Eileen Mackley AM VAS FVAS is retiring as the President of the Victorian Artists Society after a period of eight years leading the Society, including four years managing the $2.5 million total restoration of the Heritage Victoria National Trust Listed building.

For the past eight years Eileen has led the Victorian Artists Society, along with Council members, on a period of major reform to ensure that VAS remains a special place for current and future artists, as it has been for over 150 years. 

We have chosen just a few of the very special moments in the eight year journey to provide members and supporters of the Society the opportunity to capture the spirit and some of the great achievements during Eileen’s time as President of the Victorian Artists Society.  

Ron Smith HON FVAS, VAS Councillor Communications
Shirley Baynes-Smith, Editor, VAS Newsletters

The restoration of the Victorian Artists Society

Victorian Artists Society Visits Parliament House 22 March 2017

The Victorian Parliament saw one of the quietest demonstrations in its history when members of the Victorian Artists Society took to the famous steps to paint and sketch the historic building and streetscapes of Melbourne. 

Sir Arthur Streeton's 150th Birthday Celebrations held on 7 April 2017 at the
Victorian Artists Society

The Hon. Richard Wynne, Victorian Minister for Planning visits the Victorian Artists Society

The Hon. Richard Wynne, Victorian Minister for Planning inspects the final stages of the $2.5 million heritage restoration of the Victorian Artists Society on 11 August 2019.
Left: Architect Rosa Luz Chiari; The Hon. Richard Wynne, Victorian Minister for Planning; 
Eileen Mackley AM, President of the Victorian Artists Society, and Ron Smith, VAS Councillor inspecting the heritage restoration.

Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC, officially launched the Victorian Artists Society’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations on
11 March 2020.

The 150th celebrations of the Victorian Artists Society coincided with the completion of a major $2.5 million heritage restoration of the Heritage Victoria National Trust Listed building over the past four years by the Society under the guidance of its President, Eileen Mackley AM. 

Members of the Victorian Artists Society Council with Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC.
 
1st row left: Eileen Mackley AM, President of the Victorian Artists Society; Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC; Ron Smith, Council Member.

2nd row left: Hylton Mackley AM, Council Member; Maxine Wain, Council Member; Meg Davoren-Honey OAM, Council Member.

3rd row left: Rachel Robertson, Council Member; John Hurle, Council Member; Rosemary Noble, Council Member; Radmila Hardi, Council Member; Sue Ireland, Council Member.

4th row left: Fred Toumayan, Council Member; Bruce Baldey, Council Member.