While many committee members have held their spots for another year, the group welcomed Teresa Carlson, Christine Sebire and Carina Doolan for the first time to the committee.
Although the steering committee takes responsibility for the larger decisions, secretary Lynne Gillard said the group invited anyone with big and bold ideas to join the group.
“We have so many jobs, we need all the help we can get,” she said.
“The steering committee get to vote on things, but everybody has a voice and everybody is listened to so we come to fairly good decisions when we’ve got a lot of people.”
On top of a new committee, the group has also recently signed a gallery design and construction contract with modular builder PreBuilt.
Modular buildings are constructed in sections in a factory setting and then transported to the desired location for assembly.
PreBuilt will begin factory construction work at the Kilsyth factory between early October and the end of March 2026.
Preparation works at the gallery site will begin on Tuesday, October 14 and run until February 2026, followed by on-site construction, which will begin in April 2026.
If all goes to plan, practical completion and handover of the gallery will happen in June 2026.
After more than 14 years of planning by the committee, Mrs Gillard said the group was excited to finally have the contract signed.
“We are delighted to have signatures on the dotted lines,” she said.
“It feels like the preliminaries are over, and the main event is starting. Everyone, watch this space – literally.”
With a busy year ahead, the committee is looking for more helpers to join subcommittees for various tasks, including establishing management systems, budget forecasting, fundraising, social media activation and planning a grand opening.
There are monthly meetings held at the Echuca library from 5pm on the second Thursday of every month, which are open to all community members.
Alternatively, for more information, contact Chris Bilkey on 0401 032 304 or email info@bridgeartproject.com.au
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