Honoured to be Australian
By Ashlea Maher
20 November 2009 17:15
as reported on Australian Times
Isla Baring was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) during a glittering evening at Australia House on Thursday, celebrating her work helping young Australians in the Arts in the UK. The art of supporting Australian artists in the UK has been a driving passion for Isla Baring OAM for the last 17 years, and these efforts have now been honoured at the highest level.
Mrs Baring was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) at Australia House on Thursday evening for service to the Arts.
Isla Baring OAM with her granddaughter Maggie, photo by Paul Szewczyk allPhotoLondon.com
The OAM was presented to Ms Baring by the Australian High Commissioner John Dauth LVO, and a formal comment from Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce was read before the presentation.
Ms Baring, founder of the Tait Memorial Trust, was chosen as a recipient for the award due to the work the charity organisations performs in the UK.
Baring founded The Tait Memorial Trust in 1992 in memory of her father, Sir Frank Tait, and his brothers – prominent figures in Australian theatre, music and opera.
The trust helps support young Australian musicians and dancers while they are studying in the UK, offering grants, performance opportunities and career guidance.
Since 1992, the Tait Memorial Trust has raised over £100,000 to fund grants given grants to young artists and performers in the UK.
John Amis, Master of Ceremonies said,
This is a tremendous achievement
Special guest, Australian actor Bryan Brown acknowledged Mrs Baring’s ongoing work in the UK.
Money goes up and down, we all know that, but art is forever. Good on you, Isla
Ms Baring said the honour was hers. She took the opportunity to thank the volunteer trust committee.
We’re a small organisation, but the work we achieve makes a difference.
The OAM ceremony was part of a fundraising and arts evening host by the Trust at the Australian High Commission.
Mr Brown hosted a spirited fundraising auction, raising in excess of £5000 for the trust on the night. Lots included a portrait session with celebrated Australian artist June Mendoza as well as Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev’s Yves Saint Laurent designer ballet shorts, or “Rudy’s knickers” as Brown dubbed them.
Attendees were also treated to performances by Australian pianist Leslie Howard, baritone Jeremy Vinogradov, National Ballet School student Chelsea Andrejic and Rambert School of Ballet student Jessica Lyall.
Photo by Paul Szewczyk allPhotoLondon.com
Email info@taitmemorialtrust.org for more details and reply form
Recent Past Events
Thursday 25 June
An Australian Choral Evensong
with the Choir of Westminster Abbey
at Westminster Abbey
5pm at Westminster Abbey London SW1P 3JX
Evensong is a daily public service at the Abbey and all are welcome to attend. On 25 June the musical elements of Choral Evensong will be by Australian composers, past and present.
Following Evensong, The Tait Memorial Trust is offering a reception and recital, hosted by The Reverend Graeme Napier, Minor Canon, in his 17th century house overlooking the Abbey’s garden. Young Australian musicians will perform.
Entrance for the reception is by a suggested donation of £30 per person. A limited number of spaces are available. The reception will be preceded by a private tour of the Abbey following immediately on from Evensong.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Royal Over-Seas League
A Celebration Of Young Australian Music Talent
The Royal Over-Seas League and the Tait Memorial Trust present a celebration of young Australian music talent including Amy Dickson saxophone, cellist Yelian He, violinist Katerina Mitchell , pianists Jayson Gillham and Michael Ierace. Our annual performance platform of popular classics. A glass of sparkling wine is served at 6.45 and the concert will be followed by a reception.
Tickets are £25 and available from ROSL at www.roslarts.co.uk or phone 020 7408 0214 x324.
6.30 for 7pm ROSL, Princess Alexandra Hall St James’s Street London SW1A 1LR
Further details to follow, please email info@taitmemorialtrust.org
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Prokofiev: A Life of Music
John Amis and our young Tait Awardees
John Amis together with Mary Jean O’Doherty, James Homann, Amir Farid and Claire Howard present an evening on Prokofiev. Works to include Diabolique Opus 4, Toccata Opus 11, War and Peace arias, The Love of Three Oranges, Songs Without Words, Peter and the Wolf and Alexander Nevsky. Tickets £20
7 for 7.30pm 49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London SW7
49 QGT
A Winter Serenade of Strings with The Chamber Strings of Melbourne
22th January 2009 6.45 for 7pm
St. Paul’s in Knightsbridge, SW1X
with guests of honour
HE Mr John Dauth LVO, Australian High Commissioner
Councillor Joanna Gardner, Mayor of the Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
Piano Antony Gray
Suggested donation of £25 per ticket, includes drink and canapés please phone 020 7385 2719 or email info@taitmemorialtrust.org
Bach Concerto in D minor for 2 violins
Barber Adagio For Strings
Telemann Concerto in G major for Viola & Strings
Elgar Elegy Op 58
Williamson Concerto No. 2 for Piano & Strings
Arensky Variations On A Theme Of Tchaikovsky
Lunchtime concert on 21st January 2009
St. Margaret’s in Westminster 1PM
The Tait Memorial Trust to Celebrate Australia Day
with guest of honour
Mr David Buckingham, Agent-General for Victoria
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
Admission by donation to St. Margaret’s. Please email info@taitmemorialtrust.org or
telephone 020 7385 2719 for more details.
Purcell Chacony in G Minor
Martin Sicilienne for Viola & String Orchestra
Vivaldi L’estro Armonico Concerto X Op 3
Sculthorpe Port Essington
In Scotland on 11th January 2009
Paisley Abbey in Paisley Scotland 3PM
Purcell Chacony in G Minor
Telemann Concerto in G Major for Viola & Strings
Barber Adagio for Strings
Arensky Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky
Sibelius Romanze for Strings
Vivaldi Concerto for two Violins in A minor
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
For further information email info@paisleyabbey.org.uk or telephone 0141 889 7654.
All 2009 Events
2009
11th January
Paisley Abbey
Paisley, Scotland
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
21st January
Lunchtime concert
St. Margaret’s in Westminster
The Tait Memorial Trust to Celebrate Australia Day
with guest of honour
Mr David Buckingham, Agent-General for Victoria
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
22nd January
St. Paul’s Knightsbridge
A Winter Serenade of Strings
with The Chamber Strings of Melbourne
with guests of honour
HE Mr John Dauth LVO, Australian High Commissioner
Councillor Joanna Gardner,
Mayor of the Royal Borough Kensington and Chelsea
Director of Music Christopher Martin
Orchestra Leader Felicité Heine
Piano Antony Gray
18th March
RUSH HOUR
49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, SW7
Prokofiev: A Life of Music
John Amis and our young Tait Awardees
Mary Jean O’Doherty, soprano
James Homann, baritone
Amir Farid, piano
Claire Howard, piano
20th April
RUSH HOUR
49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, SW7
Brad Cooper, tenor
Valda Wilson, soprano
19th May
Princess Alexandra Hall, Royal Over-Seas League
The Royal Over-Seas League and the Tait Memorial Trust present
A Celebration Of Young Australian Music Talent
Amy Dickson, saxophone
Yelian He, cello
Katerina Mitchell, violin
Jayson Gillham, piano
Michael Ierace, piano
25th June
Westminster Abbey
An Australian Choral Evensong
with the Choir of Westminster Abbey
hosted by The Reverend Graeme Napier, Minor Canon
29th September
The Cinema Hall
Australia House
Henry Purcell
ENGLAND, MY ENGLAND!
Michael Ball as Henry Purcell and Simon Callow as Charles II
Film by Tony Palmer
1st November
Isla Baring OAM award ceremony concert
John Amis, Master of Ceremonies
Leslie Howard, piano
Jeremy Vinogradov, baritone
Chelsea Andrejic, National Ballet School student
Jessica Lyall, Rambert School of Ballet student