Historical information

St Andrews Primary School was one of thirteen primary schools and one high school to participate in the banner project. A picture of the St Andrews Primary School banner was included in page 10 of The banner habits of the Eltham tribes : Eltham Shire "as we are" Community Banner Project report /​ by Jacky Talbot.

The 'As We Are' Community Banner Project was the first major Community Arts project initiated and co-ordinated through the resources of the Shire of Eltham. It was originally conceived and inspired by a local textile artist, Tracey Naughton, who, together with the Community Services Manager of this local government council, made the idea a very concrete and flourishing reality.

The project grew from the original fourteen or so intending participant groups to fifty-seven banners; expressions of those diverse groups' interests and identities. As a first major project it was rightly felt by Tracey Naughton, who became the Shire's first Community Arts Officer in March 1985, that it should be fully documented, so that an appraisal of the extensive growth of this community arts development process could be assessed.

Given the time and money available to do this, Jacky Talbot, and her advisors, decided it was appropriate to select fifteen or twenty banners for detailed analysis. This was done by taping interviews with members of the chosen groups. The groups were chosen to cover all ages participating, from the toddlers in the Playhouse to our grand elder citizens in their Nursing Horne, and to cover a wide range of different types of groups - schools, scouts, churches, youth issue based, and the numerous women's groups of various combinations, localities and concerns. ·.

Some groups who presented their banners for the culminating highlight of this project - the Exhibition, held at the Eltham Community Centre on October 9th, 1986, had no contact with the Shire or project co-ordinator, but heard about the project through the local news' networks or other participants.

The extent of community participation was enormous. It involved hundreds and hundreds of people. It changed some people's lives, enlivened others. As a first step on a new road its success is notable.

The 'As We Are' Community Banner Project took place in the Shire of Eltham and neighbouring environs for approximately 12 months, from October 1985.

Physical description

35mm colour positive transparency
Mount - Card