From: Michael Stretton <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>

Date: Wednesday, 6 March 2019 at 4:32 pm

To: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>

Subject: RE: URGENT: Robyn Archer Cultural Report

Thanks for your e-mail Mr Norman.

The Council's position in respect to the release of the document remains unchanged from my e-mail to you dated 24 August 2018.

Regards 

Michael

Michael Stretton I General Manager I City of Launceston T | 6323 3104 | www.launceston.tas.gov.au

From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, 5 March 2019 8:51 AM
To: Michael Stretton <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: URGENT: Robyn Archer Cultural Report

Dear Michael,

You will no doubt be unsurprised that I might still be seeking a copy of Robin Archer’s brief and ‘assessment/s of Launceston’s culture’. I note with some interest that for Thursday’s meeting there is a report in the agenda from the CREATIVE ARTS AND CULTURAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE, presenting a “Cultural Strategy Progress Report” within which Robyn Archer’s name appears.

It would appear that ‘Council(?)’ has acted upon her recommendations in whole or in part. Given that, we may have, should have, reached a point beyond your SECTION 62 determination that her submission to Council is an internal working document and is/was thus confidential. That was always contestable but I’ve chosen to bide my time.

I’ve been offered an opinion that Council did not actually furnish Ms Archer with a formal brief, is that indeed the case? Nonetheless, she has clearly reported to Council and as a cultural researcher and interested ratepayer I have an ongoing interest in this matter. 

Apart from anything else, she is reporting on a ‘culture’ that I’m assuming that I’m a part of. Also, she would have been paid a fee for her work from ratepayer funds to which I contribute. Protocols to do with ‘accountability and transparency’ also suggest that my request is realistic.

Given the current circumstances will/can you please supply the information requested of you earlier? I request that you: 

• indicate your intentions by the close of business tomorrow March 6; and 
• that you supply what information you deem appropriate by the close of business March Friday 8 given that this week is a meeting week.

I look forward to your early response.

Regards,

Ray

Ray Norman

<zingHOUSEunlimited>

The lifestyle design enterprise and research network

PH: 03-6334 2176

EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com

40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250

WEBsites:

http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com

“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison

From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>

Date: Saturday, 25 August 2018 at 2:49 pm

To: Michael Stretton <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>

Subject: RE: QVMAG Strategic Directions

 Good afternoon!

Thank you for your response to my email, indeed a rather encouraging response. That said, I must also say that the clarification you provide, sadly, has not been shared, at least not effectively to my knowledge, with the QVMAG’s ‘Community of Ownership and Interest’ – http://thequeensmusingplace.blogspot.com/p/definition.html That is regrettable. 

Nonetheless, what is most encouraging is your advocacy for “strong community engagement”. It has been my experience that Council’s/Trustee’s default position in the 20 plus years that I’ve been looking closely has been the converse. The ‘shift away’ that you seem to be projecting is welcomed. Also, it is most encouraging that the term ‘stakeholder’ is absent given that its bureaucratic elasticity in the end renders it meaningless and little more than ‘cynical bureaubabble’.

There is much more that I could say, indeed have already said, in regard to the QVMAG’s governance, its institutional accountability, its ‘audience’ engagement/participation, etc. but this is not the opportunity for that. That is except to say, that from where I have made my observations over time, for some 40 years now, serially, sequentially and somewhat surreally, the aldermen/trustees have abdicated their ‘governance role’. In fact, they have been looking away as the functions of governance and management have become increasingly blurred – and inappropriately. 

The blurring of the roles of governance and management is more than unfortunate. Largely this has left the institution to its own devices and resources. All too often this has led to unfortunate outcomes. 

In no way am I implying that the institution’s ‘operational management’ has come up wanting. However, from time to time the institution’s management masquerading as governance has by its default settings for self-service and self-congratulations has blighted significant achievements – and sadly so. 

The timeline that you’ve set out for managerial confidentiality – presumably afforded by SECTION 62 of the Act – before there can be ‘community inclusion’ is way too long. It’s especially so given that we are weeks away from an election. If Council is intent on conscripting funding from ratepayers for a largely unarticulated and poorly understood ‘cultural strategy’, as things stand, it is not signalling anything resembling accountability and transparency. If we are to include equitable inclusion along with participatory, consensus oriented and responsive decision making the timeline for inclusion within moral and ethical bounds the time has almost passed – perhaps it has actually passed.

You encourage me to participate in “the engagement process”.  I need no encouragement to do so as I’ve shown over the time that I’ve been researching the QVMAG as an institution. 

To reiterate, I am encouraged by your response and I look forward to some real progress and especially so in regard to the QVMAG’s governance –  sooner rather than later!

Regards,

Ray

Ray Norman

<zingHOUSEunlimited>

The lifestyle design enterprise and research network

PH: 03-6334 2176

EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com

40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250

WEBsites:

http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com

https://thezinghouse.blogspot.com/

“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison

Disclaimer: Whilst all due care and attention has been given to the compilation of this report, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. Nor should this report be considered as constituting professional advice. Parties wishing to use or act on any of the contents of this report are advised to seek their own, independent  advice before doing so. 

From: Michael Stretton <Michael.Stretton@launceston.tas.gov.au>

Date: Friday, 24 August 2018 at 3:04 pm

To: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>

Cc: Mayor <Mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>

Subject: RE: QVMAG Strategic Directions

Thanks for your interest in these important matters Mr Norman.

At this stage I can only confirm my earlier advice that the Towards a Cultural Strategy document prepared by Robyn Archer AO remains an internal working document . The document was considered by the Council at its meeting on 24 April 2017 (Agenda item 21.1) and a link to the agenda is provided as follows: https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/Agendas-Minutes?dlv_OC%20CL%20Public%20Meetings=(pageindex=5)  Similarly, the report which has been prepared by Hirst Projects is also an internal working document which will not be released at this time.

I can advise that Hirst Projects will be furthering their initial work and will be producing the City's inaugural Cultural Strategy over the next few months. This process will involve strong community engagement. Robyn Archer will also continue her consulting role on the project.  I encourage you to participate in this engagement process, the details of which will be publicised in the near future. 

The above-mentioned document are informing the development of the Cultural Strategy which will be completed and released by the end of the year.  This Strategy document will provide the information you are seeking and I ask for your patience to enable the Council to complete this important work.

Regards 

Michael

Michael Stretton I General Manager I City of Launceston T | 6323 3104 | www.launceston.tas.gov.au

Good afternoon Michael,

I‘ve received the newsletter below and I’m wondering if it was intended that it would be an adequate response to my email to you dated 12.11.2018. If so, it does not, given that I’m aiming to ‘go to source’in my contextualisation.

For some time, as I’ve said before, I’ve doubted that such documentation even existed but Richard held aloft paper documents he claimed to be ‘Robin Archer’s report’ at a public meeting. Also, I’ve heard other reports that it existed but nobody has yet been able throw any light upon what it had to say or why it should be secret. This is quite mystifying.

This matter is of particular interest to me currently given the point that I’ve arrived at in my research and the contextualisation. I would appreciate a response in regard to when, and under what circumstances, I might be able to access the information that I’m seeking as soon as you are able provide it.

Please see below for further information relevant to my research – see links below.

Regards,

Ray

Ray Norman

<zingHOUSEunlimited>

The lifestyle design enterprise and research network

PH: 03-6334 2176

EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com

40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250

WEBsites:

http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com

https://thezinghouse.blogspot.com/

“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison

Disclaimer: Whilst all due care and attention has been given to the compilation of this report, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. Nor should this report be considered as constituting professional advice. Parties wishing to use or act on any of the contents of this report are advised to seek their own, independent advice before doing so.

SEE

https://culturalstrategy7250.blogspot.com/

https://culturalstrategy7250.blogspot.com/p/have-your-say-on-our-cultural.html

&

https://culturalstrategy7250.blogspot.com/p/httpsyourvoiceyourlaunceston.html

&

https://culturalstrategy7250.blogspot.com/p/are-we-building-porsche.html

From: City of Launceston - Arts and Culture <ArtsandCulture@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Reply-To: City of Launceston - Arts and Culture <ArtsandCulture@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Date: Wednesday, 14 November 2018 at 4:37 pm
To: Mr Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Subject: Arts and Culture Newsletter - City of Launceston

View this email in your browser     Home     About     Exhibitions     Events     News     Support     Contact Subscribe    TOWARDS A CULTURAL STRATEGY    Update  We are very conscious that culture is a complex and nuanced subject.  To help explain its connectivity and impact on the vibrancy of a community we have developed this short animation. It is a simplified take on a complex subject but we are hopeful it will help articulate how important it is in building a vibrant creative and cultural life. The public survey campaign on Your Voice Your Launceston will be extended to 26 November to provide further opportunities for the community, in particular artists, creatives and cultural practitioners, to contribute to the current campaign. There is a second survey embedded into this campaign that focusses on the Creative Industries Sector. The aim is to gather measurable data around Creative Practitioners in Launceston and to gain an oversight of the Creative Industries that are involved with Launceston. To access the survey click here.   HIRST PROJECTS       Hirst Projects have delivered the QVMAG Feasibility Study for Council which was the first major piece of work to be delivered by the Arts and Culture Unit. Building on this we are now entering the second phase which is the Cultural Strategy.   The City of Launceston, Robyn Archer AO and Hirst projects have already carried out a significant amount of research and planning on the cultural strategy for the City of Launceston. Hirst Projects will be delivering the next phase of this exciting project and Robyn Archer AO will be involved in an advisory capacity and strategic lead on the overall vision endorsed by Council in 2017. BOOKMARK THE DATE    An evening with Tracy Puklowski  Join us for an evening's conversation with the new Director of Creative Arts and Cultural Services, Tracy Puklowski. When: Tuesday 4 December 2018, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Where: Queen Victoria Art Gallery, 2 Wellington Street, Launceston RSVP:  artsandculture@launceston.tas.gov.au    Copyright © 2018 Creative Arts and Cultural Services | City of LauncestonAll rights reserved.    Street Address: The Battery Shed, Barnard's Way, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston  TAS  7205 Postal Address: PO Box 396, Launceston   TAS   7250 E:  ArtsandCulture@launceston.tas.gov.au T:  (03) 6323 3770    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Subscribe

This email was sent to raynorman7250@bigpond.com  why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery · 2 Invermay Rd, Invermay, Tasmania, Australia · Invermay, TAS 7248 · Australia