Historical information

This item was created for Wodonga Historical Society by the artist, Betty L. Barberis in 2009. Betty Barberis nee Barton was one of 12 children born to Roderick Barton and Myrtle Ann Hore of Gundowring in the Kiewa Valley. She was born in 1927 and attended Upper Gundowring Primary School. Betty was encouraged to enter a project for the "Young Farmers" by illustrating a book. She won first prize for Victoria and the book was exhibited at the Royal Melbourne Show. This resulted in Betty attaining a Manual Art Teacher's Studentship which she completed at Wangaratta Technical School. Here she learned many new skills ranging from garment design to ceramics. She also attended Melbourne Teachers College. Betty created many decorative banners, the first being for the Australian section of the World Scout Jamboree in 1948. Over her long career she was to create many other banners and commissioned work, including this banner created for Wodonga Historical Society and featuring the Wodonga Water Tower.

Betty’s great body of work included landscapes, millinery, ceramics, and a bronze sculpture of her husband Vern Barberis who was a fellow schoolteacher and represented Australia as a weightlifter, winning a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. She also illustrated several books and had exhibitions in many galleries including in Albury.
Betty passed away at The Grange, Wodonga on 26 November 2013.

Significance

This banner was created by a renowned and highly regarded artist from Northeast Victoria.

Physical description

A large velvet banner created for the Wodonga Historical Society by noted local artist Betty L. Barberis. It is mounted on a pine rod and features an image of the water tower in Wodonga, Victoria. The majority of the banner is hand stitched.

Inscriptions & markings

Around the edge of the central image: "Wodonga Historical Society Victoria.