Former Mayor Gail Sellers has been honoured for her decades of dedication to shining a light on, and nurturing, Gladstone’s talented arts community with the naming of a gallery at the Gladstone Art Gallery and Museum.
Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett led the tributes as he opened the Gail Sellers Community Gallery with Mrs Sellers, her husband Tony, sister Cheryl McMurtrie, children Todd, Abi and Kirsten and grandchildren Jude, Florence and Sid there to share the special family moment.
Mayor Matt Burnett said Mrs Sellers, who entered local government in 1988 and served as Deputy Mayor from 1997-2008 and Mayor from 2010-2016, had long been a passionate champion of the arts in the community.
“Throughout her career and to this day, Gail has shown an unwavering commitment to the gallery and museum and to our artistic communities,” Cr Burnett said.
“The gallery and museum staff fondly reminisce about their excitement when Gail, a person with numerous commitments, would spontaneously pop into the gallery and museum and immerse herself in the joy of art.
“Gail helped launch many exhibitions for emerging and seasoned artists alike, including Margaret Worthington, Pam Tanner, Irene Sparks, Rosemary Anderson, Jo WIlliams, Val Anderson and Beryl Wood to name a few.
Cr Burnett said at the core of Gail’s passion was her deep connection with the Zonta Club, an organisation dedicated to supporting women.
“As long as I have known Gail, he has spoken about the limitless opportunities ahead for women, encouraging empowerment and equality,” he said.
“The gallery and museum holds cherished memories of Gail’s unwavering support during the 2019 exhibition commemorating 100 Years of Zonta.
“Zonta members celebrating with us today would understand the extraordinary spirit of this remarkable woman.”
Mrs Sellers said she was deeply humbled by the honour, which she said was not just a personal accolade, but a testament to the collective efforts of all those who stood alongside her throughout what she described as an “incredible journey”.
“To my family and friends, who have been my pillars of strength and given me unwavering support throughout this journey, I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid,” she said.
“Serving our community has been the greatest privilege of my life, and every moment has been a lesson in humility, determination, compassion, patience and resilience.”
Mrs Seller said the former Gladstone Town Hall building held a special place in her heart, not just as a gallery, but one that shaped childhood memories.
“From the early age of four, accompanying my mother to pay rates at the counter, riding my bike each Saturday morning into the library which was downstairs, performing on the town hall stage, attending a town hall meeting about the building of a new entertainment centre which was the catalyst for my local government journey,” she said.
Gallery and museum curator Claire Robinson presented Mrs Sellers with a book which was a collection of images and memories from her time in the gallery and museum.
