call of artists involved in the plein air phenomenon. Various expressions of nationalism in the late nineteenth century have been accorded attention: the painters contributed in varying degrees. But it is, finally, the quality of the painting, the freshness, the particularity of nuance, the calculated aesthetic angles that have governed response and inspired affection. The elegant relaxation themes of many of the paintings have in fact been overlooked in the intellectualization of the quest for 'national identity'. The orchards and the beaches, the ladies promenading a la mode on the beach at Mentone or in the grasses of Box Hill are as important to our artistic tradition and social history as the shearers of rams.

From Rosemary Cameron - This quilt has been made in 100% wool to celebrate the diversity, durability and beauty of pure wool, especially the lightweight cool wools. The woollen patches were kindly donated by Mr. David Jones, managing Director of Fletcher Jones and Staff which were pre-cut samples of European Fabrics in various weights, textures and colours. I had the task of creating a design around the fabrics available, some of which I only had to sample. I chose to surround my design with dark shades to encompass at the top of the quilt, the lightness of the sky and the trees, in the middle the warmth of summer, the dryness of central Australia and at the bottom the rick tones of Opals, our mineral wealth and the internal heart of earth. To add excitement and texture to this design I chose 31 Australian Wildflowers including all the Australian Floral Emblems, some unusual wildflowers and favourite small wildflowers. Twice life size, these flowers have been made of silk wool and cotton, embroidered, painted and beaded by our creative and talented Hamilton Quilters, their results are fantastic! The brilliance and timeless quality of these Australian Wildflowers intensify and complement the colours of the Wool Quilt. The Quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted at quilting bees. It has a woollen batting, binding and backing which was a delight to work with and very easy to quilt. The flowers were assembled and attached in small working bees. To the fifty-two Hamilton Quilters who have worked on this quilt for six months thank you for you hard work and creativity especially Joan H. Lyons for her time, enthusiasm and knowledge when difficulties arose. Joan M. Lyons has worked with me on various stages of this Quilt, her help and support has been tremendous. To my family who have tolerated scraps of wool and silk, photographs, wildflower books and specimens and drawings which have at times almost taken over our house, a year from ideas to completion, thank you for your support and help in many ways.Multi coloured patchwork quilt with native flowers protruding from centre in a diamond shape.Embroidered on back - "The Celebration Quilt" Made in 1990 by The Hamilton Quilters, Designed by Rosemary A.O. Cameron. Made of Pure Wool. Beryl Anderson, Joan Askew, Bett Basham, Marilyn Baulch, Rau Blaby, Pauline Boyd, Aileen Beckwith, Dorothy Beveridge, Ros Brommell, Rosemary Cameron, Gwen Cook, Anne Cordner, Kaylene Cowland, Elaine Denby, Barbara Dolman, Rosalie Duffield, Helen Fry, Glennys Gardner, Nola Gunning, Margaret Irvine, Bev Jeffrey, Emma Jensen, Betty Lacy, Helen Lampard, Joan H. Lyons, Joan M. Lyons, Elaine McDonald, Carole McEwan, Joy McLeod, Joyce McLeod, Mary May, Joan Mallinson, Susan Mason, Anne Menzel, Val Mills, Betty O’Brien, Di Pettigrew, Therese Read, Sherry Robertson, Lee Rowland, Irene Saddler, Nanette Templeton, Glenys Tindall, Liz Wallis, Ruth Walter, Marion Warburton. Alison Waterman, Pat Wilmot, Nola Malcolm, Ann Nicholls, Margaret Rowe, Jill Hillier.celebration, flowers, hamilton quilters, quilt, native flowers